About Aldcliffe Road Triangle

Aldcliffe Road Triangle is a small triangular shaped piece of land between Aldcliffe Rd and the Lancaster Canal, on the south side of Lancaster city centre.

It has been owned for many years by the Canal & River Trust (formerly British Waterways), but was leased to Lancaster City Council for a period of 94 years in 1976. In 2017 the Canal & River Trust sold the freehold of the Triangle to a private purchaser.

Local eyesore

The land has a history of light industrial use, most recently as a boat maker’s yard, but has been disused and neglected since 2004, and the three small buildings on the site have been vandalised and fallen into disrepair. It has been a local eyesore and an occasional source of antisocial and criminal behaviour.

‘Friends of the Triangle’

Local residents and city councillors formed a Friends of the Triangle group with the hope of improving and transforming the land into public green space, and bringing the main building back into use. In June 2012 a ‘Friends of the Triangle’ group was formed, with the aims of transforming the land into public green space and bringing the workshop building back into use.

In December 2012, ‘Friends of the Triangle’ became part of the Fairfield Association, operating as a specialist sub-group which reports to the Fairfield Association Committee, in the same manner as the long-standing Flora, Fauna & Orchard Group (FFOG).

Having negotiated with the City Council and the Canal & River Trust we secured the lease to the land and planning permission for change of use was successfully applied for.

Volunteer sessions

Regular volunteer sessions are held. Work to restore the workshop building is now complete. Two derelict lean-to buildings have been demolished by volunteers. The towpath wall has been lowered. Raised beds have been constructed and planted, paths have been laid.

At the time of writing this (Summer 2019) most of the major work has been completed. Our workshop is regularly used for art exhibitions by local artists. Our annual fair has become a popular local event.

News and updates

To be added to our email list and receive news updates and notification of volunteer sessions and meetings, please sign up here.