Demolition applications in for Brewery Lane
Plans to pull down unsafe buildings at the Lancaster site have been submitted on behalf of developers Axis-RE and Marco Living, clearing the way for a £100m mixed-use scheme.
The applicant as listed on documents is Lanmara Developments, which was acquired by Marco Living and Axis-RE earlier this year.
The firm said it is taking essential safety measures at the Brewery Lane site, within Lancaster’s Canal Quarter masterplan area, beginning with the removal of structurally dangerous buildings in accordance with the Building Act and having liaised fully with the council.
A pair of applications have now been validated on Lancaster City Council’s planning portal relating to the project. The local authority itself is pushing for action – in June, it issued a Section 77 notice saying that some of the buildings are unsafe and require urgent action.
Axis-RE is a North West development business co-founded by Russ Worthington, who was born and raised in the area, and continues to live there.
A covering letter provided by advisor AshtonHale said that although the buildings lined up for demolition “all sit within the Lancaster Conservation Area, the council has already recognised in its conservation area appraisal that ‘the area is clearly in need of a new role and new development that will enhance the significance of the area’.”
The applications cover land to the west and east of Brewery Lane respectively, and along with the building demolitions, include clearing of vegetation from the site.
Along with AshtonHale, Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture is advising the applicant.
Within the western application area, there are 16 structures identified in the Section 77 order as being unsafe and proposed for demolition, and a further eight providing negligible heritage interest and also in line to come down, as proposed under a Section 80 notice, as a second phase if approval is granted.
In the eastern part of the site no buildings are covered by the Section 77 notice, and just two are proposed for the second demolition phase. The grade two-listed former Mitchell’s brewery building will remain.
The developer said that this essential first step prioritises public safety while enabling the delivery of a wider community-focused development strategy for Lancaster.
Axis-RE said: “After decades of abandonment, these buildings have become dangerous with frequent break-ins and structural problems that pose risks to public safety and the surrounding community.
“The buildings have deteriorated to a severely dilapidated state, with compromised structural integrity, ongoing security issues from unauthorised access, and anti-social behaviour that impacts local residents and businesses.”
The only buildings to be removed are those that pose genuine safety risks, with Axis-RE promising to preserve and reuse heritage elements wherever possible. No listed buildings are being removed. Local contractors will be prioritised where possible.
Demolition will allow plans to be fleshed out for the Brewery Lane site, with plans set to include homes, healthcare facilities, leisure and community amenities, enhanced connectivity and public spaces.
The initial phase of safety work is expected to take approximately 10-12 weeks, with regular updates provided throughout the process.
Lancaster City Council has now validated the applications, which can be viewed with the reference numbers 25/00912/FUL and 25/00913/FUL on its planning portal.
