The leader of Lancaster City Council has called for a special meeting to be held to discuss regeneration plans for a city housing estate.

Coun Caroline Jackson said she hopes to hold the meeting soon, following work with national organisations.

She gave the updates when she faced fresh questions about prospects for Lancaster’s Mainway estate and the former Skerton High School site at the city council’s latest full meeting.

Councillors are keen for progress because Lancashire councils face possible mergers or abolition in changes expected in 2028.

A Lancaster City Council image of how the new housing could look.

placeholder image — A Lancaster City Council image of how the new housing could look.

The city council has ambitions for brand new homes and flats at Skerton, where planning permission exists for 135 homes and a masterplan vision has been drawn up for 400 properties in future.

The council also wants to regenerate the 1960s Mainway estate, which could include some demolition, home upgrades and new building.

But various details, such as potential government cash support alongside council money, and agreements with developers, housing associations or contractors, are yet to be decided.

In her update, Coun Jackson said there have been various recent meetings about Skerton and Mainway, and alternative ideas have been explored to develop them separately or together.

Other work has been done by council officers and the government’s Homes England agency, and the Local Government Association, which advises councils and has a housebuilding support service.

In questions, Labour councillor Chris Hanna asked: “Mainway is really important for regeneration. Can you tell us more about the issues the Local Government Association has identified?”

Coun Jackson replied: “You will eventually get the full report. I only got to see it very recently. The main recommendations were making sure we have unified, central information so we do not lose any of it. They were thinking about local government reorganisation in 2028.

"So if the [Mainway] project goes into that process, all the information will be clearly available to be passed on.

Bridge House in Mainway, Skerton, is earmarked for redevelopment.

“They also talked about the business case needing completion, the need for proper resources regarding costs and people; and good communication about what we are doing.”

Then Coun Hanna asked: “So how does this impact on the timetable? What is the next stage with procurement and key dates? When might this project be active on the ground at the estate?”

Coun Jackson said: “We still need some reports including costings. I hope to get an update next month. The elections might impact in some way but I have asked for a special cabinet meeting, rather than wait until June. I am hoping for something by the end of April.”

At February’s budget meeting, rival political groups clashed over accusations the city council does not have the right leader – or enough cash – to build serious numbers of new affordable homes.

Some Conservatives claimed past council investment in commercial property, under different political leaderships, had been ill-judged and harmed the council’s ability to spend on housing.

But ruling Greens insisted progress was being made and that the council was ‘seriously committed’ to affordable housing and housing income and spending plans had been given ‘significant’ attention in the latest budget.