Preston contractor chosen for 139 affordable home scheme
Preston-based Eric Wright Construction has been selected by Lancaster City Council as the main contractor for a new affordable housing scheme in Lancaster’s Canal Quarter, following a competitive tender.
The tender process for Coopers Fields was publicly run through the North West Construction Hub high value framework for projects over £25m.
Coopers Field is an early phase of Lancaster’s Canal Quarter regeneration that will contribute towards making Lancaster City Council an organisation that is carbon neutral by 2030.
The scheme will prioritise sustainable urban living by maximising renewable energy opportunities and looking to reduce the impact of the construction process by minimising elements of embodied carbon where possible.
Coopers Fields is a 0.9 hectare development site located within the Canal Quarter in Lancaster City Centre consisting of Upper and Lower St. Leonardgate council-owned surface car parks.
This will support the delivery of around 139 new affordable homes within the district.
Phil Brown, commercial director at Eric Wright Construction, said: “Following our appointment on to the North West Construction Hub’s high value framework, we’re pleased to have been appointed on this major affordable housing scheme in Lancaster and provide much needed homes for the people of Lancaster.
“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.”
The Coopers Field project is led by the council’s housing team with Anderton Gables acting as its retained consultant project manager and PRP as its architect for the scheme.
Cllr Caroline Jackson, deputy leader of Lancaster City Council and cabinet member with responsibility for housing, said: “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.”
