Lincoln landmark The Lawn put up for sale by City Hall
A LANDMARK building in historic uphill Lincoln has been put up for sale by City Hall.
The Lawn and surrounding complex in Union Road will be sold off because the City of Lincoln Council is losing money on it and cannot afford any reinvestment.
The sale includes the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory.
The west lawn will be retained by the council and kept for public use but a decision has yet to be made on the south lawn, also public space.
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Shop, office and café units will be the responsibility of a new owner and if a developer wanted to change their use or shut them down, the leases would become their responsibility.
Council leader Ric Metcalfe said there was not a sale price because plans are fluid until a buyer steps forward and reveals what they want to do with the site.
The council bought the complex – a former asylum – in the 1980s for £400,000. Councillor Metcalfe said it was not the council's aim to merely sell to the highest bidder.
He said: "The need to protect public space is paramount. We are not going to be in a position where the public loses out."
Comments
by Slippit
Friday, September 02 2011, 10:49PM
“Booze up,Brewery,Lincoln City Council,Organise,Labour.Put these words into a well known phrase or saying.Put Tragic in there while you are at it.”
by Darth_Lincoln
Friday, September 02 2011, 3:38PM
“The council should sell the City Hall tower block and locate most of their staff at the retail sites off Doddington Road. They only need a contact point in the centre.
If they did this they wouldn't have to sell off our heritage!”
by M_C_Donald
Friday, September 02 2011, 3:17PM
“Unfortunately The Lawn has been poorly managed, lacked investment and run with a lack of imagination and vision since being owned by the City Council. For the benefit of the building and its preservation it will be better in private hands.”
by cghaynes
Friday, September 02 2011, 2:27PM
“Selling this site, I feel is a disaster.
I spent some of my younger childhood playing around up there, enjoying it, and for the Council to sell off an area of such importance to Lincoln seems ridiculous.
Something that has been known and used during Christmas Markets each year since before I remember, and an area of the city that used to be regularly used for events. If only councillors saw the potential in it, which we saw as Children.
Maybe use it for more, do some fundraising events. Anything. Just keep this part of the city. It was paid for by our money, we must have a right in a place which has played a vital role to the history of a lot of Lincoln's childhood.”
by billybilboa
Friday, September 02 2011, 2:08PM
“Typical, thanks Lincoln council. I spent most of my childhood playing here and often take walks around the grounds with friends enjoying the surroundings. Unfortunately over recent years little to no money has been spent on the site and it's facilities have waned. There is so much that could be done here to promote and reinvigorate the site to be used so so much more. Why wasn't the recent museum housed here instead of secreating it out of the way behind Danesgate where no one can find it let alone park there!? Alas, I very much doubt the Lawn will survive the cull and it will be such a shame when it is gone :(”
by Andy612
Monday, August 29 2011, 9:04PM
“Following excerpt from the council's quarter 1 budget performance report shows just how much they intend to get rid of. No idea yet what the other property they want to hive off is but I'm about to write to them to find out.
Capital Receipts
18. Capital receipts from property sales are projected to be at least £6m this year
compared to the budget of £4m. The Council's target is to achieve capital receipts
of "at least £20m over four years 2009/10 to 2012/13." Total capital receipts for
£2009/10 and 2010/11 were £3.7m.”
by dldubz
Monday, August 29 2011, 1:33AM
“This is a shame unless the new ownership improve or keep the Lawns as it is!
I am always sending our hotel guests up there for a nice walk, coffee or divertion from Castle Square.
Maybe the key is more promoting the place, and more navigation, it is a little hidden treasure!”
by Steve_Lincoln
Sunday, August 28 2011, 9:30PM
“dammad, I have heard that it is the owner of Charlotte House Hotel that wants to buy the rest of The Lawn.”
by Carlos365
Saturday, August 27 2011, 6:31PM
“"Hands off
Our Lawn in Lincoln
The Lincoln City Council wants to sell the Historic Lawn in Lincoln complex to a property tycoon without the consent of the owners of the property. The owners are the people of Lincoln.
The Lawn in Lincoln is not like any other property, more than a historic building, it is also a green area for the community and a cultural centre. It also houses the Joseph Banks botanical gardens.
All these valuable assets will be sold to a private property developer without consultation and ignoring the wishes of the people that have seen for the past few years the neglect and indifference that the local council has applied, leading to the allegations that they can't afford to maintain it.
We, the people of Lincoln, must stop this assault on our heritage and STOP this sale going ahead by demanding from the council to preserve our democratic rights of ownership as a community, of the Lawn in Lincoln.
Please support this campaign by writing to your councillor, local MP and community organisations. It is not too late yet.
Email : calvarado@lincoln.ac.uk"”
by dammad
Saturday, August 27 2011, 2:13PM
“does anyone know if this will affect charlotte house hotel being on the grounds???”