The next step in proposals to build new council homes on the site of the former Skerton High School in Lancaster is underway with the submission of an application for planning permission.
Lancaster City Council has put forward a scheme for 135 new homes as part of its long-term ambition to provide more affordable housing for its communities.
Subject to securing planning permission, the design proposals reimagine the former school site in a boldly presented scheme of modern apartments and housing that reflect the heritage of the area.
At the heart of the proposals are two sets of new apartments, at the centre of which is a large square providing shared amenity space to encourage a sense of community and to provide a space where residents can meet and socialise.
The central square is complemented by a lawn to provide a place for people to gather with cafe style seating around the edge, with an additional community area on the ground floor of one of the apartment buildings providing an indoor space.
Behind the apartment blocks will be three friendly terraces of two, three, and four bedroom houses, with reduced traffic flow and play space for children. All of the buildings have been designed to create highly insulated homes to keep the amount of energy required to heat them to a minimum. Solar panels on all of the flat and south facing roofs will allow renewable energy to be generated on site.
Councillor Caroline Jackson, cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “These ambitious plans represent a once in a generation opportunity to transform the lives of people in this area of Lancaster with new, modern homes that benefit from the latest energy efficiency measures.
“We’ve placed the community at the heart of the proposals and we’re grateful to all those who helped us shape the plans through the many engagement events we held.
“Many of the suggestions people had about the development, such as providing areas where residents can grow their own food, have been incorporated into the final design.
“If approved, these plans will breathe new life into this area of Lancaster with a development that’s fit for the future.”
Additional facilities provided as part of the proposals include children’s play facilities and two new football pitches, complete with changing facilities for players and officials.
The two rows of cherry trees that line the entrance way and frame the playing fields at the front of the site will be retained as part of the proposals, details of which are available to view at Lancaster.gov.uk/planning-portal and typing in the application number 24/00509/FUL.
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