£7.3m new homes scheme set to regenerate Preston’s Percy Street

Plans have been lodged for a development that will regenerate two underused sites and boost much-needed housing provision in Preston city centre.

Based on Percy Street the scheme would see 52 new apartments delivered at Chadderton Court and Crompton Court.

Submitted by North West planning consultancy PWA Planning on behalf of developer Premier Sagar, the plans are set to bring to life the four-storey Crompton Court, comprising eight apartments on the site of a small private car park with just eight spaces.

The current Chadderton Court building, which houses 12 flats, will also be demolished to make way for 29 one-bedroom and 15 two-bedroom apartments across 14 storeys.

The proposed vision makes better use of the sites by boosting the provision of high-quality city centre housing, while contributing towards the regeneration of the area.

The site sits within the boundaries of the Stoneygate regeneration framework to the east of the bus station, where Preston City Council envisages the creation of an ‘urban village’.

Designed by architect FWP, the new development is sympathetic to its surroundings, including a Grade II listed 18^th century former unitarian chapel, which now also houses apartments and sits between the two proposed buildings.

Designed with conservation in mind, the scheme ensures the chapel – which is Preston’s oldest place of worship – retains strong sight lines and is still available to view from street level.

Daniel Hughes, associate at PWA Planning, said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Premier Sagar and to have submitted plans for this scheme that will help plug the gap for high quality homes in this area of Preston, while also contributing towards the wider regeneration of the area.”

A spokesperson from Premier Sagar, added: “We’re really excited to be part of the regeneration of Stonygate. Having previously saved this site from long term dereliction in 1996 with the Chadderton and Crompton development, while also retaining the listed building at the former chapel, we are now working closely with PWA Planning and FWP on the new proposal and design to significantly upgrade the site with conservation in mind.”

Brent Clayton, partner at FWP, said: “We have worked closely with the developer to bring forward a project in keeping with the transformation of the Stoneygate area of the city that we are seeing gathering momentum.

“If approved the development will play its part in the creation of the new and vibrant urban village that will bring people and prosperity into this part of Preston.

“We believe our proposals will regenerate two currently underused areas and deliver much needed high-quality housing, helping to realise the vision and objectives set out in the Stoneygate regeneration framework.

“As a Preston based firm, we are committed to playing our part in the wider regeneration of the city and helping deliver projects that make a positive difference.”

It is the latest major Preston development FWP, based in Ribblesdale Place in the city centre, has been involved in.

The architecture, design and masterplanning practice led on the redevelopment of Preston’s historic markets and is part of the team looking at the rebirth of the city’s historic Park Hotel. FWP also led on the acclaimed redevelopment of Preston North End’s Deepdale stadium.