Stefan Pidluznyj, Local Democracy Reporter

Ambitious plans to turn Viking House in Lincoln into student accommodation and demolish the former Taste of Marrakesh restaurant have been submitted.

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-aproved plans as they felt student accommodation would be better suited for the refurbishment of the second building.

Viking House next to the One the Brayford development

Over 200 student bed spaces would be created as part of Jackson & Jackson Developments proposals next to the Brayford waterfront which, if approved, would be split into two stages.

The first phase would see the conversion of the five-storey vacant Viking House building which was last used by the Department for Work and Pensions.

Viking House would be refurbished, with the design set to take inspiration from the neighbouring One the Brayford development.

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

A new four-storey extension would be built, connecting Viking House to Newland.

Numbers 100, 102, 104 on Newland, the former offices of CAD Associates Architects, would also be turned into student accommodation.

All this work would create a total of 160 bed spaces.

The former Taste of Marrakesh restaurant would be demolished

Phase two of the project would see the Taste of Marrakesh demolished to make way for a three and four-storey building used for student accommodation.

Further student apartments would be provided in a four-storey building south of 100, 102 and 104 Newland, which is currently a car park.

The second phase of development would see 76 bed spaces added to the site.

Dominik Jackson, of Jackson & Jackson Developments, said that the development would significantly improve the character and appearance of the area.

He said: “Following the recent vacation of Viking House and given the success of One The Brayford, we are looking forward to continuing to develop within this area of the city.

“We had originally planned to convert the Viking House building into an apartment scheme. However, the University of Lincoln’s success with 2018 applicants and the medical school, combined with the opportunity to acquire surrounding buildings, caused us to reconsider the scheme and what is best for the site.

“As a result, we have decided to separate Viking House from One The Brayford to provide a standalone student scheme for the university, entered from Newland.

“Ninety-Eight Newland will incorporate the former CAD Architecture and the Taste of Marrakesh restaurant.

“Throughout the pre-application process we have worked closely with senior officers from the council’s planning and conservation teams. The scheme will combine modern and old architecture with glass links and significantly improve the street scene as well as the character and appearance of the West Parade and Brayford conservation area.”

City of Lincoln Council’s Planning Committee will consider the plans at a later date.

Lincoln residents go to the polls on May 3 to elect 11 councillors to represent them.

Ahead of election day, The Lincolnite spoke to representatives from the four parties fielding candidates in all wards (Labour, Conservative, Liberal Democrats and Green).

The representatives were city council leader Ric Metcalfe (Labour), opposition group leader Ron Hills (Conservative), Liberal Democrat parliamentary spokesperson Caroline Kenyon and former Green Party leader Natalie Bennett.

The interviews focused on each party’s views on main issues facing Lincoln over the next few years such as government funding, congestion, health and wellbeing, housing and homelessness.

City of Lincoln Council is Labour controlled, with the party holding 26 of the 33 seats, with six Conservatives and one Independent.

Even if Labour loses all nine seats it is defending, it will still retain overall control of the council.

Watch the interviews with the party representatives to find out more about the issues affecting the city.

Below is a list of candidates for each ward in full. The party defending each ward is highlighted in bold:

Abbey

• Bill Bilton – Labour (Councillor Pete West is not standing for re-election)
• Richard Butroid – Conservative
• Edward Francis – Green
• Clare Smalley – Liberal Democrat

Birchwood

• Alan Briggs – Conservative
• Adam Carnie – Liberal Democrat
• Paul Gowen – Labour and Co-operative
• Ben Loryman – Green
• Elaine Warde – UKIP

Boultham

• Kian Hearnshaw – Liberal Democrat
• Gary Hewson – Labour and Co-operative
• Simon Pouncey – Conservative
• Simon Tooke – Green

Carholme

• James Brown – Liberal Democrat
• Andrew Dunn – UKIP
• Laura McWilliams – Labour and Co-operative (Councillor Tony Speakman is not standing for re-election)
• Kateryna Salvador – Conservative
• Nicola Watson – Green

Castle

• Lynne Allison – Green
• Diana Catton – Liberal Democrat
• Tom Roche – Conservative
• Loraine Woolley – Labour

Glebe

• Jenine Butroid – Conservative
• Stephen Lonsdale – Liberal Democrat
• Fiona McKenna – Green
• Pat Vaughan – Labour

Hartsholme

• Liz Bushell – Labour
• Jamie Gurden – Liberal Democrat
• Andy Kerry – Conservative
• John Radford – Green

Minster

• Ivan Chafen – Green
• Rebecca Longbottom – Labour
• Liz Maxwell – Independent (Councillor Maxwell was elected as a Labour candidate in 2016 but is now standing as an Independent)
• Nicole Pouncey – Liberal Democrat
• Christopher Reid – Conservative

Moorland

• Sharon Longthorne – Conservative
• Adrianna McNulty – Labour
• Christopher Padley – Green
• Ross Pepper – Liberal Democrat

Park

• Natasha Chapman – Liberal Democrat
• Sally Horscroft – Green
• Helena Mair – Labour
• Oliver Peeke – Conservative
• Tony Todd – UKIP

Witham

• George Hill – Liberal Democrat
• Jane Loffhagen – Labour
• Michele Servaud – Green
• Hilton Spratt – Conservative