Preston to approve BTR backtrack, 380 homes

Portergate Developments’ proposals to build a 19-storey apartment block will return to the committee as a 100% open market development, while Onward Homes is awaiting the verdict on its Horrocks Mill scheme.

Preston City Council is expected to approve both applications at a planning meeting Thursday.

Junction of Moor Lane and Walker Street

Application number: 06/2023/0091

Having received planning permission in July to build 120 build-to-rent apartments, Portergate now wants to backtrack on the BTR element of the approved scheme to offer all units for open market sale.

The Buttress-designed project would deliver a part five-, part 19-storey residential block on the corner of Moor Lane and Walker Street.

Known as Moor House, the development was approved subject to a Section 106 agreement with a minimum covenant period of 30 years for the build-to-rent units, as well as a clawback mechanism in the event that any build-to-rent units were to be sold.

Portergate regards these obligations as too restrictive, with a viability statement prepared by Roger Hannah highlighting that the agreement should be relaxed.

Proposals have not been changed in terms of design, and the scheme would still feature 16 one- and 104 two-bedroom flats built opposite the University of Central Lancashire’s newly constructed student centre.

Currently vacant, the Adelphi Quarter site was previously home to a gas training centre, which was demolished in 2017.

Martin Planning is the scheme’s planning consultant. Ridge and Partners is the transport consultant. The Environment Partnership is the environmental consultant.

There would be a mix of apartments, flats, and family homes. Credit: via Onward Homes

Former Horrocks Mill

Application number: 06/2023/0818

Onward Homes is anticipating receiving outline planning permission for its plans to deliver 380 homes on the site of the former cotton manufacturing plant, located between Queen Street and Church Street.

DK Architects has drawn up the plans for the redevelopment of the land once occupied by Horrocks Mill, with an illustrative masterplan for the plot featuring a mix of apartments, townhouses, and family homes.

Onward intends to provide more than the required 30% affordable housing provision subject to viability, according to a planning statement.

Access to the site would be taken from a new junction off Queen Street, as well as a second road proposed to be created off Grimshaw Street.

The site is now vacant and used as an open-air car park since the demolition of Horrocks Mill in 1965, although being allocated for development under Preston’s local plan.

Onward held a public consultation in June for feedback on its plans for the land, owned by property developer Brookhouse Group, with plans submitted in July.

Nexus Planning is the planning consultant for the scheme. The project team also includes Bowland Tree Consultancy, Lanpro, ERAP, Sutcliffe, BEK, and Vectos.