Plans to demolish Skerton High School delayed over cherry trees

Thursday, 21 September 2023 11:21

Plans to demolish the former Skerton High School in Lancaster have been delayed due to ongoing issues surrounding trees on the site.

The site on Owen Road forms a large part of the wider plans to redevelop the Mainway area of Skerton, but concerns over mature cherry trees on the land meant that city councillors have refused an application for demolition to begin.

The main school building closed in 2014, with the site surrounded by residential properties and Ryelands Park.

The main access driveway is lined with mature cherry trees and to the front of the building there is a substantial amount of overgrown shrubs and tree planting. A single tree adjacent to the northern part of the site is subject to a Tree Preservation Order.

A report states that demolition of the disused buildings would help accelerate site enabling works and the subsequent delivery of the new development.

However, council officers had recommended the request be refused, saying that although the planning authority would have no objections to the demolition of the building, and the subsequent redevelopment of the site, the application failed to address matters relating to tree protection during demolition and how the site would be screened following demolition.

Councillors confirmed the decision at a meeting earlier this week, saying that further details were required before a decision can be made, and insufficient information had been provided to justify the removal of the mature trees and landscaping within the immediate vicinity of the school.

This form of development would normally be dealt with under the delegated powers, but in this case has to be determined by the planning committee due to the application having been made by Lancaster City Council themselves.

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