A water company has received approval to create a new community space beneath a historic water tower in Lincoln. Anglian Water confirmed that the area under the Grade II listed Westgate Tower in the Bailgate district will be opened to the public, beginning with an archaeological excavation as the first phase of the project.

As part of the development, the company will also install new underground infrastructure connected to a major pipeline running from North Lincolnshire to Essex. Landscaping work around the site is set to begin on Monday, with archaeological investigations planned for the summer.

The tower, constructed in 1911, was commissioned by the Lincoln Corporation following a severe typhoid outbreak between November 1904 and April 1905 that resulted in 113 deaths. The new construction phase is expected to start in summer 2027.

Anglian Water said local water services will remain unaffected during the works. Although a small number of trees will be removed for safety reasons, they will be replaced through a broader planting scheme across Lincoln.

Additionally, the tower’s wrought iron railings and surrounding stonework will be carefully removed and restored off-site before being reinstalled, along with new fencing on Chapel Lane.

The company’s Strategic Pipeline Alliance (SPA) described the initiative as part of a wider infrastructure programme designed to improve the region’s resilience to drought. Project leaders said the upgrades will both strengthen Lincoln’s water network and provide a new recreational area for residents. Regular updates, including details of any archaeological discoveries, will be shared as the project progresses.