Plans for £100m Lancaster Canal Quarter scheme gather pace
Lanmara Developments, a joint venture between Marco Living and Axis-RE, has launched a public consultation on proposals to transform three acres off Brewery Lane into a mixed-use destination.
Having secured consent for a package of enabling works to get the site within Lancaster’s Canal Quarter ready for development, the JV is now seeking the public’s views on its £100m proposals.
A 150-unit student accommodations scheme, a 125-bed hotel, flexible education and incubator space, and a food hall with capacity to host events within a listed former malthouse all feature within the developers’ vision for the site, which was acquired in May 2025.
As do a nursery, a mobility hub, and a 40,000 sq ft neighbourhood medical centre, as well as the opportunity to reorientate The Dukes Theatre to face out onto proposed area of public realm.
Leach Rhodes Walker is leading on design and AshtonHale is the planning consultant. Levrant, Astute, Re-form, Enabl, and WSP are also advising.
Leach Rhodes Walker is leading on design. Credit: via Axis-RE
Nick Mullins, co-founder of Axis-RE, said: “Lancaster hasn’t always had the kind of investment we think it deserves.
“Brewery Lane is a genuine opportunity to change that – bringing an international hotel brand, community spaces, and a much-considered mix of uses into the heart of the city. We’ve taken our time to get this right, and now we want to hear what Lancaster thinks before we take the next step.”
The public consultation will run until 14 July. An in-person event will be held on 9 July from 4pm to 8pm at The Dukes Theatre. https://www.axis-re.co.uk/brewery-lane-public-consultation-lancaster
Russ Worthington, co-founder of Axis-RE, said: “I grew up in Lancaster and still live here, so this isn’t just another scheme to me.
“We’re under no illusions about how much this matters to the community, and the impact it could have on the local economy. Getting it right matters to me personally as well as professionally. The 9th of July is a chance to look at what we’re putting forward and for fellow Lancastrians to have a real say before it goes to planning.”
The proposals form part of Lancaster City Council’s wider vision for the area, which has long been a regeneration priority.
Subject to planning permission, Lanmara expects the scheme to take between three and five years to deliver.
and this looks great!!
By I love Lancaster
Do we really need yet more student flats?
By James
No more student accommodation, you are ruining Lancaster just to make money
By Grant
People wouldn’t build student flats if there was no demand – and every student in a flat is one not in a terraced house that can then be rented to locals or sold on.
Nice to see the timing of the drop in at The Dukes is amenable to those who work for a living, unlike so many organised by the City Council.
By BLS Bob
150 student accomodation insanity 125 bedroom hotel for who ?can’t keep kings arms open deluded
By Anonymous
Not more student flats, what about locals
By Roman hrachowina
This has been going on for years, how about another plan for Morecambe?
By Bigivan
Good idea. Worked at yates and jacksons zs copper smith
By David