New restaurant and takeaway could open in Lincoln's Bailgate amid concerns it will become a chip shop and ruin the area

A restaurant and takeaway looks set to open on Lincoln’s historic Bailgate - with many people speculating that it could be a chippy.

Applicant Matt Gull has submitted plans to turn the former Lloyds TSB bank into a takeaway that will double up as a restaurant.

A number of comments submitted to planners suggest it will be a chip shop, but this has not been confirmed.

People will be able to access the restaurant from the Bailgate, while the takeaway can be accessed from St Paul’s Lane.

Planning officers at the City of Lincoln council are recommending its approval for councillors on Wednesday, March 27.

They said in their report: “Given the range of uses in the wider area, officers are satisfied that the principle of the proposed use, as well as being supported in principle by policies, would be appropriate to the building and location.

“It is not considered that the use would detract from the vitality or viability of the primary shopping area or result in the area losing its mixed use character.”

Documents show how the business would create 40 new jobs - 16 full-time and 24 part-time - in the area, and the opening times would be be from 7am to midnight.

But the plans have not gone down as well.

Planning documents available on the City of Lincoln’s website show there are more than ten objections to the plans.

Many of the complaints focus on a belief that the plans could ruin the Uphill Lincoln.

Jane Hill said: “I wish to strongly object to the proposed opening of a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway in Lincoln’s historic Bailgate.

“Tourists and visitors to this iconic area do not want to be greeted by people sat around eating chips and mushy peas, leaving litter everywhere.

“If this application is granted, other takeaways will follow and ruin our special famous area.”

Emma Melville said: “I feel a takeaway would be detrimental to this historic area.

"My concerns would be that this will open the floodgates to more takeaways such as McDonald’s and that would spoil the feel of the castle/cathedral quarter.

“The Bailgate area does not want to lose its uniqueness. This is what the locals and tourists like about uphill.”

The former Lloyds bank has been left empty since it shut down the Bailgate branch in November last year.

A spokesperson for the bank said to Lincolnshire Live in April 2018: "“We have made the difficult decision to close the Lloyds Bank Above Hill Lincoln branch in November 2018 due to the changing ways customers choose to bank with us, which has resulted in the branch being used less often.

“We apologise for any inconvenience that this may cause, customers can continue to access their banking locally by visiting the nearby Post Office, which is a short distance from the branch. The nearest alternative branch is High Street Lincoln.”