'Hope' for estate as explorers warned to stay away
BBCPolice have warned children and urban explorers to stay away from an abandoned riverside estate and former school, as a developer says there is hope for its future.
Trespassers have been reported at an unfinished housing development and derelict Edwardian school buildings on Lea Road, Gainsborough.
Insp Michael Head, of Lincolnshire Police, said derelict buildings could "pose a significant risk to life" and warned young people to "stay out".
Colin Wright, the developer of the housing scheme, said he was negotiating new funding, anticipated resuming construction within the next two months and had "made constant efforts" to keep the site secure.
He added: "We don't know the state of these buildings. You could have a stairway collapse and the group that has gone in fall to the ground injured. It could be some time before anyone finds them."
The housing development was due to have 220 flats and a number of shops, but work on the site stopped almost two years ago, leaving large empty shells.
Urban explorers have posted videos taken inside the large former school, which dates from 1906 and has been empty since 2010, on social media.
Residents told the BBC several fires had been started on the overgrown land over the past few years.
The building site was due to go to auction last month but the auctioneer, Savills, said it was withdrawn from sale.
In recent weeks, new fences and bollards have been put in place to try to keep people out.
Councillor Trevor Young, who represents the ward, said there were real fears about how dangerous the site was.
"We've had lots of complaints by local residents concerned about the site being left abandoned, unsecure, lots of children entering on to the site," he added.
"This is the main gateway into the town and the first thing they see is this undeveloped site."
West Lindsey District Council said: "The council is aware of the concerns relating to the site on the corner of Carr Lane and Lea Road.
"There is currently a live enforcement action on this development and, as a result, we are unable to comment further at this stage."
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), council leader Jackie Brockway told a meeting of the authority in February that efforts had been made to work with the land owner.
She said: "We have consistently attempted to engage with the owners and our enforcement position is regularly under review."
Wright said he remained "very positive" about the future of the site.
"As with many large-scale projects, there have been challenges along the way," he said.
"The original funders were unfortunately unable to continue their involvement.
"This has inevitably caused delays. However, we are pleased to confirm that new funding is now in the final stages of negotiation."
He said the apartments would be a highly attractive and valuable addition to the community.
He added: "In terms of site management, we have made consistent efforts to keep the site secure and well maintained. Incidents of trespassing and vandalism have been minimal."
This article was updated on 16 April to include comment from Colin Wright.
Additional reporting by Jamie Waller, LDRS.
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