£8m city centre plan unveiled

The plan is to be considered by the city council

An £8m blueprint for a revamp of Lancaster city centre has been unveiled.

Developers believe the 50,000 square foot building project could create up to 150 jobs if planning permission is granted.

The project, on Damside Street, would include offices and shops.

Lancaster Property Network (LPN) bosses also hope to build luxury apartments on the site.

The company said a further 100 construction jobs would be created during its development.

'Ideal space'

The development, called "The Millrace", is designed to maintain the Georgian atmosphere of nearby St George's Quay.

LPN's director John Sanderson said it is a prominent site with good access to transport links and has already generated interest.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "It wouldn't surprise me in the least if all the office space goes even virtually before we've got planning permission.

"We've spoken to one company that wants to re-locate specifically to Lancaster and we've got possibly the ideal office space for them."

If the development is granted planning permission building work would begin in May next year, LPN said.