Historical forge to be demolished
A forge once used by blacksmiths will be demolished after falling into ruin.
The building on Brook Street in Hemswell, near Gainsborough, was once considered a heritage asset, although only the eastern wall is now left standing.
A new home will reuse the stone from the forge and attempt to recreate its appearance from the street.
West Lindsey district councillor Tom Smith told a planning meeting: "It's frustrating the council has no powers to ensure these buildings can be protected."
Approval had been given to convert the old forge into a home about 20 years ago, but this was halted when builders discovered how poor its condition was.
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, most of the building has collapsed, and the most recent owner has applied to demolish what remains.
Several local residents had objected to the building's demolition and the design of the new home.
Andrew Clover, speaking for the applicant, told the committee: "The loss of the building is regrettable. However, surveys clearly show that demolition and rebuild is the only option."
Mr Clover said the building would be carefully demolished and replaced with "a discreet and sensitively designed dwelling almost identical to the forge when viewed from Brook Street".
He said "severe structural defects" had stopped previous work, the building was in "too poor condition to be converted, and should be demolished to make way for the replacement".
Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
Historical flats could make way for new homes
Grants for at-risk heritage sites in Lincolnshire
West Lindsey District Council
Local Democracy Reporting Service
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
New home for one of port's last deep-sea trawlers
A new home for one of a port's last surviving deep-sea trawlers is expected to open to visitors next year. The visitor centre at North End Shipyard in Hull, which is part of a major regeneration project, will host Arctic Corsair. With views along the River Hull, the venue will provide a space to explore the area's maritime history and include a learning space for schools. Mike Ross, leader of Hull City Council, said: "This new visitor centre is not only a place to explore Hull's maritime past – it's a vision for the future." Built in 1960, Arctic Corsair was involved in the Cod Wars with Iceland in the 1970s and rammed an Icelandic gunboat during the dispute. The ship, which has been restored, will be the star exhibit at the new maritime museum after it sets sail to the North End Shipyard and is berthed in the dry dock. Visitors to the building, which is funded by the local authority and the National Lottery Heritage Fund, will be able to learn about the life of a trawlerman, with first-hand stories from former crew members. Gillian Osgerby, the council's interim assistant director for major projects and infrastructure, said: "The story shouts about what makes Hull really special." A restored Scotch Derrick crane, which is a survivor of the River Hull shipbuilding that ended in the 1990s, will also return to the site later this year. The council said the new two-storey facility would be one of the most energy-efficient cultural buildings in the UK. Listen to highlights from Hull and East Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Crane repair part of city's maritime history Cod Wars weapon presented to museum Cod War captains meet for first time since clash Hull City Council
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
New school approved after cost-cutting changes
A new secondary school will be built after cost-cutting changes were made to its designs. The school will be built at the Alconbury Weald Education Campus, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, with space for 600 pupils. Instead of being built in the originally proposed "H" shape, the main teaching block will be a "T" shape. The school is being built to serve the new development in Alconbury which will turn a former airfield into about 6,500 new homes. In planning documents, Cambridgeshire County Council and developer Morgan Sindall said the changes "introduced improvements to the design of the scheme". The plans, which have been approved by the council's planning committee, said it was a "more efficient use of area and improves pupil and staff circulation between the school facilities". It could also allow for an expansion to create an enclosed external courtyard space. If expanded, the school could double its pupil capacity to 1,200, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Last year, the council proposed not installing a sprinkler system in the new school as construction costs had "significantly" exceeded the £37m project budget. It was thought a sprinkler system could cost between £850,000 and £900,000, although it was later suggested this figure may have been "on the high side". The report said a risk assessment found it was acceptable not to include sprinklers, with other fire protection features proposed. At the time, some councillors disputed the proposals not top have sprinklers. The final plans for the school include a sprinkler tank – a tank that typically provides the water for a sprinkler system. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Councillors say school must have £900k sprinklers New housing development includes Cold War bunker Cambridgeshire County Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Five-star loos lead to 'toilet envy'
Eight public toilets in the Chichester district will be refurbished after getting council approval. The plans follow the demolition and rebuilding of the old toilet block in Tower Street. The new Tower Street toilet, which opened earlier this month, cost more than £200,000 and has been said to be inspiring "envy" in other areas after receiving positive Google reviews. The cost of the latest scheme has not yet been revealed but will be made up of money from the Asset Replacement Fund and from reserves. Chichester District Council does not legally have to provide public toilets, but leader Adrian Moss said they were important to residents, adding that the Tower Street project had been "a triumph". Councillor John Cross added: "There is a bit of toilet envy going on with other district councils because our Tower Street toilets have been given a five-star rating on Google and other district councils want the same!" The toilets set for improvement are in Bracklesham Bay in Bracklesham, Pound Road car park in Petworth, Lifeboat Way in Selsey, Northgate car park in Chichester, Avenue de Chartres car park in Chichester, Hillfield Road in Selsey, Kingfisher Parade in East Wittering and Marine Drive in West Wittering. The council will now look for a contractor to carry out the work, which will be a phased approach over the next two years, said the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@ or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. Coastal public toilets reopened for summer season South East councils close dozens of public toilets Chichester District Council Local Democracy Reporting Service
