They might not look luxurious, but residents love them

The people living in Lincoln’s pre-fabricated houses put up after the Second World War say they still love their homes.

There are around 100 bungalows built during the 1940s still standing in Lincoln.

One which has fallen into disrepair will be demolished, and Councillor Edmund Strengiel suggested it was “long overdue” for the others to be replaced with newer bungalows.

Councillor Strengiel, who was raised in a prefab house, told a recent planning meeting he would like to the homes replaced with newer models if residents agree and the money is available.

The City of Lincoln Council has no plans to do this currently.

The prefabs were initially built to last around 20 years to deal with a post-war housing shortage. However, residents on Outer Circle Drive say they’re still very happy with the old homes.

Terry Bell says pre-fab houses are spacious and comfortable

Terry Bell is proud of his spacious two-bedroom home with a front and side garden, which he owns himself.

“Everyone loves their bungalows, they wouldn’t want to trade them for newer ones even if they could. One gentleman likes them so much he’s been here almost since they were built,” he said.

“The houses are brilliant. They were originally meant for soldiers, not elderly people, but there’s been so much work done you wouldn’t know that.

“The council is constantly here installing new kitchens and bathrooms.

Tony has no plans to leave his pre-fab | Photo: LDRS

“The estate is completely different to 20 years ago. There used to be a family and their hangers-on that were wild.

“When I moved in, I found 14 needles which had been thrown in my garden. There was a point where I got a brick through my bathroom window.

“I installed cameras though, and they did the trick. The estate’s nothing like that now – it’s a lovely area to live.”

Barbara Forrest has been pleasantly surprised by her own prefabricated bungalow, and wouldn’t move if she got the chance.

“I was sceptical when I was offered one of the bungalows, but now I’ve been here three years, I absolutely love it,” she said.

Many of the pre-fabs enjoy spacious gardens at the front and side | Photo: LDRS

“It’s so much bigger and easier to clean than a flat. The neighbourhood’s lovely and peaceful.

“My only complaint is that I would like a bath as well as a shower, but otherwise it’s perfect for me.”

Around 157,000 homes were constructed around the country after the war, although many have been replaced with newer housing.

Dave Denton, who has lived on the road for 22 years, said: “There’s nothing wrong with these houses, they’re all good quality. My mother lived here before me and had a beautiful garden. It deteriorated when I had to look after her, but I’d like to get it looking beautiful again.

“Unfortunately, the road has got quite busy since the bypass was completed, even at 6am. It seems like people are using it as a rat run which makes it quite noisy.”

They may not look luxurious, but residents are very happy with their homes | Photo: LDRS

A local resident who lives close by added: “Most of the people who live here are elderly, and Covid took a few of them.

“It’s strange how the houses were only meant to be here a few years. Most have been bricked-up to make them more long-term. All of my friends in them seem happy though.”

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Extra spaces and extra cash for the council

The car park will be covered in hardstanding which will create more spaces. | Photo: Google Streetview

A Sutton on Sea car park will be resurfaced as part of a £500,000 bid to improve and increase parking in the town, with local leaders expecting a surge of visitors.

East Lindsey District Council’s Executive Board on Wednesday will be asked to approve the cash to install hard surfacing and vehicle bay lining at Broadway Car Park, which is currently unsurfaced.

A report before the committee said the move will lead to an extra 30 spaces – from 120-150 – and will bring in around £60,000 a year extra revenue to the council.

It comes as around £6.2 million of work is to begin in November to replace the old Sutton on Sea Colonnade with a new landmark building including cafe, exhibition space and viewing decks.

ELDC is looking to replace the old facilities with a new ice cream kiosk, shower changing facilities and public toilets along with 16 new beach huts and six holiday lodges.

The report before councillors said: “The Stage 2 Towns Fund Business Case provides an estimated 75,000 visitors per annum to the new Colonnade facilities, with scope to increase this further through additional bespoke events.

“This is expected to significantly increase demand for local parking from 2021/22 figures by providing new markets and new reasons for residents and visitors to access local facilities all year round.

“As such, there is a realistic prospect that during peak periods the current off-street car parking provision in Sutton on Sea will become increasingly insufficient to meet demand without additional investment to increase capacity.”

The council could also look at installing electric vehicle charging points and solar power options along with facilities for campervans in a bid to attract even more visitors.

Tariffs for parking will also be examined as part of future plans. If approved, it is hoped the plans will also make the area more welcoming.

A broken window was discovered at the property

We have arrested three youths following reports of a dwelling burglary in Boston yesterday.

Just before 4.30pm, officers received reports of a dwelling burglary at an address on Hartley Street where a number of people were seen leaving the scene. Upon attendance, officers discovered a broken window at the property.

Following CCTV enquiries, officers identified three suspects and later tracked and pursued a dark blue Suzuki Vitara through John Adams Way in Boston.

Traffic officers successfully brought the vehicle to a stop and arrested three youths – one of them a 16-year-old female and two male youths aged 16 and 17 – on suspicion of burglary. They are currently in police custody.

The 16-year-old male youth was further arrested on suspicion of traffic offences, including dangerous driving, failing to stop, driving without a licence and insurance. Enquiries are still ongoing.

During the course of our enquiries, officers from the Drone Unit were also deployed to locate the offenders in connection with the burglary.

Two men, aged 21 and 22, suspected of drug dealing on London Road, Boston were identified on the drone and subsequently arrested for possession with intent to supply.

The 22-year-old has been released under investigation and the 21-year-old remains in police custody. Enquiries are ongoing.

Lee St Quinton, Detective Chief Inspector for East Lindsey, said: “Thanks to the hard work of our Response Officers as well as officers from specialist departments like the Drone Unit and Roads Policing, I’m pleased that we were able to make swift arrests.

“I’d like to reassure the community that we do take these kinds of reports seriously and that we’ll take robust action to deal with offenders who commit such crimes that affect their local communities.”