Preston refuses to back down on city centre affordability debate
Stoneygate Living has been dealt a blow after the city council rejected the developer’s request to have an onerous condition removed from the planning permission for a 467-apartment project.
Last year, Stoneygate Living wrote to Preston City Council asking for a viability review mechanism to be removed.
Under the terms of a Section 106 agreement, the mechanism allows the authority to reassess the viability of the project in future to see if contributions to affordable housing can be made.
A letter submitted by consultancy Cassidy + Ashton requesting the removal of the mechanism describes it as a “financial obstacle” that creates “uncertainty for investors”.
This uncertainty was reflected in the collapse of a deal for the sale of the site, reported by Place North West in September.
Stoneygate had exchanged contracts with Belgravia for the scheme, which comprises two blocks reaching 16 storeys. However, Belgravia walked away from the deal citing viability constraints.
However, the city council has rejected the request, despite setting a precedent for this sort of change last year.
In October 2024, not long before Stoneygate made its request, the city council removed a viability review mechanism related to the redevelopment of Park Hall overlooking Avenham and Miller parks.
Heaton Group requested the change and Preston obliged, stating that the viability of the project, which includes the redevelopment of a historic building, was unlikely to improve.
A term about beggars and choosers comes to mind
By Andy K
Stupidity yet again by PCC.
Preston needs investment yet the council constantly seems to prevent it.
By Rogers
Is Preston CC turning into a tribute act of Liverpool council? Heaven help the locals if they are.
By More Anonymous than the others
Good decision, developers get away with providing far too little affordable housing
By Anonymous
Good for them. If developers just want to build toys for the rich they can get a Lego Lamborghini.
By Anthony
Anthony, this is Preston not Knightsbridge – hardly building for ‘the rich’ as you put it. Are you also opposed to the housing estates in north Preston that are springing up as well from Broughton onwards and adjacent to the M55? Middle class professionals, younger or older, need somwehere to live and they bring vibrancy, income and therefore job creation and job retention to towns and town cenres, surely welcome given Preston’s need for this. Last time I was there – very recently – it’s city centre was run down to say the least. The developers will just go elsewhere ultimately, so yes, the analogy with Liverpool made by MATTO is a valid one I suspect.
By Anonymous