This is the edge of the Castle Hill conservation area; it's likely that almost every building in view is subject to some sort of preservation order or planning regulation. Yet there are signs that this is part of a modern city: note the white CCTV camera high on the building above the red traffic light at the centre of the image, and the red & white sign directly above the person on the right indicates that it is not permitted to drink alcohol in the street.
The building with the triangular roof-end and domed tower was the old town hall, and now houses the City Museum and public library.
The chimney on the horizon is the contentious Nightingale Hall 'Farm', a rendering plant for animal... products. It also indicates how narrow Lancaster is - the Museum is more-or-less the middle of the city centre, whereas Nightingale Hall Farm is virtually the edge of the built-up area; beyond that there's a cemetery, hospital, then countryside.