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Tel: 01522-552222 | Contact the County Council

Historic Lincoln

The Historic Lincoln Partnership (HLP) was set up in 2004 following the realisation that uphill Lincoln was under-performing as one of the key visitor destinations in Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.

It was recognised that improvements to the area were required; however the area is incredibly complex, including many ancient buildings and public open spaces under different ownership. The HLP was therefore established to bring together the relevant parties to provide a strategic, joined-up, and unified approach to the development of the built heritage, the below ground heritage, the public spaces and the businesses of uphill Lincoln.

This partnership comprises: Lincolnshire County Council, the City of Lincoln Council, Lincoln Cathedral, Lincolnshire Enterprise, Lincolnshire Tourism, English Heritage, East Midlands Development Agency (EMDA), Lincoln Business Improvement Group (Lincoln BIG).

The HLP's strategic vision is “To become the first choice Cathedral City for visitors by establishing Lincoln as a world class tourism destination; with our heritage making its full contribution to the economic regeneration of Lincoln, Lincolnshire and the East Midlands.”

The County Council has set up a HLP budget which has paid for the following:

• a dedicated HLP project manager
• a quarterly newsletter
• an annual public workshop
• updating the Castle Conservation Plan
• the clearance and stabilising of the external Castle banks, ivy removal, and defrassing works on the Castle walls
• New build toilets at the Cathedral
• Interpretation of the Roman East Gate

Future Projects...

Lincoln Castle Revealed

A project called Lincoln Castle Revealed (with support from the County Council, EMDA and Lincolnshire Enterprise) has received a first round pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).  A first-round pass means the project meets HLF’s criteria for funding and that they believe it has potential to deliver high-quality benefits and value for Lottery money. The application was in competition with other supportable projects, so a first-round pass is an endorsement of outline proposals. Our fully developed proposals will be submitted in September 2010 and will compete against two other projects for a firm award.

Dame Jenny Abramsky, Chair of the HLF, said: "These three major projects were chosen as they are truly transformational.  As heritage 'classics' they are important to the identity of the UK and very much reflect the rich histories of ordinary people.  Having offered our initial support, applicants can now develop their plans to revitalise these wonderful places for the next generation to enjoy."

The HLP came to the conclusion that the Castle should be its priority project and that the many buildings within the Castle that are inaccessible to the public should be opened up and that this would then enable the grounds to become free access.

Bailgate Restored

A project called Bailgate Restored has been approved and is now underway. The project worth £1.18m (with support from the County Council and EMDA), will repave the main 'tourist' street of Bailgate in historic materials and will restore and interpret the Roman well and ancient site of St Paul in the Bail. The Dean of Lincoln Cathedral who chairs the Historic Lincoln Partnership (HLP) said "The strength of the HLP is that we look at the whole, wanting to see an uphill Lincoln that can aspire to be one of Europe's finest historic areas.  If our public realm gives the appearance of being unloved, then no matter how wonderful the historic buildings are that sit within it, the shabby setting will reflect on how locals and visitors view our custodianship."

Further details can be found by following this link.

Heritage Skills Centre within Lincoln Castle

The bid to create a Heritage Skills Centre within Lincoln Castle has been approved. This bid is called ‘Building on the Past’. This title draws together two themes: the first new building on the Castle site for over a 100 years and the fact that we want to invest in the next generation of craftspeople, providing training in masonry, lead work, joinery, stained glass and the like. The project is a partnership between the County Council and the Cathedral Workshop and will be funded by the County Council, Lincolnshire Enterprise and the European Regional Development Fund.  The team are progressing detailed design plans.

Additional Projects

In addition to these projects the west side bay window on the Victorian Prison Crown Wing (facing the car park) is in need of urgent repair to stabilise and restore it. The Council has recognised this need and has committed a sum of money to commence its immediate repair. Other smaller projects are being considered and worked up.

Annual workshop

The HLP usually holds its annual workshop at the beginning of the year, but our timetable with the HLF bid has led us to holding it in June. This means that we will have far more to show you regarding our plans for Lincoln Castle and also the chance to meet the full design team.

The dates are:

• Tuesday 15 June, the time 6pm-8.30pm (light refreshments from 5.30pm) and
• Wednesday 16 June, 10am-1pm (coffee from 9.30 and light refreshments from 1pm). 
• The venue is The County Assembly Rooms, Bailgate, Lincoln, LN1 3AR.

The days will major on our plans for the Castle with presentations from key players and then the chance for everyone to feedback their thoughts in smaller groups.  Our speakers will include Andrew Arrol, conservation architect and lead of our design team.

The previous workshops have proved very popular, so if you would like to attend, please reserve your place, booking details will follow as early as possible, by emailing mary.powell@lincolnshire.gov or calling 01522 550641.

For more information on the HLP please view the newsletters.

If you wish to have a copy of the most recent newsletter, or to be added to the mailing list contact chantelle.grundy@lincolnshire.gov.uk or telephone 01522 782332.

 

 

Last Updated: 3 February 2010