A STRIKING design combining listed buildings with a modern glass and steel structure looks set to be the way forward for a key city centre site.

A combination of apartments, office space, leisure facilities and retail developments has been selected as the future shape of Kingsway.

Members of Lancaster City Council's cabinet chose the proposals by Liberty Properties Plc and Crosby Homes ahead of four other bidders.

Cllr James Airey, cabinet member for regeneration said: "This gateway to the city has been stagnant for far too long.

"The top end of the city has needed a significant landmark and in this design we have precisely that.

It's an exciting and innovative design, bringing leisure facilities and contributing sustainability via the development of homes on a brownfield site close to the city centre.

"It is precisely what the Government is asking us to do, it complies with the Local Plan and will be extremely sympathetic to the area.

It really stood out from the rest in terms of fitting the planning brief.

" The key to this now is deliverability and we certainly feel it is a deliverable project which should be welcomed as a significant addition to the city."

A spokesperson for Crosby Homes said it would be responsbile for the 72 apartments on site.

The development was, she added, still at an early stage and would be subject to planning approval.

The Kingsway site has been the subject of much speculation since the closure of the former leisure centre at the northenr edge of the city centre.

A £40 million hotel and retail development by Chelverton Propertiers had been agreed by councillors, but eventually collapsed after two years of discussions with the city council broke down without any agreement on variations to the ambitious design.

Chelverton was part of one of the unsuccesful groups which put forward plans for Kingsway.

That deal would also have netted £4 million for the site's owners, Lancaster City Council.