Tithebarn gets council nod
THE £700m redevelopment of Preston city centre has been given the green light by council planners.
The 37-acre Tithebarn development, which has been more than 10 years in the making, moved a step closer to realisation last night as the council’s planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the scheme, after more than two days of deliberation.
The size of the scheme means the final decision, which is subject to a number of conditions and legal agreements, will now be referred to Secretary of State, who will decide whether the scheme can now go ahead or whether it now needs to go to public enquiry – a distinct possibility given objections from neighbouring authorities Blackpool and Blackburn.
Central to the proposal by developers Grosvenor Estates and Lendlease is a 230,000 sq ft John Lewis store, plus a 150,000 sq ft Marks and Spencer plus around 85 other retail outlets.
The development, which is bordered by Carlisle Street, Church Row, Church Street, Lancaster Road, the ringroad and the listed buildings in the civic quarter, will also include around 500 apartments, a cinema and around 18 restaurants.
Malcolm McVicar, chairman of Preston Vision, which is tasked with improving inward investment and regeneration in the city, said: “We are very pleased with today’s decision, which is an important milestone.
“The Tithebarn development represents a major opportunity for the North West, offering job opportunities, commercial potential and improved quality of life for many people throughout the region.
“We are still in the early stages of making Tithebarn a reality, but the sustained commitment of the developers is a major tribute to Preston’s powerful combination of infrastructure, population and commercial appeal.”
