Developers who want to regenerate a derelict area of Lancaster with a new £100m scheme have held an event to answer questions from the public.
The team from Lanmara Developments were on hand at The Dukes to show images of their planned Brewery Lane development and answer questions from residents and local businesses.
Beyond Radio attended the event on Thursday, held as part of public consultation which closes tomorrow (Tuesday July 14) ahead of a planning application being sent to Lancaster City Council.
The plans include a 500-plus capacity food hall/music venue, 125-bed hotel, student accommodation, multi-storey car park, medical centre, education space, public square and more, to completely transform the area where Mitchell's Brewery once stood.
Ahead of the event, we spoke to Nick Mullins and Russ Worthington from Lanmara Developments.
LISTEN to Nick Mullins and Russ Worthington
"It was clear to us that a lot of the building structures on this part of the site were a danger, so we worked very quickly to enable us to remove the dangerous structures and clear the site," said Mr Mullins.
"As a consequence it's really opened up the site and showed the potential of what this could be, if everything goes to plan."
The listed former Mitchell's Brewery building is being earmarked for a food hall and music venue
Demolition work has been carried out to clear the site near Brewery Lane
And here's how the area could look in future
Beyond Radio also spoke to residents Joanna Young, from Citizens Advice North Lancashire, and Lee Clarke, who runs the Old Sea Dog antiques showroom on Moor Lane, for their views on the development.
Both were very positive about the plans.
"To see really exciting plans coming forward, I think is brilliant," said Ms Young.
"We're really interested to see what the plans are because we know services have to be accessible for people."
LISTEN to Joanna Young
Mr Clarke said: "It all looks absolutely wonderful. I think this part of town is going to be transformed. Whatever happens it's going to be positive for us and all the other traders in Moor Lane."
LISTEN to Lee Clarke
Another design image showing how the area could look after regeneration. Credit: Lanmara
The plans include a new 'mobility hub' of 255 spaces would include a multi-storey car park with cycle and scooter storage, EV charging, a new convenience store and cafe/bar; and a new education block "to support the city's education needs, employment growth and further inward investment".
Developers say the proposed hotel would "support business, tourism and weekend uses into Lancaster as well as the forthcoming Eden Project".
They say the new food hall/music venue would involve re-use of the Grade II listed Malthouse building, also known as the former Mitchell's Brewery, and include office space.
The new medical centre would be "opportunity to consolidate GP provision into the heart of the city" and include a GP Practice, pharmacy and dental practice.
The blueprint also says it would accommodate the Grand Theatre's "aspirations for improved servicing and longer-term business strategy".
The affordable student accommodation of a proposed 150 beds/150 cluster rooms would "underpin the destination as a mixed-use scheme".
Traffic restriction and calming would be part of the public realm of the scheme, alongside "high quality landscape" and new restaurant units.
Mr Worthington, who is from Lancaster, said: "It's about understanding what is truly needed for Lancaster as a city centre. It's a true mixture of uses.
"We're trying to address some of the issues Lancaster has, both as a resident myself, and from a development and economic growth perspective."
The site has stood largely derelict for decades, following previous redevelopment attempts that failed over the last 20 years.
You can have your say HERE.
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