77-home HCA scheme set for go-ahead

New-look plans by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) to develop 77 homes on the edge of Lancaster city centre are on the verge of securing the go-ahead.Lancaster City Council’s planning committee is due to determine the HCA’s hybrid planning application to transform an 8.4-acre plot of land at Royal Albert Farm on Pathfinders Drive to the south of the city centre on Monday, 11 December 2017. The site borders an operational NHS facility known as the Orchards.The HCA is seeking outline permission to construct 71 homes and full consent to convert the existing Derby Home building into six apartments.A mix of house types is envisaged for the site and the illustrative masterplan allows for a variety of three-, four- and five-bedroom properties to provide quality family housing. Meanwhile, Derby Home would contain three one-bed, two two-bed and one three-bed apartments.In May 2015, the HCA submitted an outline planning application to redevelop the site, which included the case for demolishing Derby Home. Following discussions with the local authority, it is now proposed that Derby Home would be retained.Ahead of the meeting, a report prepared by planning officers has recommended that the scheme should be approved.The scheme’s planning consultant is Nexus Planning while Broadway Maylan has provided design and masterplanning.