Medieval ruins closed to the public for good

By [bbanks]

Vandalism has lead to a set of medieval ruins in Lincoln being closed to the public for ever.

Since last week, the abbey ruins in Monks Road, Lincoln, have been confined within a 2.1m fenced enclosure.

An application was made by the City of Lincoln Council to protect the Grade II listed abbey after vandals attacked the vestiges in summer 2007, and used it as a climbing frame.

Phil North, corporate property and standards manager for the council, said: "Permanent railings to protect the monuments on Monks Road had been in place since around the 1930s.

"As part of an ongoing regeneration project in Abbey ward, which also included new footpaths and a recreation area, residents asked that the railings around Monks Abbey be removed, with the view of giving something back to the community."

English Heritage has a policy which seeks to provide access to all historic buildings in England. But owing to persistent vandalism, the policy was not feasible at Monks Abbey. Subsequently, officials had "no objections" when the council proposed its plans.

Mr North said: "Unfortunately, although the majority of the community respected and appreciated the monuments in their area, it became obvious that some people just wanted to vandalise them.

"Temporary railings were put in to protect them, but these too were vandalised."

Planning permission was due to be granted on January 6 in a meeting at City Hall, in Beaumont Fee.

But plans needed to be brought forward after vandals continued to enter onto the site and pose a considerable health and safety risk. Approval will now be sought retrospectively in the meeting on Wednesday.