Scunthorpe’s multi-storey car park will receive a high-security upgrade thanks to a £250,000 cash boost. The major new crackdown will improve safety at The Parishes car park, bringing peace of mind to shoppers and cinema-goers, and making visits to Scunthorpe town centre more convenient. The investment will see the installation of new security barriers, cameras, and door readers – with entry and exit controlled by inputting vehicle registration and number plate recognition. Cllr John Davison, cabinet member for safer, stronger communities (urban), said: “This security upgrade to one of our busiest car parks is brilliant for Scunthorpe and will be welcome news for motorists. “Millions of pounds is being invested to create a new future for Scunthorpe town centre. We are already seeing hundreds of families enjoying the fun-packed events programme at the Queen Elizabeth Gardens, rediscovering everything the town has to offer in the process. “At the same time, it is important we continue to invest in Scunthorpe’s facilities. The Parishes car park is the first stop for many visitors and we want to ensure it is a welcoming environment. That’s why this investment is so important.” As well as the security upgrade, new touch screen payment machines will be fitted, enabling visitors to pay in the way they find convenient – whether by coins, cash, cards, or Apple and android pay. The new technology is the latest addition to the council’s flagship two hour free car parking policy – which also sees all day free parking on Saturdays and Sundays in all the more than 2,000 spaces available in Scunthorpe. Police and Crime Commissioner Jonathan Evison said: “It is important to keep our public assets safe for everyone to use. “The Parishes car park in Scunthorpe has been subjected to incidents of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage so this improvement to the security of the site will be of great benefit. “I have provided £40,000 funding for the installation of number plate recognition access and shutters which I hope will lead to a reduction in reported incidents and a safer environment for all.” The £250,000 is being joint funded by the council, the Police and Crime Commissioner and from the Government’s Levelling-Up Fund.   Image credit: Google Maps

The International Bomber Command Centre has continued its upward trajectory with another award win, taking home Destination Lincolnshire’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Award, its fifth accreditation this year alone. The award win comes only months after the popular tourist destination won Visit England’s Bronze Award for Excellence 2023, a prestigious award that puts the IBCC in company with Blenheim Palace and Warner Bros Studio. Since opening in 2018, the International Bomber Command Centre has welcomed more than 400,000 visitors from 52 different countries to help recognise, remember, and reconcile the role of Bomber Command during World War Two. The IBCC has created and utilises one of the biggest digital archives of firsthand historical documents that has been tirelessly preserved, protected, and shared by the IBCC’s team and volunteers. Nicky Van Der Drift, Chief Executive Officer of the International Bomber Command Centre, said: “These awards are a testament to all the incredibly hard work that our team has put in over the years. Whether visitors have a personal connection and are paying respects, or if they’re just coming to learn more, we do everything we can to make their visit meaningful and long lasting. “Bomber Command’s role in the war was crucial, completing countless operations and missions to help the allies’ war effort. However, it came at a cost and our site commemorates the 57,861 who lost their lives by recognising the part they played in preserving our freedom and the consequences of their campaigns, as well as remembering all who served and supported using these to promote reconciliation across the project. “However, as well as an historic memorial, we’ve also seen the centre become a hub for the local community in Lincolnshire too. We have regulars in our café that we see multiple times a week. It’s wonderful to see the centre and our impact on the community grow this way.” In the five years since opening to the public, the International Bomber Command Centre has accumulated more than 30 awards. As well as Destination Lincolnshire’s Arts, Culture, and Heritage Award and Visit England’s Bronze Award for Excellence, this year the IBCC has also been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Silver Employers Recognition Scheme Award, the Sandford Award for Heritage Education, TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice Award for the fourth year running, as well as TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for the fifth year running. Nicky added: “The centre is solely funded by tickets and donations, so to be recognised by so many fantastic organisations in under five years is fantastic. We now look forward to even more success in the next five years, as we continue our mission in educating people on the amazing individuals who served in Bomber Command and sacrificed so much for our freedom.” The International Bomber Command Centre is open from 9:30am-5pm Tuesday to Sunday, with last entry to the Exhibition at 4pm. The closing time will be brought forward an hour from 14th November to accommodate for winter.

A significant number of affordable properties are to be delivered in Sleaford, where Platform Housing Group will work alongside Miller Homes on bringing 160 homes to the site at the Handley Chase Sustainable Urban Extension.  For the group, the agreement represents another successful land deal to be added to its ambitious pipeline, supporting the commitment to start work on over 1,300 homes across the Midlands in the year April 2022 to March 2023.  Kate Ellison, Platform’s director of land, partnerships and business development, said: “We’re delighted with this latest agreement to provide more affordable homes and the solid foundations they will bring for the people that go on to live in them. The development is proof once again that we can deliver the solutions that local partners need to solve their housing issues. “I’m also proud of the team for securing such a significant number of opportunities in the past couple of months against the backdrop of the challenges facing the housing and constructions sectors as Platform continues our ambition to keep building homes. My thanks go to the teams involved in securing the deal and our partners at Miller Homes.” Overall, some 1,450 homes will be built for Sleaford, with this new diverse community also hosting a convenience store, a new school, playing fields and a 67-bed retirement home.  Matt Carroll, senior land manager at Platform, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for Platform Housing Group to continue building on our excellent working relationship with Miller Homes. “As ever, this deal would not have been possible without our trusted consultant team, with Gabor Taller at Browne Jacobson, Greg James at WP Housing and Jon Adams at Tetlow King all providing essential support. An extra mention should also be made for our partners at North Kesteven District Council for their proactive and pragmatic support throughout the process so far.” Stephanie Parker, land manager for Miller Homes, said: “It has been good to once again work in partnership with Platform Housing Group on this site within the East Midlands. It has given us a great opportunity to deliver 160 homes that will in part help address the housing shortage in the area.” Subject to planning approval, work is anticipated to start on the site in the Spring of 2024.

Lincolnshire County Council is to give 60 city bikes to the new Wheels for Life campaign, ready for new ones coming to the city in 2024. Each bike will be distributed around the county to the Wheels for Life hubs, where they will be serviced and repaired ready for their new homes and their second life. The bikes, introduced to the city in 2013, have had ten years in operation for tourists, local residents and students to use around the city. These bikes were originally designed to help people move easily around the city without needing a car, which also helps to support the Lincoln Transport Strategy reducing car dependency and increasing the use of more sustainable modes of travel. Phil Watt, Active Travel Officer for Lincolnshire County Council, said: “The City Bikes have been a great addition to us over the past ten years, but things have rapidly changed, and the technology of these bikes is now very out of date for a hire bike scheme. We are now working on a new scheme to bring e-bikes to Lincoln and all the surrounding villages, making cycling as accessible as possible to anyone and everyone. “Wheels for Life means that these ‘older’ bikes, that have still got plenty of miles left in them, can live on, have a second life and make a difference to the people of Lincolnshire. It is great to be involved in the campaign and work alongside Active Lincolnshire to encourage Lincolnshire people to get out and about on a bike which both our new and old bikes will do.” Emma Tatlow, Chief Executive of Active Lincolnshire, said: “This donation from Lincolnshire County Council is a great step forward for the Wheels for Life Campaign and these 60 bikes will make a real difference to the people of Lincolnshire. It will also save these bikes going into landfill, which is an important benefit of the Wheels for Life programme. We greatly appreciate the support of the Local Authorities and all of our partners as we all work together to make Lincolnshire travelling more accessible to people across the county.” Wheels for Life is a new scheme for bike donation which takes pre-loved bikes and brings them back to a usable condition, for them to be gifted to people who do not have the opportunity to enjoy the varied benefits of owning and using a bike. Active Lincolnshire is running the scheme as the county’s charity who advocate the creating of inclusive, accessible opportunities for people to be active, and have launched this new scheme to rehome unloved and unwanted bicycles. Their aim is to recycle 500 bikes in the first year of the campaign, which will have a huge impact on the environment saving 7.5 tons of waste every year. These 60 donated bikes from Lincolnshire County Council that will be transformed as part of the campaign and given a new life, will save nearly a ton of waste being created. This will also help to assist 500 people in transport poverty enabling them a better future throughout Lincolnshire. Have you a bike you wish to donate? Please go online to www.wheelsforlife.co.uk to find your local donation point. Or perhaps your company has some unused bikes that are taking up space? Contact us directly to see how you can support the campaign, reduce waste & help people across the county

The historic officers’ mess at RAF Scampton has been designated as a Grade II listed building by Historic England, safeguarding its historical importance. The new listed status acknowledges the importance of the building, recognising its distinct architectural and historic interest, protecting the mess for future generations. It is further recognition of the particular historic interest of RAF Scampton due to the base’s links with the famous 617 Squadron, based there and led by Guy Gibson. The squadron played a pivotal role in the war effort, particularly in Operation Chastise, popularly known as the ‘Dambusters’ Raid’, arguably the most famous raid from the war. Leader of West Lindsey District Council, Cllr Trevor Young, said the building’s new status is ‘positive’ for the site. “This recognition of the high degree of special historical interest, specifically the base’s role in some of the most famous actions of World War II, is a really positive outcome for the site, particularly as there remains an element of uncertainty around its short-term future.” As previously reported, The Home Office plans to use the site to accommodate 2,000 asylum seekers, for an unknown time frame. West Lindsey District Council issued a legal Stop Notice to the Home Office to stop work. However, a recent, routine site visit and intelligence supplied to the council, demonstrates the Home Office continues to breach the Stop Notice, despite assurance it is complying. The council, along with Braintree District Council, and a resident from Weathersfield, is challenging the Home Office’s decision to use the sites for asylum accommodation, through the High Court in London, which is due to start on 31 October 2023. Cllr Young added: “Custodians of listed buildings hold a privileged position, having an important role to play in protecting the nation’s heritage for future generations, and with that privilege comes a great responsibility to not only protect that asset but also ensure it has a sustainable future. It is hoped the Home Office will take these responsibilities seriously and afford the newly listed officers’ mess and the existing C-Type hangers, the protection they deserve.” The newly-acquired listed status also brings the building under special consideration within the planning system, providing extra controls on any works affecting its character for both the exterior and interior. The report by Historic England said the officers’ mess as being a Type B mess, a standard design for medium bomber stations. It noted architecturally the quality of the design, its good proportions and being constructed from quality building materials used in the expansion era. Sally Grindrod-Smith, Director of Planning and Regeneration at West Lindsey District Council, confirmed the council would be contacting the Home Office to formally notify it of the newly listed status. The council will also seek assurances the building will be properly maintained and protected for the duration of its use of the site. She said: “Officers at West Lindsey District Council have always been alive to the special nature of RAF Scampton, particularly the high esteem in which the nation holds the site. It is for that reason the Council, on hearing of the proposed closure in 2018, has worked tirelessly during last five years to try and secure a sustainable and appropriate use for the site once the MOD had left. “‘Restoring the Officers’ Mess to its former glory is a key element of the £300million investment plan announced earlier this year. The newly listed status of the building will provide an additional safeguard for another important building on the site, and for that we are grateful.”