Works to begin to transform St Mary Le Wigford Church landscape thanks to HSHAZ

St Mary Le Wigford Church
Credit: Stuart Wilde

Works are set to begin next week to transform the landscape surrounding St Mary Le Wigford Church.

This project, which is set to begin week commencing 20 February, is thanks to Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone scheme, in which City of Lincoln Council received a successful bid for funding of £1.68 million in April 2020.

It will rebuild the lost historic boundary and enhance the setting of the church by removing the hard landscaping and replacing with a landscaped grassed area. 

The grade I listed church of St Mary Le Wigford is located at a busy intersection on the High Street and forms an important gateway to the city centre. 

The project seeks to reinstate enclosure for the church and create a public green open space in the city centre area.

Cllr Neil Murray, Portfolio Holder for Inclusive Economic Growth at City of Lincoln Council said: “St Mary Le Wigford Church is steeped in local history and also had the longest record of unbroken service in the City of Lincoln.

“To transform the landscape surrounding St Mary Le Wigford to create a new public green open space in the city centre will be fantastic and I look forward to seeing this progress.”

Historic England High Street Heritage Action Zone officer, Ross McGivern, said: “We are delighted to see work start at St Mary Le Wigford.

“It is an exciting step in the heritage led regeneration of Lincoln city centre, and testament to the excellent work carried out by colleagues in Lincoln. 

“The works will not only allow this wonderful building to shine but also improve the public space for the benefit of all – from parishioners to visitors. We are thrilled to see Lincoln’s High Street Heritage Action Zone have a such a striking and positive impact on the ground.”
 

Published on February 16th 2023