Temporary use sought for site of 469-flat Preston scheme

Stoneygate Living is seeking permission to use a city centre site earmarked for two 16-storey residential buildings for open storage after the sale of the plot fell through last year.

Belgravia had exchanged contracts with Stoneygate to acquire the site of the 469-apartment Stoneygate Central but pulled out of the £6.3m deal citing viability constraints.

Now, Stoneygate plans to offer up part of the site for use by companies requiring outdoor storage while work to sell the site continues in the background. An application seeking a temporary change of use to open storage for a three-year period has been submitted to Preston City Council.

This strategy is aimed at generating an income for the owner and addressing issues that have arisen since the former Dryden Mill was demolished.

A planning statement submitted by Cassidy + Ashton states: “Whilst the intention remains for the site to be sold with the benefit of outline planning permission, it is acknowledged that the process will mean it is unlikely development will commence on site within the next three years.

“In the meantime, it has been evidenced on site that it has become a target for fly-tipping and therefore an active usage is sought on a temporary basis.”

After the Belgravia deal fell through, Stoneygate sought permission to remove a mechanism embedded within the planning consent that would allow the council to retest the viability of the scheme at a later date with a view to forcing the developer to potentially provide affordable homes within the scheme.

A letter submitted by consultancy Cassidy + Ashton requesting the removal of the mechanism described it as a “financial obstacle” that creates “uncertainty for investors”.

Preston City Council is yet to make a decision on that application.