September 25, 2020 3.58 pm This story is over 41 months old

Former Lincoln police station could house key workers

The Hive project needs government cash

The former central Lincoln police station building could be used as affordable accommodation for key workers.

The Hive was one of 15 projects discussed by the Lincoln Town Deal Board on Friday, which is hoping to attracted around £25 million in government funding to the city.

In a brief outline, the £11 million project is described as “re-purposing of redundant public estate to deliver city living, digital learning and workspaces.”

It needs to receive £4million from the government’s £3.6 billion Town Deal funding announced last July.

As part of discussions, this was revealed as one of the proposals for the former West Parade Police Station.

The former Lincoln Police Station on West Parade | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

CEO of YMCA Lincolnshire Caroline Killeavy, part of the Investors in Lincoln partnership, confirmed the scheme was “specifically designed as an affordable housing scheme for key workers”.

This could include carers or police officers in training or nurses that might be in their first jobs.

Following the meeting, she told Local Democracy Reporter Daniel Jaines that discussions about the options were still ongoing with Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones.

“For us, it’s a hugely important landmark and part of Lincoln’s heritage and in future years we will start to value that a lot more,” she said.

“It’s an opportunity to think a bit more about how Lincoln can be regenerated.”

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner Marc Jones said he was “committed to finding a sustainable and long-term future use” which benefited the whole community.

“It would be easy to simply sell-off the building, but I want to find a plan which can have a positive and lasting impact in the city,” he said.

“I am looking at a number of options, one of which is working in partnership with Investors in Lincoln, and I hope I will be in a position to unveil more detailed plans in the near future.”

Officers moved into their new base on South Park in November 2019 and the building has stood empty and boarded up since.

The town board on Friday voted to create a small group of independent people, including Lincoln MP Karl McCartney, to prioritise the final 15 projects proposed.

They include a late addition request for £500,000 funding from the Lincoln Greyfriars towards plans to create a heritage centre, museum and community venue.

A final draft of the proposals is hoped to go before City of Lincoln Council’s executive board on October 26 with a final submission made by October 29.