Hope for Gainsborough residents living near eyesore that’s been empty for 16 years
Work could finally begin on a derelict building in Gainsborough that’s become a magnet for anti-social behaviour and vandalism.
The former Lea Road School in Gainsborough closed at least 16 years ago.
Planning permission to convert it into 22 luxury flats has been granted for some time, and residents said last year they were frustrated that nothing had happened.
West Lindsey District Council’s leader says the developer is now meeting the final condition before work can begin, and progress could be seen soon.
Coun Jackie Brockway said: “This is an important issue for Gainsborough – it is highly visible, on a prominent gateway to the town, and has been a source of concern for residents for some time.
“Officers have worked for a number of years to address anti-social behaviour and vandalism with the site, to secure a long-term redevelopment.
“The developer has been working to discharge the final condition before work. Hopefully residents will see tangible progress soon.”
The originalplanning application for the school said it would “bring life back into this rundown and disused building, and provide affordable, quality spaces to live.”
Lea Road School was open between 1903 and 1993, and was later used as office space.
Coun Brockway said the council hadn’t given up on the wider Riverside project next to the site, which promised up to 450 homes along the Trent when it was approved in 2016.
The only part that has begun is a half-finished housing development which has been abandoned for three years.
She said: “We are working closely with [the mayoral authority] and Homes England to identify options to unlock this strategically important project.
“It’s complex and requires significant investment and specialist support. It remains a key priority for the council.
“Progress is not always as fast, but there are encouraging signs of movement on key sites.”
She added that a Starbucks had recently been approved for the nearby roundabout, calling it a “positive step in the ongoing regeneration” and an opportunity for plenty of jobs.
Pippa Street, who lived opposite the former school, told the LDRS last year that she had seen the building deteriorate over the last 12 years.
“A lot of youths break in because it’s abandoned and set fires inside. We worry it will just sit there until there’s a massive fire,” she said.