Lancaster nudges slow-moving Canal Quarter site forward
The city council has this week commenced a procurement process to select a developer to bring forward a minimum of 130 homes at Coopers Fields.
The start of the procurement process comes almost three years after Eric Wright Construction was appointed to redevelop the site, two acres of car parking off Leonards Gate, for the city council
However, having opted not to self-deliver the Coopers Fields project, the city council began the process of appointing a partner to bring the project forward last September.
Cllr Caroline Jackson, Leader of Lancaster City Council, said: “The Coopers Fields site was once a thriving housing area for Lancaster working people and has been identified for housing for many years through the Canal Quarter masterplan.
“Moving to the next stage of procurement is about turning that long standing ambition into delivery.”
While the project is expected to comprise apartments primarily, the tenure mix is yet to be determined.
It is expected that the city council will seek to acquire some units to offer social housing. Tender documents state that the city council would consider the inclusion of open market housing – up to 20% of the scheme.
Jackson said delivering more affordable housing in the city is “a top priority”.
“The regeneration of the Canal Quarter provides us with the opportunity to create affordable housing in a highly sustainable area, close to public transport, local businesses and community services,” she said.
Coopers Fields is one of the first phases of the slow-moving,16-acre Canal Quarter project.
Elsewhere in the Canal Quarter, South Lakes Housing has permission from the city council to develop the fully affordable scheme on a plot sandwiched between two of the city’s most important heritage assets, the town hall and Lancaster Cathedral.
Last year, Axis RE and Marco Living bought a three-acre chunk of the city’s Canal Quarter that could accommodate a 300,000 sq ft commercial scheme.
Maple Grove Developments, part of Eric Wright Group, has an option to redevelop another site within the Canal Quarter, the former Heron Chemical Works.
