Sarah Barker

Plans to convert the former Viking House building in Lincoln into student flats have been approved with a further expansion.

The proposals, which initially mapped out around 200 student rooms across two phases of building works were given initial support by the city council in May.

Further outline plans submitted by Jackson and Jackson Developments were then given the green light by the City of Lincoln Council last week, consisting of an extra 272 student rooms.

Building work will now see the demolition of the Taste of Marrakesh restaurant and a new building incorporating a, partially subterranean, four and five storey building.

Plans will also see the erection of a four storey building that will be positioned to the south of Nos. 100-104 Newland.

The former Taste of Marrakesh restaurant would be demolished

Numbers 100, 102 and 104 Newland would be turned into student apartments

Viking House next to the One the Brayford development

Viking House was initially included in the application for new luxury flats on the waterfront known as One the Brayford, which has already seen Mill House converted into private apartments.

Developers have now reconsidered pre-approved plans as they felt student accommodation would be better suited for the refurbishment of the second building.

Dominik Jackson, director of Jackson & Jackson Developments, said: “Whilst the university’s expansion is a huge success story, the increased student numbers creates a lot of challenges in the housing sector in Lincoln, which is why we saw the importance of using this space to fill that gap in the market.

“We have done a lot of work in improving the Brayford area and are pleased to be delivering another well-designed and modern development in the city.

“We worked very closely with the planning and conservation officers at the council on the design and functionality of the site and are proud of the outcome.

“We are pleased to see works starting on phase one now and look forward to delivering this scheme in the centre of Lincoln for students to enjoy for many years to come.”

The build programme, which is being delivered by local construction company LGG Projects, is expected to reach completion by September 2019.

More than 60,000 visitors flew through the gates at the Lincolnshire Showground this week, for one of the busiest show years to date.

Advanced ticket sales for the show, which took place on June 20 and 21 at Lincolnshire Showground, were up compared to the previous year at every stage and this theme continued on the gate with the Showground team reporting an increase in footfall.

The show, which is organised by the Lincolnshire Agricultural Society, included an aviation zone to mark the RAF100, and also saw flypast from a Dakota, Spitfire and the RAF Red Arrows.

Key entertainment highlights included a stunning parachute display from the RAF Falcons, as well as a series of flyovers and a dazzling Red Arrows display, a fantastic united retrievers dog show and the grand parade of livestock, where visitors viewed the Show’s award-winning sheep, cattle and horses in the Main Ring.

Lincolnshire Show by the numbers

• Visitors over the two days – 60,000
• Students attended – 6,000
• Youngest visitor – Fabian, just 4 days old
• Eldest visitor – Hedley Needler, 100 years old
• Trade stands – 600
• Money spent in the county in conjunction with visiting the
• Lincolnshire Show (in 2017) – £3.5 million
• Equine class entries – 1,300
• Sheep – Over 530
• Cows – Over 200
• Ice creams sold – 20,832
• Average visitor spend on food & gifts – £71
• Veterans in attendance – 2 Bomber Command, 2 firefighters, 8 British Legion & 4 RAF Association

Jayne Southall, CEO of the Lincolnshire Showground, said: “This year’s show has been a roaring success – we’ve had beautiful weather, a great turn out and some fantastic entertainment and animal showcases and I think the food and shopping just improves year on year.”