6 Nov 2012, 09:01
The Homes Communities Agency has selected house
builders PJ Livesey Group and Story Homes to develop nearly 40
acres at Lancaster Moor Hospital in a deal worth £67.8m.
The grade 2-listed building on Quernmore Road in Lancaster will
be restored and up to 440 homes built on the landmark site visible
from the M6.
There is already outline planning consent in place for the new
housing and conversion of the former hospital annexe and adjoining
Campbell House, into apartments and houses.
The conversion work will be carried out by Manchester-based
restoration specialist PJ Livesey, which has a track record of
transforming listed buildings for residential use.
PJ Livesey will be responsible for obtaining listed building
consent for the development.
Carlisle-based Story Homes will lead the development of the
masterplan for the wider site, including parking, green space and
mature woodland covered by a Tree Preservation Order.
The HCA has worked with Lancaster City Council and English
Heritage to prepare the site for the development of the new homes.
The HCA is investing £3m through its Accelerated Land Disposal
Programme to support a programme of enabling and infrastructure
works that will include new access arrangements; upgrades to the
main access road; demolition of outbuildings and asbestos removal;
and further survey works linked to the planning requirements.
Designed by architect Arnold Kershaw, Lancaster Moor was built
in 1882 as an annexe to accommodate mental health patients.
It was used by the NHS before closing in 1999. Work is expected
to start on site this month.
Deborah Mclaughlin, North West executive director of the HCA,
said: “Unlocking publicly-owned sites to speed up the delivery
of housing developments is a key priority for the HCA. Selecting
preferred development partners for this major public sector site
marks a significant milestone in the ongoing regeneration of
Lancaster. Having lain empty for a number of years, it’s great
that we can now begin to make this an attractive place to live.
“I know that the developers are keen to deliver a scheme
that meets the needs and aspirations of local people, creating much
needed affordable homes that will have a positive impact on the
local community.”
Andrew Dobson, Lancaster City Council’s head of regeneration
and policy, said: “The city council has worked hard to find
the flexibility to help the HCA restructure this development
opportunity and we are delighted that development partners have
been found to move the scheme forward.
“The hospital annex is an important Lancaster landmark
alongside the M6 corridor and its renovation, together with a high
quality new build housing scheme alongside, will make a valuable
contribution to implementing the council’s Local
Plan.”
Georgina Livesey, director of PJ Livesey, said: “As a
company we are used to working with listed buildings and can see
the potential of Lancaster Moor to become a thriving community in a
truly beautiful setting.
“The building is a local landmark of great presence and
scale and has some wonderful features which will be incorporated
during the conversion.”
Steve Errington, managing director of Story Homes, said:
“This is an exciting project for us. It will see an area which
is steeped in history brought back into use to create a quality,
high specification development for which we are renowned. As well
as regenerating the area and bringing affordable/quality housing,
the development will boost the local economy not only in terms of
jobs but also the procurement of materials and services from local
companies.”
Share this article:
Your Comments
0 Comments
Add Comment