Preston steps in to unblock Cottam impasse 

The city council has agreed to pay for upgrades to a waste transfer facility close to BXB’s proposed district centre, bringing an end to a stand-off between the developer and Lancashire County Council.

BXB Cottam Properties is now a step closer to being able to deliver Cottam district centre, which has Aldi lined up as its anchor tenant. 

The scheme is aimed at serving the area’s growing population; around 12,000 homes have been built in Cottam in recent years. 

Preston City Council granted BXB planning consent for the redevelopment of the former Cottam Brickworks in March 2021. 

However, the project – which features 123,000 sq ft of retail and leisure uses, and 89 new homes – has stuttered due to wranglings between the developer and the county council. 

The authority requested extra funding, thought to be around £500,000, for upgrades to the nearby waste transfer facility. 

However, BXB said this request came on top of the agreed Section 106 contributions and community infrastructure levy payments, which total in excess of £1m.    

Now, Preston City Council has agreed to pay for the upgrades using funds BXBs S106, meaning the developer is off the hook for any extra contributions.  

“Preston City Council has demonstrated that it respects the wishes of the local community, welcomes investment and prioritises brownfield land,” said BXB director Gary Goodman. 

All that remains now for the scheme to go ahead is for Lancashire County Council to agree the methodology and cost for valuing a small strip of land that will facilitate a new entrance to the site from Tom Benson Way, according to the developer. 

BXB will then purchase the plot and development can commence. 

“We’ve been trying for six years to agree with the county council a methodology for the valuation of the final strip of land, which is simply unprecedented,” Goodman said. 

“Our status as a neighbour makes us a ‘special purchaser’, meaning that the county council can’t sell to anyone else and I am hoping that with this latest development they no longer feel the need to impede what is a popular scheme granted permission through the democratic process.” 

Cottam district centre will cost around £26m to build and could generate £41m of economic output annually, according to BXB.   

 Nexus Planning is planning advisor to BXB. Irwin Mitchell is providing legal counsel.