Planning approval was granted in December for a proposed development by Lancaster City Council for 135 new, energy efficient, affordable houses and apartments on the nine-acre former Skerton High School site on the Mainway estate in Lancaster. The scheme comprises  64 single bedroom apartments, 46 two bedroom, 21 three bedroom, and 4 four-bedroom homes siding a reduced traffic flow avenue with playable streets. The plans, while including ample parking, also include new pedestrian and cycle links to the Riverside, Ryelands Park and beyond, promoting sustainable travel.

Place Capital Group, along with its subsidiaries, have been lead development partner working with Lancaster City Council since 2021 as Masterplanners, Designers and Development Managers to deliver a comprehensive placeshaping strategy. The Skerton High School plans represent the first phase of the wider strategy which aims to bring forward long held ambitions for  the regeneration of the Mainway estate  reproviding over 400 homes.

Along with the new homes, the Skerton School scheme will see the creation of a large central community square providing shared amenity, green space, and children's play across the development to improve health and wellbeing.  With plenty of seating, the square will provide local residents with a much needed place to meet, relax and socialise. The apartment block will be home to an additional indoor space for residents to use for community events and activities. The development work will also see the reclamation of two football pitches complete with changing facilities for players and officials. Extensive planting and landscaping measures across the development will bring added biodiversity to the estate.

In response to the Council’s Climate Emergency declaration of 2020, all the new homes take a fabric first approach and are designed to achieve high levels of air tightness and thermal performance adopting passive house principles. All south facing roofs will be covered with PV solar panels to allow renewable energy to be generated on site. Efficiency measures are further enhanced with the inclusion of Mechanical Ventilation and Heat Recovery (MVHR) systems to improve air quality, prevent damp and condensation with homes targeting EPC A rating and carbon neutral credentials.

In the Council’s recent announcement, Councillor Caroline Jackson, leader of Lancaster City Council and cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said:

“It's wonderful to have the planning permission through for the Skerton site. This development is a huge step forward in our regeneration efforts for Mainway and I am thrilled that these exciting proposals have been approved.
It’s not just about building new homes, but about creating a vibrant community space that people can be proud of, and it will make a real difference to local families and the wider Lancaster community.”

David Smith-Milne, Place Capital Group’s CEO, said: “We’re delighted to see our plans being approved by the Council. This marks an important step in the regeneration of the estate and improving the lives of all Mainway residents. Our team have work incredibly hard to make this first phase of the estate‘s regeneration happen and have delivered something that merits the needs of every stakeholder. I’m confident that once complete and fully realised, the place shaping strategy will enable Mainway to become a vibrant, flourishing community at the heart of the city.”