- Market Place Construction – Start Date: 15th April 2024; End Date: August 2024
- Station Approach Construction – Start Date: 1st November 2024; End Date: March 2025
£4.19m Grantham town centre transformation to begin
A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reinvigorate Grantham town centre with £4.19 million from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund is about to get under way.
The money, secured through a bid by South Kesteven District Council, will transform the Market Place and the Conduit, where refurbished public toilets will be reopened. A second phase will improve the town approach from the railway station to create a pedestrian-led environment.
The Future High Streets Fund is for designated work and can only be used on this project.
The plans were drawn up with input from Grantham residents, alongside businesses and strategic stakeholders, who were asked to list priorities for the town.
Key partners include SKDC councillors and officers, the University of Lincoln, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, the National Trust, St Wulfram’s Church, Grantham College, Grantham Business Club, Grantham Museum, the Woodland Trust and local landowners.
The project will raise the road height of the Market Place to create a single level open space, able to host a regular programme of town centre events. At other times it will be a central open space in a pedestrian-led area with fewer cars.
Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Finance and Economic Development, Cllr Ashley Baxter said: “This exciting project is intended to make the town centre an even better place for people to live in, work and visit. We are creating a formal ‘heart’ of Grantham; a traffic-calmed public open space to provide a focus for events and a town centre oasis for visitors to enjoy.”
The work will re-establish a gathering point for residents and visitors, providing an attractive and vibrant place where more people spend more time enjoying the town centre. The SKDC vision will bring a busy Market Place that appeals to the people of Grantham and further afield, fuelled by a new a sense of civic pride.
The Market Place improvements will link through to a rebuilt pedestrian route from the Grantham Railway Station, with clear walkways across the five-road junction to Westgate as a more effective connection to the town centre.
Recent support work has taken place in the cultural quarter of the Arts Centre, Guildhall and cinema near St Peter’s Hill, with the blue-green corridor of the River Witham nearby. The heritage quarter around St Wulfram’s Church links to the historic environment through Westgate with its 18th and 19th Century buildings.
This follows an earlier announcement that several roads in the area are due to be reconstructed before the end of the year, with a promise that disruption will be kept to a minimum through efficient project planning and using the least disruptive traffic management measures.
The current timetable is as follows:
Vehicle ban for country lane to stop fly-tipping
Vehicles look set to be banned from a country lane as South Kesteven District Council moves to halt people tipping rubbish in the vicinity.
Cabinet is being asked to approve a new Public Spaces Protection Order to prevent access to the old A17 Pottergate Road, Fulbeck, except to authorised vehicles.
Requests for action have been received from local landowners and other organisations including Lincolnshire County Council and the National Farmers Union, following frequent fly-tipping.
It follows a Vulnerable Land Panel meeting under the Lincolnshire Environmental Crime Partnership, where key partners including LCC, Lincolnshire Police, local authorities and the NFU considered all options – with a PSPO being the chosen course of action.
Cabinet Member for People and Communities, Cllr Rhea Rayside, said: “This is a vulnerable location for fly tipping on the public road and private land next to it.
“Heaps of rubbish left there are the responsibility of the Council to clear away, and it costs the taxpayer every time this happens. Rubbish dumped on private land can unfairly cost farmers thousands of pounds to clear, as it then becomes the landowner’s responsibility.
“Warning signs have been put up to prevent fly tipping. However, continued incidents are reported yet due to the nature of dumped items, we have not been able to secure the evidence needed to identify and prosecute the perpetrators.”
In June 2020, Pottergate Road and some surrounding land in both South Kesteven and North Kesteven saw several large-scale fly tips consisting of part-processed waste. The heap left at Pottergate Road weighed approximately 40 tonnes.
The proposed Order would include the installation of a gate by Lincolnshire County Council at the north entrance to the old A17 to prevent unauthorised vehicles accessing the restricted area. The south entrance is already inaccessible to vehicle users.
Authorised vehicles would need to obtain access details by contacting the Council.
A four-week public consultation was undertaken from 11 December 2023 to 8 January 2024, which found that 80% said that they agree or strongly agree with the proposed Order. Seventy per cent of respondents said they had experienced or were concerned by vehicle access, anti-social behaviour or fly tipping at the location.
One respondent stated: “The fly tipping is unbearable, the cost to the adjoining landowners in terms of financial cost, environmental damage and blocked access is unsustainable.”
Public Spaces Protection Orders are powers given to local authorities as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. Designed to target a particular nuisance in a specific area that is having a detrimental effect on the quality of life for those in the local community, PSPOs work by prohibiting certain things or requiring that specific things should be done, in law. Failure to comply with a PSPO can result in a fine.
Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council
The Sandringham Craft, Food & Wood Festival returns
What a Chefs line up the Sandringham Craft, Food & Wood Festival has for you this May Bank Holiday (Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 4 – 6 May, 10am – 6pm).
Saturday brings together Rosemary Shrager and Phil Vickery, Sunday presents Sat Bains and Francesco Mattena, whilst Monday sees local favourite Galton Blackiston team up with Jean-Christophe Novelli. Ben Bartlett the BBQ specialist will be joining the Chefs on a daily basis.
One of the highlights of the Wood Fair are the Chainsaw carvers taking part in the 17th English Open Chainsaw Carving Competition. The overseas carvers are beginning to
travel again giving an entry of over twenty top quality carvers. Admire the skill and creativity of chainsaw artists traveling from around the world! From the USA to Germany, Finland, Canada and the Netherlands, their talent knows no borders. Don’t miss this global showcase of Artistry! This year introduces Kamron Garbe traveling in from Armstrong, British Columbia, Canada, just 4,350 miles as the crow flies.
They will be competing in the Classic Competition, a 2.1/2 day carve that produces some stunning sculptures. Alongside this is a twice daily 30 minute speed carve with everything to be sold by auction. Finally for your entertainment especially from the States is Mountain Mikes Carving Show which promises to be something special.
These are just two elements of the Fair, but there is such a lot more, including a very large Craft Fair and Food Festival. Moving around the show we come to the Craft & Wood exhibitors, demonstrators and competitors. There are nationally selected Artists, Designers and Craftsmen demonstrating and selling their crafts and skills in the main Craft Pavilions.
Into the Food Halls you will find a large array of food and drink for your appreciation from local, regional and national producers.
One new exhibitor this year has a foot in each camp, Craft and Food, with his unique wares from his Orchard in Cambridgeshire. Trinity Apple Marc Spirit is crafted from the heritage apple varieties grown at the orchard and then housed in an Applewood flask or small item of furniture.
The Piazza is the central hub of the festival, that special area where show visitors come together to eat and drink, whilst soaking up the atmosphere and relaxing to live jazz and folk music. There is a large range of Street Food on offer from many different cultures and an equally wide range of beverages to quench your thirst, so do come along hungry and enjoy!
We look forward to seeing you at the Sandringham Food, Craft and Wood Festival. Saturday, Sunday and Monday May 4, 5 & 6.
Entry at the event or book your tickets in advance, online at www.livingheritagecountryshows.com/tickets or ring 01283 820548
Beekeepers gather for largest auction of its kind in the country
The largest auction of its kind in the UK, with more head of livestock for sale than any auction in the country, takes place at the Lincolnshire Showground on March 23rd.
It’s the annual Lincoln District Bee Auction, when colonies of tens of thousands of bees as well as a large quantity of beekeeping equipment will go under the hammer from 10.30am.
The Lincoln District Auction is said to be twice the size of any competitor. It has been taking place for 45 years.
Equipment for sale is in one of the Showground’s buildings, and colonies of bees are ranged outdoors.
Lincoln looks ahead to opening of refurbished market
City of Lincoln Council’s refurbished Cornhill Market will be officially re-opened on Friday 17 May, exactly 86 years after it first opened in 1938.
Funded by a £5.9 million investment from the government’s Towns Fund programme through the ‘Be Lincoln Town Deal’, £1.9 million from City of Lincoln Council, and additional funding of £918,000 from Historic England, the major regeneration works for the building were completed at the end of 2023, including;
- The opening up of the blind arches on the north and east elevations
- A new mezzanine floor overlooking the market hall, a space to enjoy food and drink
- Replacement roofing and glazed lantern
- Demolition of the butcher’s corridor to the south of the building and the construction of a new two storey extension to accommodate a new restaurant with a roof terrace
- New heating and lighting in the building
- Freestanding stalls in the interior space of a contemporary, minimal design for local businesses to promote local produce and an area within the centre of the Market Hall to accommodate seating for the associated food outlets within the stalls
- Unisex toilets including disabled and baby changing facilities
- Repaving and enhancing external areas in City Square have also been completed, to encourage more visitors to use the space in events and activities
- Corner Farm: Catering service, providing satisfying meals such as jacket potatoes and salads
- Stokes: Award winning family business in sourcing, roasting, blending & supplying coffee
- Bella Di Casa: Authentic, homemade Italian ice cream (gelato)
- Tick King: Specialises in watch repairs and watch servicing
- Bradford Plants: A Lincolnshire based husband and wife duo selling a variety of plants
- Oatz and Co: Sweet treats baked with oats, including vegan and gluten free options
- Fabrick Tattoos Embroidery: Alternative embroidery, crafts and sustainable clothing
- Bubble Kiss: Exciting bubble teas and mouthwatering bubble waffles to accompany
- Lincs Mo Mo: Pop up food vendor specialising in tasty dumplings called mo mos
- The Cookie People: Cookies, cookie dough and drinks to satisfy any sweet tooth
New consultant gynaecologist joins The Lincoln Hospital
Miss Narmatha Kangeyan, consultant gynaecologist, is now practising from The Lincoln Hospital.
She obtained her Obstetrician and Gynaecologist specialty training in the North East of England and has over 10 years of experience working as a consultant at Lincoln County Hospital and Grantham Hospital of the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust. She currently leads the menopause and fertility services at Lincoln County Hospital.
Her clinical interests include:
- Early pregnancy problems
- Recurrent miscarriages
- Fertility
- Colposcopy
- Post-reproductive health (menopause)
- General gynaecology and urogynaecology
Trekkers sought for Wolds Walk in aid of hospitals’ charity
Ramblers, trekkers and anyone who fancies a walk across the beautiful Lincolnshire Wolds are invited to put on their hiking boots in aid of a local hospitals’ charity.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity has teamed up with Richard Fish Outdoor Adventures to bring you the Wolds Walk for 2024.
This is the first time the charity has organised the walk which will take place on Saturday 20 April from 10am.
It will cover an eight mile circuit starting at Tetford Hamilton Hall, taking in some of the best views of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
Registration is £15 for adults and £10 for children which includes a charity T-shirt. Those taking part are also asked to raise a minimum of £20.24 in sponsorship.
United Lincolnshire Hospitals Charity Fundraiser, Gary Burr, said: “We are asking for £20.24 to represent the fact the walk is taking place in 2024. On the day you will be supported by the charity and Richard Fish Outdoor Adventure staff and volunteers.
“Every step you take will enable us to support United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust patients and staff with those extras that cannot be provided by the NHS.
“Children can join the walk as long as they are comfortable with the distance and are accompanied by an adult at all times. Dogs are also welcome to join us as long as they are capable of the distance, are well-behaved, on leads at all times and that owners are responsible for any waste and ensuring they are okay with any livestock we may come across.”
Image courtesy of United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust
Work under way on latest Stamford council homes
Work has started on four one-bedroom apartments in Stamford that will add to South Kesteven District Council’s housing stock.
The work is being carried out by D. Brown (Building Contractors) Ltd and, despite recent challenging weather conditions, the homes in Elizabeth Road are scheduled for completion in August this year.
SKDC’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Planning, Cllr Phil Dilks, said: “We recognise that housing need in Stamford is extremely high.
“There are currently 250 people on the housing register with a single bedroom requirement who want to live in the town and there are few options for those with this requirement and on a low income.
“Unfortunately, that means young people and families often have to move away from the area to find affordable housing. This makes it imperative that we provide more affordable housing options in this area.
“We are pleased to be providing more homes to meet the demand of specific groups of applicants on our housing register.”
Planning permission for the flats was granted in March 2022. The development comprises four one-bedroom, two-person apartments with landscaping and parking spaces.
The Managing Director of D. Brown (Building Contractors) Ltd, Mr Adam Mayer, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have broken ground on this exciting development.
“Working in partnership with South Kesteven District Council, the scheme reinforces our commitment to building much-needed affordable homes within the District, building on last year’s success at our Trinity Road development, also in Stamford.
“We very much look forward to showcasing this project as works progress.”
Image courtesy of South Kesteven District Council
Another Lincoln shopfront is reborn in Heritage Action Zone Project
Work to give another Lincoln shopfront a new lease of life is almost complete, meaning 11 historic shopfronts have been revamped as part of a High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme.
The latest is 1 St Mary’s Street, where work began in December 2023 to restore the structure and ensure its future.
As part of the High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme, which saw the city council receive a successful bid for funding of £1.68 million in April 2020, the city council has now almost completed the four-year programme of historic building restorations designed to revitalise the area and uncover its rich history.
Included in this have been plans to revitalise Lincoln’s historic shopfronts to bring them back to their former glory.
Shopfronts that have been restored in the city with new and existing businesses launching within the rejuvenated units. These include:
- Freckleface
- Jailhouse Frock
- Katie Cardew
- Sign of the Fish
- Lincoln’s Little Shops
- Gregorio Barbers
- The Plant Room by Sykes
Crown Estate confirms Projekt Renewable support by becoming a patron
The Crown Estate has officially registered its support for Grimsby’s Projekt Renewable by becoming a patron.
With a £50,000 investment now committed to further expand Grimsby’s Alexandra Dock-based Projekt Renewable, Director Richard Askam said: “Ever since I first floated the idea of Projekt Renewable to The Crown Estate, they have been so supportive of the logic and drive that lies behind what we are doing.
“To have The Crown Estate come onboard in 2024 as a #projektpatron and take a space at Projekt which is being designed to further everyone’s knowledge of marine conservation is just brilliant.”
Chelsea Bradbury, Senior Marine Data and Insights Manager with The Crown Estate, added: “We’re thrilled to build on our prior support of Projekt Renewable Grimsby with a financial investment, giving us a physical presence in the local community.
“Through this partnership, we want to make sure everybody in Grimsby and beyond is proud of what’s on their doorstep by showcasing the activity taking place on the seabed to reach net zero and the amazing work being done to protect and enhance nature and marine habitats.
“Potentially even inspiring more people to look at careers in this space. As an offshore wind hub, Grimsby is the perfect location to spark people’s imagination and curiosity, and we’re excited to work with the local community to understand what they would most like to know and learn about this industry.”
The Crown Estate manages land, the seabed and much of the coastline around England, Wales and Northern Ireland on behalf of the nation, creating long-term value for the country. It is focused on supporting the UK’s energy transition and improving energy security alongside stewarding the protection and restoration of nature. One of the ways it does this is by sustainably developing the seabed to support green, renewable energy industries, such as offshore wind. This partnership provides an exciting opportunity to connect people in Grimsby more closely with its role as manager of the seabed.
An aspirational beacon for Grimsby and beyond, Projekt Renewable was always built with the view to extend and evolve to suit the demands of both the local community and the renewable champions operating within the area. To have The Crown Estate officially join its trio of boxes is an incredibly proud moment for the entire Projekt team.
