Controversial plans to turn a Lincoln West End pub into flats look set to be approved next week, despite a campaign against them.
City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee will be asked to give the go-ahead to Nigel Delahey’s proposals for the West End Tap.
The development will convert the pub and its upstairs flat into two maisonettes and build a new home to the rear by demolishing the existing outbuildings.
The owners have submitted evidence to the council which claims the venue has become unviable as a business since it was bought in 2013.
They said the building has had more than £250,000 of investment, has been incorporated into another business and has been leased to a tenant.
They also claim the pub has been associated with criminal activity, violence and confrontation and anti-social behaviour.
Next Wednesday, officers will recommend approval.
In a report to councillors they said: “It is considered that the proposed extension and proposed new build would be an appropriate addition to the street scene and would have no adverse impact on residential amenity.
“The change of use would also be appropriate given the surrounding residential uses. It is therefore considered that the proposal accords with national and local planning policy.”
Existing and proposed elevations and floor plans. | Photo: Lincs Design Consultancy Ltd
The plans have received more than 60 objections, including a representation from the Keep the Tap Running Group, which recently applied successfully to mark the building as an asset of community value – despite a previous appeal overturning another successful 2021 bid.
Officers said the move places little weight on the planning process and cannot prevent planning permission, but to achieve the status the applicants had to demonstrate that the current use “furthers the social wellbeing or social interests of the local community, and it is realistic to think that the future use of the asset will further the social wellbeing of the community”.
The ACV comes into action when the owner disposes of the property through sale or other method, and will activate a six-week period to allow community interest groups to make bids for the property.
If one is made, there is another six months in which the owner can sell only to the groups making bids – however, once ended the owner is free to sell to whoever they choose and for whatever price they want.
If approved the property would be subject to a Section 106 order banning it from being occupied by students.
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Lincolnshire Independents have won the Sleaford by-election by just six votes.
Bob Oldershaw will be the new councillor for Sleaford Quarrington & Mareham after an extremely close contest.
The by-election was triggered by the resgination of North Kesteven Conservative Councillor Michael Kent.
Results were announced late on Thursday, with two candidates almost neck and neck.
Bob Oldershaw, representing the Lincolnshire Independents (Sleaford), received 545 votes.
Mark Anthony Smith of the Conservative party received 539 votes.
Labour party candidate Paul Andrew Edwards-Shea came in third with 287 votes.
Lincolnshire Independents posted: “Huge thanks to residents in Sleaford, Quarrington, Mareham and Greylees for turning out to vote and for supporting Lincolnshire Independent, Bob Oldershaw.
“Delighted to announce that Bob is our newly elected councillor at North Kesteven Council with 545 votes. It was close, showing just how much your vote counts.”
The overall election turnout was 22.8%.
The ward is also represented by Conservative Councillors Bozena Allan and Melody Shanahan-Kluth.
We are appealing for witnesses following the death of a 50-year-old woman at a property in London Road, Boston.
We were called to reports of a disturbance at the property at 9.36pm last night (26 May). On arrival, officers found the woman in medical distress. Sadly, despite the best efforts of emergency services on scene and at hospital, she was pronounced dead in the early hours of this morning.
An investigation in to the circumstances which have led to her death has now been opened and we are keeping an open mind about all aspects, including cause of death, as we begin our enquiries.
A 52-year-old woman, a 37-year-old man, and a 38-year-old woman were arrested at the scene on suspicion of GBH and all three remain in custody where they are being interviewed.
Detective Inspector Richard Nethercott is leading the investigation. He said: “We are in the very early stages of investigating this incident to understand what has happened, and we would like to appeal to our community for any help they can offer us in piecing things together.
“Perhaps you heard or saw something between 9pm and 10pm last night, or captured something on CCTV or dashcam in the same timeframe which might give us more information, or maybe you have other information which could help. Any detail, no matter how big or small, could end up being a key piece of evidence for us. We’d rather have as much to work with as possible than miss a key fact or detail.
“As well as ask for your help, we’d also like to offer some reassurance that although it might be worrying to hear about this incident, we know that the individuals were known to each other and we believe this to be an isolated incident. We remain on the scene and there may be a more visible police presence in the area while we carry out our enquiries.”
If you can help, there are a number of ways to get in touch:
By calling 101 quoting incident number 443 of 26 May.
By emailing [email protected] and putting incident number 443 of 26 May in the subject line.
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can report via the independent charity CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111 or online.
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