OVERVIEW & SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

Lancaster

10 October 2012

Briefing Note of Head of Regeneration & Planning

PURPOSE OF REPORT To update members on the latest position on

This report is public

INTRODUCTION

1. Since the closure of the prison, the has taken back responsibility for the management of Lancaster Castle. All that currently remains active on the site are the court and visitor facilities. The Duchy has also taken steps to remove some of the demountable structures put in place by the Ministry of Justice.

2. Upon reoccupying the castle, the Duchy engaged specialist consultants to evaluate viable options to bring it into use in a manner which could address the Duchy’s requirements for a commercial income to assist in the maintenance of this historic structure. The Assistant Head (Policy and Delivery) for the City Council’s Regeneration and Planning Service provided the consultants with extensive briefings on the planning and economic development context in which new uses should be considered.

3. During the preparation of the Consultation Draft Lancaster District Local Plan, which was approved by Council on 12 September 2012 for the purposes of public consultation, officers prepared a specific policy for Lancaster Castle which is intended to set out the Council’s aspirations for its redevelopment. The policy is deliberately linked to the Cultural Heritage Strategy and reads as follows:

Lancaster Castle

The Council, as planning authority, will support the appropriate regeneration and re-use of the Grade I Listed and nationally significant Lancaster Castle and associated buildings where it delivers the actions and aspirations of the Council's Cultural Heritage Strategy. The conservation-led regeneration of the Grade I Listed Lancaster Castle for a range of uses which are appropriate and sympathetic to its historical importance and strategic location within Lancaster District will be encouraged where:

i. Development proposals retain and protect the intrinsic qualities of the Castle which including its historic fabric and layout; ii. Proposals incorporate high quality design and use of materials which respect the character and setting of historic assets on site; iii. Proposals are accompanied by a viable Conservation Strategy for the ongoing maintenance of the Grade I Listed Building; iv. Proposals make a significant and positive contribution to enhancing the attractiveness of the as a visitor centre and visitor destination in accordance with the Council's Cultural Heritage Strategy; v. Proposals provide strong linkages to create seamless integration between the proposal, the existing City centre and Quay Meadows; vi. Proposals do not have an adverse impact on traffic and highway management in the City centre, or the amenity and operation of neighbouring residents and businesses; vii. Proposals utilise the areas sustainable location in relation to the railway station and bus station; and viii. Proposals preserve and enhance the character and appearance of Lancaster Conservation Area.

4. This policy will be subject to public consultation and may be considered for revisions if representations are received in relation to it at the end of the consultation period in December 2012.

5. The Duchy of Lancaster has now considered the findings of its consultants’ study and has issued a press release (appended to this report) outlining the options it intends to pursue and stating its intent to consult the public this Autumn on these options.

6. A selection of Members from both the County Council and City Council, together with key officers, were privately briefed on the findings prior to the press release. This Council’s Leader and Deputy were in attendance. The Duchy of Lancaster was keen to test initial reaction before going public.

7. From the City Council’s point of view, the officer opinion is that the proposals are exciting and very encouraging. They accord with the draft policy in the Local Plan and, if deliverable, will create a nationally and even internationally renowned visitor attraction for the city. Combined with emerging development at the Canal Corridor North, the Council’s aspirations for the Square Routes project and other planning related projects in the City Centre, a major step change in Lancaster’s visitor offer is possible.

Andrew Dobson 24 September 2012

PR 152 18th September 2012

Plans for Lancaster Castle move a step closer

Following a six-month study by heritage experts Malcolm Reading Consultants (MRC) and workshops with key stakeholders, potential plans for Lancaster Castle have moved a step closer.

Ideas and concepts for the historic landmark have been considered by the Duchy of Lancaster Council and will be presented to the public at an exhibition scheduled for the end of October 2012.

The Duchy wants to ensure that the castle has a sustainable future by preserving its fabric, encouraging people to use the building and its grounds and providing a diverse range of activity. It is proposed therefore, that the castle complex is transformed into a new mixed-used urban quarter, which could include a potential visitor attraction, boutique hotel, plus arts and performance space.

The concept for the visitor attraction is a museum highlighting judicial and penal history in Britain throughout the last 1,000 years. A number of the existing prison buildings would be sympathetically converted and historic structures such as Adrian’s Tower, the and the Witches Dungeon used to illustrate the castle as a place of incarceration.

A boutique hotel would offer high quality, four-star accommodation comprising 50-75 rooms with the scope to include a signature restaurant, conference and events space, luxury facilities such as spa and gym, plus suites which could cater for wedding parties.

In addition to the hotel and visitor attraction, there is also potential for additional commercial and cultural uses, such as areas for artists’ studios and workshops, as well as public art displays, outdoors performances and festivals. The Duchy has also had initial discussions with regarding using part of the space for some of its departments or conferences.

Further information on the plans will be displayed at a public exhibition, which will take place at Lancaster Castle from Monday, 29 th October – Friday, 2 nd November 2012. Members of the public will be able to provide their feedback on the initial proposals and speak to representatives from the Duchy of Lancaster and MRC.

Paul Clarke, CEO at the Duchy of Lancaster said: “We have reached an exciting phase in the future of Lancaster Castle and are really looking forward to sharing our ideas with the local community.

“We still have a long way to go in terms of finalising the plans to ensure that the vision is financially viable and deliverable, but this initial proposal is a major step forward. We are confident that our ideas would enable Lancaster Castle to become a powerful new tourist attraction that would significantly boost the local economy, create jobs and transform the use of the city centre for residents and visitors.

“We hope that local people will take the opportunity to visit the exhibition next month to learn more about the plans and provide their feedback.”

Malcolm Reading, chairman of MRC said: “We’ve been encouraged by the appetite locally to engage with this fascinating project. A building of many aspects and many lives, the castle will absorb change and prove itself again as a great asset to the city and wider county.

“Until now it’s been closed-in on itself, both as a fortress and a prison, but as the Duchy opens it up, it will be re-discovered. It will be satisfying to see this emblematic, confident architecture put to better purpose and speak to new audiences.”

In addition to the public consultation, the Duchy will undertake detailed financial modelling and viability studies to help finalise its initial plans by the end of this year. If viable, it is hoped that planning permission would be achieved by early 2014 and that work would start by the end of the same year with the new development being open by spring 2017.

-ends – Press contacts: Emily Crellin / Zoe Ensor / Michael Blakeney Good Relations North Tel: 01625 506413/443/444 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Notes to editor :

Founded in the 13th century, The Duchy of Lancaster is a private portfolio of land, property and assets held for the Sovereign in right of His or Her Duchy of Lancaster. Today, The Duchy of Lancaster is custodian of 18,700 hectares across England and Wales, including key urban developments, historic buildings, high-quality farm land and areas of great natural beauty.

The Queen, as Sovereign, is entitled to the income from the Duchy estate, but not the capital or any capital gains which must be preserved for future Dukes of Lancaster.

For more information, visit www.duchyoflancaster.co.uk

Malcolm Reading Consultants provides pre-project services, briefing and strategic advice on capital projects in the UK and worldwide.

Its team specialises in the arts, culture, heritage and public realm, helping clients achieve world-class design for their buildings through selecting, briefing and managing teams.

The company is the leading independent organiser of international architectural competitions based in the UK. MRC’s competitions attract award-winning, established practices as well as young and emerging designers.

Clients include: The National Maritime Museum, Westminster Abbey, The Royal Opera House, The UK Supreme Court, The Foreign and Commonwealth Office and The Victoria and Albert Museum amongst others.

For more information, visit www.malcolmreading.co.uk

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