Pillars’ £50m Preston apartments win green light

Developer Pillars Holdings is seeking approval from the city council for a scheme comprising 294 apartments on land used as a car park on Avenham Lane. 

The overhaul of Preston’s grade one-listed museum, gallery and library has progressed, with the submission of a planning application for the project.

Contractor Eric Wright has started demolition work as part of plans to redevelop The Park Hotel, which was most recently used as offices by Lancashire County Council, bringing it back into use as a 71-bedroom hotel with a spa and offices. 

Developer Imperial Fairway wants to build 37 homes on a three-acre site close to the headquarters of charity Deafways, despite concerns over a lack of affordable housing provision because of viability constraints. 

Liverpool-based developer Pathway Homes Group and housing association Parasol Homes have refurbished 48 properties for vulnerable adults in Preston as part of a drive to convert redundant buildings around the city. 

The discount supermarket chain has won approval to knock down its existing store at the retail park off Blackpool Road in Preston, to make way for a larger, more modern shop. 

The two city centre residential schemes, one at Preston Docks and another on the site of a former sports hall on Garden Street, will together provide 87 apartments once complete. 

The University of Central Lancashire’s 80,000 sq ft facility in Preston, part of a £200m masterplan, is due to complete next year, now main contractor Bowmer + Kirkland has finished the steel frame. 

Preston City Council has approved the adoption of the Stoneygate masterplan, and is targeting the delivery of 1,600 homes across 61 acres in the city as part of a 15-year regeneration plan.