Plans to complete a new state-of-the-art science park at Lancaster University have taken a step forward.
The university has put in a 'screening opinion' request to Lancaster City Council hoping to move forward with plans to finish building a research, commercial and teaching hub, otherwise known as the Lancaster Innovation Campus.
In 2009 (renewed in 2013 and 2016), the university was granted permission to build a science park, but planning permission has expired without the full work being completed.
The first phase of the development - a new 'Health Innovation One' building housing the university's medical school - has already been built, opening in summer 2020.
The university aims for the finished site to be a "high quality innovation campus for a range of knowledge and research-based businesses".
A Lancaster University spokesperson said: "Previous permission has now expired so a new application is required.
"One element of the previous permission was implemented, called the HI One building which houses a range of facilities including our medical school and partner co-location space.
"We are intending still to develop an innovation campus on the site which would potentially comprise a range of research and development uses."
The science park would be built on land next to Health Innovation One on Sir John Fisher Drive.
A screening opinion request usually goes in before a planning application, so the council can decide if an Environmental Impact Assessment is needed.
As well as housing the Lancaster Medical School, Health Innovation One is home to the University’s Division of Health Research, as well as a co-location space for partner organisations and event/meeting facilities.
It provides a collaborative space where the University and external partners (including NHS, commercial businesses and the local population) can tackle the wider determinants of health, leading to long-term reductions in NHS pressures by helping people live healthier lives and take a personal interest in their own health outcomes.
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