Lancaster backs Canal Quarter masterplan
Stretching from St Leonard’s Gate to Quarry Road, plans for the mixed-use neighbourhood include 580 homes, two public squares, and more than 75,000 sq ft of commercial space.
Lancaster City Council formally approved its own vision for the six-acre Canal Quarter site at a council meeting on Wednesday. The masterplan intends to bring underused and derelict land to the east of the city centre back into use.
The Canal Quarter is intended to become a 15-minute neighbourhood, with plans for additional pedestrian and cycle-friendly streets encouraging access to Lancaster Canal.
At the heart of the proposals is the former Mitchell’s Brewery, which is set to become the landmark building in the quarter. The building could be converted to deliver a mixed-use space, providing food and drink options.
Other aspects of the regeneration vision include extending Duke’s Theatre and improving the public realm.
Public realm improvements would see stepped canal access and enhancements to the existing ginnels in the area to create interesting pathways for pedestrians to explore.
The plans also call for two new public squares along Brewery Street, dubbed the Theatre Square and the Brewery Square, as well as two green public open spaces off Moor Lane.
Cllr Nick Wilkinson, cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, skills and, digital innovation, said: “The regeneration of the Canal Quarter area is a key part in enhancing Lancaster’s role in the local economy.
“The masterplan is a residential lead scheme but does include some commercial, cultural and leisure elements with the aim of complementing our existing city centre offering.”
Lancaster City Council appointed PRP Architects in January 2022 to produce the masterplan. The architect and local authority held a consultation on their vision for the site later that year.
Plans follow the blueprint laid out in a strategic regeneration framework for the Canal Quarter, drawn up by Planit IE and Avison Young in 2019.
NJL Consulting is the planning consultant for the scheme. Inner Circle Consulting is the project manager. Also on the project team is civil and structural engineer Curtins, mechanical and electrical engineer ESD, and environmental consultant Delta Simons.
Lancaster City Council only owns part of the six-acre site and projects will come forward in phases as funding opportunities become available.
In March, the city council picked Eric Wright Construction to build Coopers Fields, a 139-home affordable housing project and the first tranche of homes for the scheme.
Wilkinson said: “It is envisaged that the delivery of the whole masterplan will take around 10 years.
“I appreciate this sounds like a long time but rather than try to develop the whole site in one go the council has opted for a phased approach with the target of starting the initial phases at the end of 2024″, he continued.
“The first phases will focus on the delivery of much-needed new housing for our local community and help to breathe new life in this derelict area.”
Why are the Council shooting themselves in the foot. The revenue from
the Nelson Street Car Park must be exstensive. Can they afford to lose this. Does the loss mean an increase in Council Tax. Also the local businesses that have been family owned for years
Where are their customers going to park in town. They can’t all ride bicycles. The Council will have more empty shops and less visitors and shoppers in town
By Anonymous
@ July 20, 2023 at 6:36 pm
By Anonymous
Cities are not just about car parking.
This is an excellent masterplan.
By SW
Anoymous forgets the best places in the world are those which have no cars.
By Anonymous
Lancaster is a City not a beauty spot unspoiled where cars dont belong on. By getting rid of parking is like saying people with mobilty issues are not welcome. We just want middle class people to ramble about our eco housing. Forget shops and businesses we can all just online shop then. Forget all the students who bring life to the city how can their family and friends help them move in or visit or perhaps stay and enjoy the city, and forget the residents who already live here as well. Oh wait I forgot the park and ride we can all use. The one size fits all answer to all of this. My bad sounds like a cracking plan now!
By Anonymous