£30m regeneration job confirmed to deliver affordable housing in Lancaster

Eric Wright Construction has signed a three-year contract to deliver over 100 new affordable homes in Lancaster’s Canal Quarter. 

The contract, which was announced this week, outlines that 139 homes at the 0.9 hectare Coopers Fields site. The new project will be the first phase of the regeneration of the Canal Quarter area, stretching from St Leonard’s Gate to Quarry Road, which is set to provide a total of 580 homes, two public squares and more than 75,000 square feet of commercial space.

Commenting on the news, Eric Wright Construction, a leading North West principal contractor, commercial director, Phil Brown said: ‘We have a long-standing relationship with the area, having delivered the Caton Court project and the Luneside student accommodation project and look forward to utilising our knowledge of green buildings and Passivhaus principles developed on previous schemes to deliver a highly sustainable project.’

Additionally, Lancaster City Council deputy leader, Caroline Jackson, said the selection of Eric Wright was a significant milestone in the plan to revitalise the area.

‘A key ambition of the Canal Quarter masterplan is to breathe new life into this area of Lancaster by providing local people and families with much-needed affordable housing,’ Cllr Caroline Jackson said. ‘The council has appointed Eric Wright under a preconstruction services agreement to collaborate with the design team under early contractor engagement protocols, taking a major step forward in making the ambitious housing vision a reality.’

The Coopers Fields project is led by the council’s housing team, with Anderton Gables acting as retained consultant project manager and PRP as architect for the scheme.

Image: Eric Wright