MyMainway update - cabinet report
When we last wrote to everyone on Mainway back in September 2021 discussions were ongoing about the former Skerton High School Site becoming part of the project. The Council’s Cabinet met on Tuesday 7th December 2021 and approved in principle the purchase of the school site. This is a potentially exciting development and is another step along the way to delivering the redevelopment of Mainway.
The cabinet report is public, and you can view a copy by clicking here.
If you are interested in attending or participating in future Cabinet meetings you will find information how to do this here.
What does this mean?
The school site is a large piece of land which could be developed with additional housing and other services and amenities.
As explained in the Cabinet report, this could potentially increase housing numbers, improve housing mix (e.g. the types of housing on Mainway), deliver amenities and services (alongside the extra housing), provide playing fields for community and sports group use, and improve access to and from Mainway for pedestrians, cycles, and vehicles, linking the riverside to Ryelands and beyond.
The next step
There is still work to be done to acquire the school site. It could yet take 12-18 months, partly because the Department for Education and Secretary of State must consider the application for us to acquire what is currently educational land.
But this recent decision by Cabinet means that detailed plans and options for Mainway can now be presented to Cabinet in the new year (2022). It is hoped this will give us all a clearer picture of what the development of Mainway will look like and how long it might take.
Thank you for being patient
This is a big project and all the joint work and the brilliant co-operation from residents, businesses and services in the area has made us even more determined to make your homes and neighbourhood one of the best places to live in the Lancaster district.
We know how important this is to you and that you would like some clear information about the future of your homes and your neighbourhood.
The decision to push on with the possible purchase of the school site is another piece of the jigsaw and potentially an exciting step in the right direction. We hope that the next cabinet decision in the new year will really start to narrow down the options and give a clear picture of the future.
Any questions?
We had planned to hold a public meeting before Christmas to answer any questions you currently have, but due to current Covid guidance we feel that arranging a public gathering is not wise at this time.
Please ask your questions by dropping in to the MyMainway Hub (7 Owen Rd), emailing mymainway@lancaster.gov.uk, or ringing 01524 582929. (Please note that at time of writing the Mainway hub is closed due to recent rise in Covid cases – we hope to reopen in the new year.)
Thank you
For your continued input and contributions to the project, and for your patience.
