Mainway Master Plan, Lancaster City Council

The Mainway site housing project is a major “once-in-a-generation” regeneration scheme in Skerton, Lancaster. The project is multiphase and includes the transformation of a 1960s council housing estate and the neighbouring brown field site of the former Skerton High School. The school site included 135 new energy efficient affordable houses and apartments.

LEDA were appointed by Place Capital Group the lead development partner and we worked alongside Grounded Architects to develop the clients brief and sustainability standards. We explored and modelled many options to meet the energy standards in the brief.

We provided MEP design for the masterplan, influencing the form, scale and orientation of the development and then we developed the building services strategy for each element to enable the project to obtain planning permission. The design of apartments and housing needed to meet the EPC A target and net zero carbon in operation aspirations. Following the detailed modelling we were able to advise on the necessary fabric standards to minimise annual energy demands, meet the heating with minimal equipment and with the optimised orientation and form of the housing we were able to maximise the solar PV and offset energy demands onsite. The scheme will delivery very low energy bills in comfortable healthy homes.

Client:	Lancaster City Council, via Place Capital Group
Services Provided:	MEP Design, Sustainability Advice
Dates:	2021-2023