Long Leys Community

A website for residents of the Long Leys area of Lincoln

Village Centre Project: Shop, Community Hub & Allotment Growing Centre

Information on LLRA’s Community Right to Build Project

Project, to build a shop, community hub & allotment growing centre on Long Leys Road. 

Read October 2022 update – Frequently Asked Questions

Read September 2022 update.

Previous documents

    Briefing Sheets

    Other Useful Information

    Initial Outline Specifications

    Note: Subject to change based on community consultations.

    The site would incorporate separate shop and community centre buildings, with the community centre also linked to an allotment growing centre. All would have shared access and parking. Landscaping and tree planting would be used to provide a green frontage and screen nearby housing. A 3-metre width green corridor would be maintained to the south of the site, allowing continued access for wildlife moving to and from the east side of Long Leys Road to the allotments.

    Retailer Requirements for Shop Area

    Requirements are for 0.5 acres (2,000m2) for a general convenience store with a floor area of circa 400 m2, on Long Leys Road with easy access and visibility. The position on the west side of Long Leys Road helps commuters departing the city to make purchases on their way home. Staff from the hospital opposite would also have easy access.

    • 20 parking spaces + bicycle racks
    • Other facilities offered at convenience store:
      • Cashpoint
      • Car charging points
      • Benches and seating area
      • Water fountain
      • Top ups for electricity etc.

    Community Centre Requirements

    The requirement is for a main building with a floor area of 400 m2 which would accommodate most of the likely community uses. Possible facilities include:

    • Main hall size of 18 x 12 metres suitable for seating circa 120 people
    • Conference facilities
    • Smaller area for multi-use including meetings, pop-up shop facility e.g., for crafts, local produce, local fund-raising projects
    • Kitchen/Catering Facilities
    • Toilets, including externally accessible toilet available to allotment users
    • Area for coffee shop/small café, possibly with outdoor seating
    • Bar facilities, to support social activities
    • Stage with sound and lighting system
    • Storage room for clubs
    • Room for building services

    The centre will be available to user groups on a pre-booked basis, for social functions and other uses on a private hire basis. It would also be available for community health initiatives and as a local polling station.

    Allotment Growing Centre Requirements

    To complement existing allotment growing activities close to the site, a separate structure to support community growing initiatives would also be constructed. Working with partner organisations LLRA would seek to incorporate the best elements and experiences from other successful allotment groups. Elements could include:

    • Tool store
    • Raised beds
    • Greenhouse of circa 100 m2.
    • Support for local school growing projects
    • Demonstrating emerging growing techniques such as hydroponic growing
    • Allowing allotment holders to share seeds, plants and produce
    • Germinate and advance seedlings, before they are planted out on the nearby allotments.

    A potential partner has also suggested:

    • An agro-ecological market garden or small mixed farm, or possibly Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), and a direct supplier of food to the shop and the wider city.