Run-down condition of The Lawn in Lincoln to be revealed at public meeting
Details of a report into the condition of a run-down Lincoln landmark will be revealed at a public meeting.
The Lawn complex was put up for sale by the City of Lincoln Council in January.
The report, written by Grover Lewis Associates, was submitted to the council in March 2011 ahead of the bidding process.
The authors of the report later became part of the team to help businessman Jonathan Pass – who owns the Charlotte House Hotel – put the only formal bid together.
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That bid was rejected and Mr Pass will be revealing the details of those proposals, and the report, at the public meeting on Monday, September 3.
Mr Pass's plans for a new-look hotel and conference complex include restoring many of the building's original features.
"The council has already openly admitted it can no longer afford the upkeep of the buildings or the Sir Joseph Banks Conservatory," he said.
"One thing is certain – every month that goes by makes the project more difficult as the repair bill gets higher."
The report concluded that while the overall maintenance of the building had been "adequate" there were existing problems and dangers.
It identified leaks in the roof, curved windows that had replaced with straight ones, some badly repaired brickwork, and a slate roof that needed completely replacing.
"One of the greatest threats facing the long-term survival of the buildings is the risk of lack of regular and effective maintenance," said the report.
"The principal historic building block at The Lawn is a large and complex building, with a multiplicity of roof slopes.
"A building of this age and complexity requires a continual programme of maintenance if the survival of its historic fabric is to be safeguarded."
The report said that the buildings had been adequately maintained by the city council. But it also said there was evidence of water getting in and the slate roof coverings may need a complete overhaul.
"Internally, some of the re-decoration that has been carried out in recent years, such as the use of woodchip wallpaper, is inappropriate," the report added.
"These areas are under threat for a variety of reasons including poor maintenance, poor accessibility, poorly conceived adaptations and low usage."
Last month, Councillor Ric Metcalfe, leader of the City of Lincoln Council, said: "We stand by our decision to put The Lawn up for sale because of the ongoing costs of its maintenance and because it does not fit with the council's current priorities."
The council did not wish to elaborate.
Comments
by Carlos365
Thursday, August 30 2012, 11:55AM
“This property can be made productive, I agree. The city council could lease it and reuse the money for the improvement of the property and for the gardens to continue being a property of the people of Lincoln ,where anybody can visit and enjoy. This is so important specially uphill in Lincoln where very few green areas has public access, everything else seems to be surrounded by 6foot brick walls.
You dont sell a prime piece of land for next to nothing, just because is the easy way out. Think heritage, think the future of Lincoln. An aggressive property dealer won't have the interest of the people of Lincoln but his own wallet.
I congratulate the City Council for showing responsibility and vision for the future. I hope they will consult the people next time and come up with an adequate solution that will benefit people in the long run. I wouldn't like to see the Lawn given away in a hurry then that money gets expend and we end up with empty pockets and no Lawn for our children and the future.”
by bobfinlayson
Thursday, August 30 2012, 11:35AM
“I for one would rather Mr Pass make a few bob out of this and keep the buildings and conservatory in a usable condition, rather than just letting the complex rot into such a state that it has to be demolished.”