Developer's ambitious new plans for Lancaster's future
ONE of Lancaster's most historic and important commercial sites could get a dramatic facelift under new plans submitted by local developers Lancaster Prop-erty Network (LPN).
Under the newly-titled Lawson's Quay, the project covers the eastern part of the scheme, the land between Caton Road and Bulk Road.
The Lawson's Quay submission is for the development of a prominent yet long derelict site at the hub of the District of Lancaster and the northern gateway to the city centre.
The scheme, designed by Hamiltons Architects Ltd, includes a hotel, offices and multi-storey car park, and represents a massive investment in the district by the local developer LPN and, say the developers, would "play a significant role in regenerating the district and establishing Lancaster's role as the hub of the North Lancashire and South Cumbria region."
Lancaster Property Network owner, John Sanderson said: "We've spent an enormous amount of time and effort making sure we put a proposal forward that matches the needs and requirements of Lanc-aster. We've spent a lot of time listening to what local people and business owners want to see and we're very confident that this scheme reflects that."
Robin Partington, director of Hamiltons Architects, added, "The submission of a planning application for this site represents the culmination of many years hard work by our client John Sanderson (LPN) and his team, on a site that was formerly part of the northern gateway to the city, which gradually became inaccessible through industrial development.
"The buildings and associated uses will minimise the demands that they place on the environment by promoting techniques such as passive solar control, renewable energy sources, green roofs and walls whilst encouraging the use of existing public transport routes, cycle ways and pedestrian links.
"These new routes, spaces and places then define opportunities for new buildings including places to live, work and play, becoming an integral part of the wider community and healing this long neglected
gap in Lancaster's urban fabric."
The introduction of a 120-bedroom 3+ star hotel close to the centre of the city will help meet the demand for quality accommodation from both the tourism, business and academic sectors.
Advanced discussions are currently taking place with a major hotel operator.
Businesses would have the opportunity to either buy one of the terrace of individual offices on Bulk Road specifically designed to meet the demand from many local firms to own their premise or to lease accommodation in what will be a landmark building overlooking Caton Road, the Kingsway development and beyond.
There are also plans for shops beneath the hotel and offices that will serve the immediate needs of the occupiers of the hotel and offices. These shops will also compliment the existing retail development off Caton Road and enhance the entrance to Lancaster's retail centre.
The quay is named after John Lawson, who was one of Lancaster's great pioneers.
He imported goods from around the world, most notably sugar. Around 1680 John Lawson bought the first sugar house in St. Leonard's Gate from John Hodgson and built a bridge over the mill stream and a wharf on the Green Ayre called Lawson's Quay, next to the development site, to allow for easier access from the river Lune to his sugar house.
Together with other merchants he transformed Lancaster into a major trading point and helped the city's growth.
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Tuesday 22 May 2012
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