White Hart Hotel in Lincoln’s Bailgate given approval for expansion into Cathedral Quarter

The White Hart Hotel has been given the green light to kickstart its expansion across Lincoln’s Cathedral Quarter, by converting space above the visitor information centre into additional hotel bedrooms.

Since purchasing the White Hart Hotel on Lincoln’s historic Bailgate in 2022, businessman Andrew Long has been a man on a mission. His first order of business was to purchase the nearby Judge’s Lodgings — followed by an extensive refurbishment programme at the existing hotel itself.

The vision of this development is to “contribute towards the revival of the White Hart as Lincoln’s premier hotel destination,” according to the applicant.

An expansion is now on the cards in a new location, specifically 8-9 Castle Hill adjacent to the hotel, also known as Leigh Pemberton House.

An application submitted to City of Lincoln Council sought to convert the upstairs accommodation of this building into additional hotel rooms for guests — five to be precise.

The downstairs visitor information centre would remain unaffected by these plans, and the top floors of the 15th century timber-framed merchant house will become bedrooms under the White Hart Hotel blanket.

Its previous use was as Air BnB accommodation, and after concerns were raised around one of the rooms, planning officers and the applicant agreed to bring the number of rooms down to four.

A total of two applications cover this building and the associated project. One is for a change of use of the Grade II listed building’s first and second floors from dwelling to serviced hotel rooms, and another for alterations and ventilation to service four en-suite bathrooms for the applicable hotel rooms.

City council granted approval to both applications and work can now begin on delivering this additional hotel space for visitors and residents alike in Lincoln.

The case officer said this proposed use was “appropriate” for the building and area, and falls within the Central Lincolnshire Local Plan — making it a routine decision to grant approval.

The verdict on another application by the White Hart Hotel, for a swimming pool and spa complex to be constructed inside the hotel space, is awaiting a verdict from city council planners in the coming weeks.

The deadline for agreed expiry date on this decision is July 13, according to the swimming pool application itself.