Lancaster University agrees to Student Residence Plans

On Friday, 19th July 2002 a meeting of Lancaster University Council was held to discuss the proposed plans for future student residences. After lengthy discussion of the financial, legal, planning and design issues surrounding the scheme, the University Council agreed to enter the project.

During the meeting, the newly appointed Student Union President, Mr Liam Danby, aired concerns. The University agreed to consider these relating to continuity, change and phasing. The University has also agreed to set up a Student Accommodation Project Executive, of which the Student Union President is an official member, to advise the University Council throughout the project.

On Monday 22nd July, Lancaster University submitted two detailed planning applications which went before Lancaster City Council's Planning Committee. The first plan was for the redevelopment of ageing, existing college campus buildings. County, Cartmel, Furness, Fylde and Grizedale Colleges are to have new student accommodation and social facilities. The Planning Committee granted the University outline planning permission for these plans.

The second plan was for new student accommodation and expansion of the South West Campus. This is a reinvigoration of the existing 1994 permission that has now expired. The revised plans aim to enhance the design and landscape setting of the proposals from its original planning permission. A decision on this new accommodation has been deferred pending the provision of additional information relating to construction phasing, drainage and transport issues. The University Estates team is meeting with Lancaster City Council at the beginning of August to discuss what information is required.