Story looks to start on long-awaited Preston site

Story Homes has submitted a reserved matters application for 147 homes off Preston Road in Grimsargh, a development that has been subject of planning wrangles dating back to a 2014 refusal.

That 2014 application came from Gladman, which won on appeal in May 2016, securing outline consent for up to 150 homes. At the time, Preston City Council declared its intention to challenge the Secretary of State’s decision, but the challenge never materialised and the site was then allocated for housing in the Local Plan.

Story, selected as developer, undertook consultation on its proposals in September of this year, with letters going out to 118 neihbouring addresses. Only seven responses were received, relating to areas including public rights of way and parking.

The development will include apartments, terraced, semi-detached and detached homes of between one and five bedrooms, and will include 35% affordable homes. Story, which is working with Woodcroft Design on the project, said that the plans also include large areas of open space with dedicated play equipment.

A contribution of around £290,000 will be made by Story to cover education and a travel plan as well as the onsite play area. The scheme will also generate a Community Infrastructure Levy payment of around £970,000, the Cumbrian housebuilder said.

Siobhan Sweeney, Story Homes’ planning manager, said: “In the design of our proposal we have paid careful attention to the local area’s use of material and this will be highly visible when travelling around the development.”

Story expects a decision in spring 2019. The business has two further developments in Preston, at D’Urton Manor and Waterside in Cottam.