Lancaster City Council approves community-led regeneration of Ryelands House

Plans to breathe new life into Ryelands House in Lancaster have taken a significant step forward following a decision to lease the historic building to the North Lancashire Community Land Trust (NLCLT).

Subject to planning approval and the finalisation of Heads of Terms, the Grade II listed building will be leased to NLCLT, a not-for-profit, community-based organisation, for an initial period of four years.

By partnering with NLCLT, Lancaster City Council aims to secure a sustainable future for the building, working alongside individuals in the Trust who have considerable experience of restoring and repurposing heritage assets.

Councillor Tim Hamilton-Cox, cabinet member for finance and property, said: "The council’s resources for repairs and maintenance are stretched over a wide portfolio of listed building assets and there has been no commercial interest in taking on Ryelands House.

“Without intervention the property will deteriorate and remain vulnerable to anti-social behaviour. By working with the North Lancashire Community Land Trust we’re taking a proactive approach to preserving the building as a heritage asset, as a beloved feature of the park and as a location for community activities.

“NLCT has produced both an impressively thought-through long-term business plan and an initial, finely detailed two-year budget. They are a credit to the team behind the work.”

The terms of the initial four-year lease enable NLCT to bring Ryelands House into a tenantable condition and will provide time for them to raise the funding necessary to secure the building’s future, with a long-term lease to follow when that has been achieved.

A programme of community consultation will be launched to ensure local people help shape the future of the house. Residents will be invited to share their views through surveys, drop-in sessions, and events at the house itself. The group is also looking for local residents who may want to get involved as volunteers.

Simon Gershon, Director of the North Lancashire Community Land Trust, said: “We’re excited to begin this journey and want Ryelands House to become a real asset for local people. This is about bringing the building back to life, but also about creating something together with everyone in the community.”

Peter Wiltshire, Chair of Lancaster Civic Vision, said: “I am very pleased to hear that the city council has developed a partnership with the North Lancashire Community Land Trust so that Ryelands House will have a positive future.”

The group will provide regular updates and opportunities for residents to get involved soon. For more information please visit www.ryelandshouse.org.uk. 

• A community consultation survey has been released and can be found at https://loom.ly/XZ7xb-o.

Last updated: 11 November 2025