Developer says £10m student flats revamp would be "game-changer" for Canal Quarter plans

Developers have revealed plans for a £10m student apartments revamp of a historic mill - saying it would help regenerate the Canal Quarter area of Lancaster.

Mill Hall on Moor Lane would be revamped as part of plans to revitalise the Grade II listed building as student accommodation.

The former mill has been described as "in a poor state and in need of refurbishment".

If permission is granted, the building would be converted from 96-bedroom student flats to 62 studio apartments.

A new three storey front extension linking the Mill and annexe, and cafe open to students and the wider public would also be created.

Mill Hall is owned by Afar Properties Limited and managed through Unipad Management Limited—both under the ownership of local developer Anas Mister.

Design firm Zub Architecture would work on the project.

A spokesperson for Unipad Management Ltd said the plans would "modernise an existing student accommodation block that has fallen into disrepair, delivering significant benefits for local residents, creating jobs, and preserving the city’s industrial heritage".

Below, how Mill Hall looks today.

He said it would "revitalise existing student accommodation no longer fit for purpose, ensuring its sustainable future without adding to local concerns about more student housing" and "protect the building from vandalism".

And he said Afar Properties Limited and Unipad Management Limited had "already demonstrated their commitment by replacing all 115 windows with new double-glazed timber windows at a cost exceeding £500,000, enhancing the building’s energy efficiency and preserving its historic character".

Mill Hall was built in 1819 as a steam-powered worsted mill by Thomas Higgin & Co.

It was later operated by Gregs of Styal and then Storey Brothers.

By 1828, the building had been converted into a cotton spinning factory and was transformed into student accommodation in 1988-89.

Previous redevelopment proposals for Mill Hall were refused due to unsuitable designs, particularly the scale and materials of proposed extensions.

Unipad said the new application "addresses those concerns with a more sensitive approach".

Below, how a revamped Mill Hall could look.

"The redesigned three-storey front extension, crafted with high-quality porcelain tile rainscreen cladding and bronze powder-coated aluminium, is scaled to complement rather than overshadow the historic sandstone façade.

"This thoughtful addition respects the mill’s heritage, preserving and showcasing its vaulted brick ceilings with discreet lighting, whilst providing a functional link to the adjacent annexe.

"A standout feature is the transformation of a neglected upper garden into a stylish outdoor café, open to both students and the public.

"Accessible via the canal-side path, this vibrant space offers stunning views and encourages interaction between locals and students, fostering a sense of community.

"This innovative addition, absent from earlier plans, benefits both groups by creating a shared social hub, enhancing the student experience, and revitalising a previously underused area for residents.

"Additional amenities, including a communal gym and meeting space, will enhance the site’s functionality. These upgrades ensure Mill Hall remains a secure and vibrant asset. It’s sustainability will be guaranteed as the new proposals also offer flexibility for hotel or short stay use. 

"The surrounding Canal Quarter has been a priority for Lancaster City Council’s regeneration efforts, with plans to revive its 6.5-hectare area of derelict land into a thriving neighbourhood.

"Despite the lack of progress and the challenges posed by the area’s dilapidated state, this £10m redevelopment of Mill Hall will serve as a powerful catalyst.

"By attracting significant investment and revitalising a prominent landmark, it will stimulate local businesses, encourage further development, and support the council’s vision for a vibrant commercial and cultural centre along the canal."

Anas Mister, owner of Afar Properties Limited and Unipad Management Limited, said the scheme was "a game-changer" for the Canal Quarter.

A report submitted to Lancaster City Council with a planning application, said: "This tall property commands a prominent presence in the townscape, standing as one of several impressive mills in the area.

"The frontages of the older mills and factories exhibit a uniformly consistent pattern, emphasising their massing.

"The stone wall approaching the canal bridge on the north side of Moor Lane adds historic interest to the frontage with its distinctive coping and adaptation to the change in level.

"The smaller Block 2 (The Annex) of this proposal is also a Grade II listed building, initially part of the cotton mill built for Storey Brothers around 1880, and later converted into a caretaker's block for student accommodation in 1988.

"After housing Lancaster University students for a few decades, the property today is in a poor state and in urgent need of refurbishment.

"The individual units, are small, severely outdated, and therefore unable to compete with more contemporary quality accommodation around Lancaster. As a result, this prime location property has only been partially occupied for most of the last decade."

In 2023, Lancaster City Council agreed a masterplan to revamp the Canal Quarter area of the city.

There have been long-standing visions to revitalise the Canal Quarter dating back many decades.

The aim of the masterplan is to bring back into use many of Lancaster’s important buildings and derelict sites across 6.5 hectares of land, to "create a vibrant, sustainable, and active place which is integrated with the city centre and the Lancaster Canal".

The idea is to create a new sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood with approximately 580 new homes for families and individuals.

The masterplan includes "safe pedestrian and cycle friendly streets" with new pedestrian access to Lancaster Canal.

The council wants to build new homes on car parks at Nelson Street, Edward Street and St Leonardgate as part of the Canal Quarter regeneration plans.

The full planning application is available to read at the Lancaster City Council website (lancaster.gov.uk) planning section, reference numbers 25/00133/FUL and 25/00134/LB.

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