New plans on table for Canal Corridor North

New plans for a much-delayed Lancaster city centre development have been revealed to city council bosses.
Plans are unveiled in Market Square during a public consultation for previous British Land plans for the Canal Corridor North site in 2013.Plans are unveiled in Market Square during a public consultation for previous British Land plans for the Canal Corridor North site in 2013.
Plans are unveiled in Market Square during a public consultation for previous British Land plans for the Canal Corridor North site in 2013.

In a report to Lancaster City Council, leader Eileen Blamire said developers British Land’s latest draft proposals for the Canal Corridor North site contained “many changes” from the previous blueprint.

At the meeting on April 7, a British Land architect showed a council delegation their updated plans which include how the Grand Theatre and the Musicians’ Co-Op might fit into the scheme.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The plans will be presented to all political parties on Lancaster City Council in the near future and wouldbe made public in due course.

British Land officials also met with Coun Blamire and deputy leader Janice Hanson on March 2 for what the council leader described as “a much more positive meeting than our previous one”.

She said British Land also met representatives from the Grand, The Dukes and Lancaster University.

In January, Lancaster City Council voted to continue to work with the developers and Lancaster University on the possible redevelopment of the city centre.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The council was considering whether to terminate the contract with British Land because a deadline for a planning application has passed.

The debate was held after the university revealed its backing for the scheme to revamp the area which includes the Dukes, the Grand, the former Mitchell’s Brewery and the Musicians’ Co-Op.

Earlier, British Land told the council their original plans to transform the area with a development centred around two big-name shops, including one supermarket, “no longer fit with current retail demand”.

Instead they want to create a smaller number of shops and a large food and drink quarter of cafes and restaurants.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Lancaster City Council made a deal with British Land in July 2012 when the London-based firm took over from original developers Centros.

It was more than a decade ago when developers were first assigned to transform the area into a mixed-use development with shops.

Businesses in and around the site have been left in limbo due to many delays over the past decade.

There has been much controversy over the scheme with some even calling for the council to pull out altogether.