Jamie Waller

A planning application proposes converting Lincoln’s former Liberal Club and a neighboring building into 15 flats accommodating 112 students, alongside a ground-floor restaurant. The site is notable for a 1910 election riot in which Winston Churchill was pelted with stones, mud and tomatoes while addressing a crowd. Lincoln Civic Society objects that the rear buildings would be destroyed and the replacement design is bland, while City of Lincoln Council’s housing department says many student flats are already vacant. The application is under consideration by the council.

Residents near the North Hykeham Relief Road site report significant dust entering their homes, with some citing health concerns and disruption to daily life. Hot, dry weather and exposed ground have worsened conditions. Lincolnshire County Council says the contractor, Balfour Beatty, will install a six‑metre barrier with misting curtains to help contain airborne particles, while water spraying continues and dust levels are monitored for further action.

A substation proposed for Heath Lane in Navenby would connect Lincolnshire’s solar farms to the national grid, with National Grid stating it is needed to meet rising electricity demand and strengthen local supply. Councillor Marianne Overton and the Cliff Villages Solar Action Group argue the development is inappropriate for open countryside and present a strong case against approval. The plan has been revised after consultation, and if approved, construction would begin next year with operations starting in 2029.

An electricity substation proposed for Heath Lane in Navenby aims to link major Lincolnshire solar farms to the national grid, with National Grid stating it is needed to meet rising electricity demand and ensure resilience. Local councillor Marianne Overton and the Cliff Villages Solar Action Group oppose the plan, arguing industrial development is unsuitable for countryside areas. If approved, work could begin next year and the substation could be operational by 2029.

A proposal to introduce a 20mph speed limit at a dangerous bend on the A16 near East Keal was rejected by Lincolnshire County Council despite multiple recent accidents. Local residents, including Graham Pearson, argued the change was needed after several lorries and tractors overturned on the bend, causing repeated property damage. Councillors opposed the reduction, saying existing warning signs were sufficient and a lower limit would be unnecessarily disruptive. The Lincolnshire Roads Safety Partnership will review signage and safety measures following the decision, while Pearson plans to appeal.

Lincolnshire County Council has submitted plans for a third dragon sculpture at Lincoln Castle, larger than the existing installations Lucy and Norman, with features emerging from the Heritage Skills Centre roof. The proposed sculpture would remain on site from autumn until early 2028 without altering historic structures. Planning documents describe it as enhancing the castle’s storytelling and visitor experience.

Residents and commuters report severe congestion on Trent Bridge in Gainsborough, prompting renewed efforts by regional authorities to find a long-term solution. Greater Lincolnshire Mayor Andrea Jenkyns has commissioned a feasibility study to explore options such as widening the eighteenth-century bridge or constructing a new one, with discussions underway for joint funding involving local councils and the STEP fusion project. Growing traffic volumes, seasonal travel and accidents frequently cause gridlock, underscoring the need for improved transport links as the region anticipates increased employment from the West Burton fusion development.