Plans to construct a swimming pool and expand a hotel in uphill Lincoln have been approved by the City of Lincoln Council.
The White Hart Hotel will gain new rooms, a café, restaurant, and retail space.
These developments were proposed after businessman, Andrew Long, acquired the hotel and the nearby Judges Lodgings. The authority’s planning committee unanimously approved all the plans on Wednesday.
The swimming pool, spa, and gym complex will be constructed within the current hotel structure on Bailgate for use by hotel guests.
The exterior of the Grade II listed building will remain unchanged, but internal modifications will be made to accommodate a 36ft (11m) swimming pool.
Dr. Samantha Stein, a local archaeology expert, had earlier expressed concerns about the project and informed the committee that it had “We are robbing the public of potential heritage and for what? A paddling pool?”
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, councillors took those concerns into account, and Councillor Calum Watt stated “we might find another dodecahedron” in reference to the Norton Disney find”
The City of Lincoln Council’s archaeology officer stated that any Roman artefacts found during the construction would be handed over to the museum service.
Additionally, the planning committee approved other proposals, including expanding the hotel into the Judges Lodgings and 2 Bailgate to add more hotel rooms, a café, and a restaurant.
