Sheppard Robson’s Lancaster arts centre approved

The Manchester studio of architectural practice, Sheppard Robson, has been granted planning permission for the Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts on the city's university campus.

Sheppard Robson is hopeful the building will become the UK's first education project to achieve the BREEAM 'outstanding' sustainable standard.

The 30,000 sq ft building will provide the university with event and performance space as well as offices for post-graduate research and administration.

James Jones, project architect, commented: "Securing planning consent is great news for Sheppard Robson. We have designed a building with the very latest environmental credentials and now have the chance to raise the standard of sustainable design in the education sector.

"We are hoping that the building will attract attention from across the country and internationally which will help to transform the arts in the North West."