Warning over risks at abandoned Gainsborough riverside estate and former school

Police have issued a fresh warning over an abandoned development in Gainsborough, where unfinished apartment blocks and a long-empty former school have become a draw for trespassers and urban explorers. The site on Lea Road, near the River Trent, has become a growing concern for nearby residents and local officials. The former Edwardian school buildings date back to 1906 and have stood empty since 2010. Lincolnshire Police said the risks inside such buildings can be severe, particularly for children and young people who may be tempted to explore. Insp Michael Head warned that the structures could be unstable and said those entering may not realise the danger until it is too late. He said stairways or other parts of the building could give way, leaving anyone injured and unseen for some time. The wider site has also become a symbol of stalled regeneration in Gainsborough. A housing scheme planned for the land was intended to deliver 220 flats along with shops, but work stopped nearly two years ago. What remains are large empty shells on a prominent gateway into the town. Residents told the BBC that several fires have been started on the overgrown land in recent years, adding to concerns about safety and the condition of the area. The Lincoln Post has not independently verified these claims. New fences and bollards have been installed in recent weeks in an effort to prevent people getting in. Councillor Trevor Young, who represents the ward, said there had been repeated complaints from local people about the abandoned site, including concerns over children entering unsecured areas. He also pointed to the effect the unfinished development has on the town's appearance, given its position on a main approach into Gainsborough. West Lindsey District Council said it is aware of concerns surrounding the corner of Carr Lane and Lea Road. The authority said there is a live enforcement action connected to the development and that it could not comment further at this stage. According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, council leader Jackie Brockway told a meeting in February that attempts had been made to work with the landowner and that the council's enforcement position was being kept under review. The site had been due to go to auction last month, but the sale was later withdrawn, according to auctioneer Savills. Police said the message remains clear that abandoned and partially completed buildings can pose serious dangers to anyone entering them. Concerns focus on the possibility of unstable structures, hidden hazards and the risk that someone could be hurt without being quickly found. The warning comes as the derelict riverside estate and former school continue to attract attention in Gainsborough, where residents and officials remain concerned about both safety and the future of the site.