White Hart Hotel resubmits rooftop terrace plans following initial refusal

Plans to add a rooftop terrace to Lincoln’s historic White Hart Hotel have been resubmitted to the City of Lincoln Council, following the refusal of a previous application earlier this year.

The proposals, submitted by White Hart Hotel (TSP Investments) Ltd, include the construction of an external roof terrace, a frameless glass balustrade, and a glazed screen with access doors from the fourth-floor private lounge. The scheme also involves the removal of a steel balcony on the south/east elevation and a roof-mounted water tower.

A previous version of the scheme was refused by the council’s planning committee in January 2025. The applicant has since appealed both the planning and listed building consent refusals, and has now returned with revised proposals supported by a detailed Statement of Public Benefits.

According to the applicant’s planning advisors, Knights, the new submission strengthens the case by setting out how the development would enhance the heritage value of the site, improve views of Lincoln Cathedral’s iconic West Front, and provide meaningful public access to the rooftop space.

As part of the revised proposal, access to the terrace will be controlled and managed by the hotel, with availability for private functions, club meetings, and hotel members. Crucially, the new plans include a legal commitment to open the terrace to the general public for at least 10 days per month, between 10am and 7pm, secured via a Section 106 agreement.

A spokesperson for the applicant said the project “strikes a balance between conservation and commercial viability, delivering a unique public amenity while safeguarding the character of this important heritage asset.”

The resubmitted application will now be considered by City of Lincoln Council planners, while the appeal process for the original refusal continues in parallel.