Lancaster Uni to expand Health Innovation campus

The city council voted to approve 269,000 sq ft of research space off Sir John Fisher Drive – as well as Applethwaite Homes’ plans for 80 houses off Low Road in Halton.

The decisions on the two outline applications were made at Lancaster City Council’s Monday planning committee meeting. Both votes were in line with officer recommendation.

Land to the west of Health Innovation One

• Application reference: 25/00593/OUT

Outline permission has been secured for Lancaster University’s bid to enhance its health research reputation by expanding its facilities.

To be built by the £41m Health Innovation One, the research and development mini-campus would consist of five blocks totalling 269,000 sq ft. The largest of the blocks would be 64,500 sq ft, while the smallest would be 43,000 sq ft, according to indicative layouts.

Sheppard Robson designed the proposals for the university, with CBRE submitting the planning application. The project team also included Tyler Grange, Hilson Moran, Orion Heritage, Markides Associates, and Proximity.

Land south of Low Road

• Application reference: 23/01327/OUT

Applethwaite Homes’ neighbourhood in Halton can progress. The site in question is 16 acres and bisected by a woodland. Applethwaite’s plans only include the provision for housing on 37% of the site, with the remainder to be kept as open space.

Access to the site would be off Low Road.

Applethwaite worked with Eddisons, Betts Hydro, and Tyler Grange on the project. A reserved matters application will share more information regarding Applethwaite’s vision of the site, including how the homes would look and the number that will be designated as affordable.