Lincoln Town Deal Board has submitted plans to government to bid for nearly £25m of funding over the next five years to deliver long-term economic growth in the city.
Lincoln was one of 101 towns and cities selected by government to work towards a Town Deal and, in January 2020, a multi-agency board was established to oversee the creation of the Town Investment Plan which includes a vision and 5-year project programme to support the growth and development of the city.
The Town Investment Plan includes the priorities of digitalisation, skills to support inclusive growth, sustainable transport and urban regeneration, tested in consultation with the citizens’ panel earlier in the year. The plan was further developed by working closely with a range of stakeholders and through the assessment of economic evidence. Carbon reduction, inclusive growth needs and the recovery from Covid-19 have also been considered.
The plan requests £24.75m of investment across 15 projects from the Town Investment Fund and if approved, will level direct co-funding support of £20.5m to drive growth and underpine wider, private sector investment.
These final projects emerged as being the most impactful and relevant for inclusion in the plan following assessment against the strategic fit, evidence of need, impact on overall Growth Programme and risk, and include:
Digitalisation:
Lincoln Made Smarter - a scheme that will accelerate the development of industrial digital technologies (IDTs) through focused support to SMEs.
Lincoln connected - the use of digital technology to enable better access to arts, culture and heritage, including through the provision of an Open Content Management system (CMS) and Smart Signage.
Skills to support Inclusive Growth:
Health and Well-being Hub - Development of a Health and Wellbeing training and support Centre (HWBC), to form part of the Lincoln College.
LCFC Community hub - the expansion and redevelopment of the current stadium infrastructure as a community training and employment facility.
Hospitality, Events and Tourism (HEAT) College - development of the UK’s first Hospitality, Events and Tourism (HEAT) College.
Sustainable Transport:
Wigford Way - improved walking and cycling environment and public realm along Wigford Way and St Mary’s Street.
Sincil Bank - traffic improvements including a resident only parking scheme, a 20mph vehicle zone, improved place-setting, creation of a green corridor and environmental improvements.
Urban Regeneration; Arts, Culture, Heritage and Enterprise Infrastructure:
Central Market & City Vibrancy - restoration and repurposing the Grade II listed Central Market Building to create a modern and diversified market offer, combining retail, food, leisure and technology.
Drill Hall Development - refurbishment for use as evening cultural/leisure venue and a community hub and adult training venue.
Tentercroft Steet - redevelopment of a strategic brownfield site to create new workspace and city living in the heart of the City Centre.
Barbican Production & Maker Hub - Refurbishment of the Barbican Hotel for use as a production hub for the creative sector.
The Hive - The redevelopment of a vacant, public estate building to provide city living for key workers alongside workspace and training provision.
Food Partnership – Store of Stories - the development of a centrally located food supermarket, providing low cost locally supplied waste and surplus food alongside a programme of advice, support and training, volunteering, and work placements opportunities.
Road to Net Zero Programme - A programme of four projects that support the work of the Lincoln Climate Commission, and the ‘Roadmap to Zero carbon Lincoln’ plan. The projects are: The Feeding Tariff; Construction Retrofit Project; SME Green Recovery Grant Scheme; Lincoln Community Investment Bond.
Greyfriars - restoration of the C13th building to open it to the public as a heritage attraction with a mix of a digital and tactile, immersive interpretation scheme, temporary exhibitions, events, conferencing and educational activities.
In addition to the main Town Deal programme, an accelerated project grant of £1m has already been offered to support the delivery of the wider public realm works on Cornhill Square with the next stage of work set to commence in January 2021.
The proposals will now be assessed by MHCLG and government departments at local and national levels with a response expected by January 2021.
Subject to funding City of Lincoln Council will be the accountable body and project lead in delivery of projects in Lincoln Central Market, Tentercroft Street and three Road to Zero carbon reduction programme.
Professor Mary Stuart CBE, Vice-Chancellor at the University of Lincoln and Chair of the Town Deal Board for Lincoln, said: "Lincoln is an amazing city and we have a wonderful community. We have been working hard to help our communities grow and thrive but there is more to do.
“Continued investment is the key to ensuring Lincoln’s future prosperity and the multi-agency Town Board have worked incredibly hard, supported by members of the community, to seize this opportunity to bring essential funding for 15 ambitious projects to add or enhance the offering of our city.
“Through this programme of investment, our people, council, companies, education providers and universities will work together to make sure the benefits of growth lead to a sustainable development and the creation of a more prosperous future for everyone.”
To view the submission document, visit: https://www.lincoln.gov.uk/downloads/file/1018/lincoln-investment-plan-october-2020