The construction and refurbishment of 32 new council homes in North Hykeham is now complete.

The Grinter Close regeneration scheme features 16 new high-quality homes – two-bedroom flats, two-bedroom bungalows, two and three-bedroom homes and a four-bedroom house.

It also involved the refurbishment of the existing Grinter House, which provides 16 flats re-configured so each has its own entrance, which was not the case before. There is also increased floor space inside, as well as other improvements and some office space for use by the council.

It was delivered by Lindum Group on behalf of North Kesteven District Council. Work began in March 2023 with the demolition of 11 Chapel Lane and 1-12 Grinter Close, paving the way to regenerate an area of outdated and limited housing to deliver new and more suitable homes.

North Kesteven District Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Board Member with special interest for housing, Cllr Ian Carrington said: “Our properties at Grinter House and Grinter Close had provided much-needed accommodation for many people since 1965, however they were not helping to fulfil current housing need and there was an imperative to bring them up to a standard and design consistent with changed expectations.

“We saw that Grinter House and Grinter Close had potential for a regeneration which could help meet people’s needs again, for better access, use of floorspace, operational efficiency and insulation.”

Council Leader Cllr Richard Wright said: “I’m so pleased to see the end result now that the works by Lindum Group are complete, and we look forward to each property becoming a home.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in the scheme since it was first put forward and helped make it possible, including North Hykeham Town Council which has worked proactively in partnership to facilitate and ensure the successful resolution of specific drainage complexities.”

The contract was procured via the Pagabo Medium Works Framework and completed two months ahead of the original schedule.

Lindum’s Construction Manager Mark Carter said: “In keeping with the Council’s vision, we set out to create high quality homes for people, not simply housing, and we are pleased to say we have done exactly that at Grinter House and Grinter Close.

“One challenge was the installation of surface water drainage from the development to a dyke 100m away, while ensuring minimal disruption. Only one road closure was permitted and digging up Chapel Lane would have meant a 12-week road closure, and potential risk to existing services.

“Our innovative solution was to run the pipe under the services but above the foul water sewer. We appointed experts M9 HDD LTD, of Potterhanworth, to directionally drill a 2m invert over the 100m distance to accommodate the pipe.

“Through the use of ground surveys to establish the make-up and stability of the ground, high pressured water to clear a path for the drill itself and materials to maintain subterranean ground stability, the drainage work was completed under a six-week road closure rather than three months, meaning disruption was minimised and the entire project was delivered ahead of schedule.”

As the regeneration project neared completed this summer, members of the Lindum team gave two days’ free labour to a nearby nursery as part of its social value commitments to communities where we work. Works at Park School Day Nursery, in North Hykeham, included new fencing around the play area and repairing a dilapidated bench.
Nursery manager Janet Richards said: “We really appreciate the contribution Lindum has made to our environment and all the hard work Mark and Neil did. We are so pleased. The job looks lovely.”

Lindum also invested in and encouraged the next generation of construction workers through this District Council project by having five Lindum apprentice bricklayers hone their skills at Grinter Close.