Preston tipped to approve 160 homes

A new-build scheme just off Winckley Square and conversion of the Miller Arcade’s upper floors are joined by a site in Broughton, with each of the proposals set to be signed off next week.

Preston City Council’s planning committee meets on 6 August, with 63 apartments at Lanson House, 46 at Miller Arcade, and 51 homes off Garstang Road all recommended for approval, subject to conditions.

The Section 106 includes off-site affordable homes. Credit: planning documents

Lanson House

Developer: Blackbrook Hall

Architect: 1618 Architects

Planner: Cassidy + Ashton

The applicant wants to develop two vacant plots: the recently demolished Lanson House and the former Newman College sports hall, at the corner of Mount Street and Garden Street within the city centre.

There are three grade two-listed buildings close to the site: St Joseph’s Orphanage, 27 Winckley Square and 30-31 Winckley Square. In planning terms, the emerging Central Lancashire Local Plan shows part of the site, fronting Garden Street, as allocated for housing.

Outline consent is sought for 53 one-bedroom apartments and 10 two-bedroom apartments housed in a part three- and part five-storey block, set back from the corner of Mount Street and Garden Street. Post-development, this ‘set back’ would provide a landscaped courtyard with outdoor bike racks. Indicative plans also show pedestrian entrances would be provided on both Mount Street and Garden Street.

Officers agree that on-site affordable housing is unviable, and have negotiated a settlement of £68,000 covering offsite provision and education contributions.

Learn more about the Lanson House plans by searching reference 06/2026/0083 on Preston City Council’s planning portal.

Miller Arcade dates back to 1899. Credit: Google Earth

Miller Arcade

Developer: Icon Heritage

Architect: David Cox Architects

Planner: Cassidy + Ashton

Miller Arcade is an important building in Preston, bringing indoor shopping to the city for the first time in 1899. The ground floor remains busy with retail & leisure.

The building is grade two-listed and sits immediately south of The Harris, facing onto Church Street, and also enclosed by Birley Street, Lancaster Road and the Flag Market.

Plans were lodged in February for 46 flats – four studios, 24 one-beds and 18 two-beds – across the three upper floors. No external changes will be made, and the existing door onto Lancaster Road replaced as it becomes the main entrance.

Henderson Heritage is also advising on a project that also requires listed building consent.

Learn more about the Miller Arcade plans by searching reference 06/2026/0150 on Preston City Council’s planning portal.

The site neighbours a school and recently built homes. Credit: planning documents

Garstang Road

Developer: GR Developments (NW)/Oakwood Homes

Architect: Hinton Cook Architects

Planner: The Planning Studio

With outline consent established in 2024, reserved matters approval is sought for a 6.4-acre site west of Garstang Road, north of Bank Hall Farm and south of the Guild Wheel cycle route and Broughton High School playing fields.

The site is classed as open countryside, and there is a recently constructed housing development at The Avenues adjacent.

The application proposes 31 open-market dwellings and 20 affordable homes, with 16 house types offering one- to five-bedroom residences. The affordable homes would be made up of eight one-beds, 10 three-beds and two four-beds.

A 51-home plan was initially put forward for this site in 2021, and was refused in January 2022, but allowed at appeal in 2024.

Learn more about the Garstang Road plans by searching reference 06/2026/0326 on Preston City Council’s planning portal.