East of the city centre, Lancaster’s Canal Quarter is a mix of 16 acres of surface car parks, disused industrial buildings, cultural spaces and independent retail units. Lancaster City Council has a vision which aims to transform the area into a vibrant, sustainable, and active place which integrates with both the city centre and the canal waterside. This vision allows contemporary development and hidden heritage assets to combine, creating a diverse and mixed-use neighbourhood.

With the city’s bus station immediately opposite the site, and the rail station less than ten minutes walk, the district is highly accessible. Lancaster’s Marketgate and St. Nicholas Arcades shopping centres are close by, and there are good road/traffic-free cycle routes to both Lancaster University and the University of Cumbria’s Lancashire campus. 

Regeneration of the Canal Quarter area is critical to enhancing Lancaster’s role as a sub-regional centre. With a focus on residential, commercial, arts and leisure use, it will further boost Lancaster’s housing, business, and leisure offer. Over the next ten years it is envisaged that key gap and derelict sites within the wider site envelope will be addressed.

The Canal Quarter also has the potential to benefit from Lancaster’s fast-growing technology and digital economy. The Fraser House co-working hub – a shared workspace for tech SMEs – is close by, while Lancaster University’s world-leading cyber R&D offer will see it linking up with the National Cyber Force HQ at Samlesbury as part of the North West Cyber Corridor.

Site details

Size of site: 16 acres

Location: Edward Street, Lancaster, LA1 1QH

Connectivity: Lancaster is 21 miles from Preston and 6 miles from Morecambe. 

Access to M6 is at Junction 34 (2.3 miles, 10 minute drive). 

Regular rail services to London Euston (3hrs 10m), and Manchester Airport (1hr 20m)

Scheme value: Circa £90m

Planning status: Adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document to Lancaster’s Strategic Regeneration Framework

Promoter: Lancaster City Council / Maple Grove Developments / Riverstone Developments