Developer tables £5.5m PRS conversion plan for former Morecambe guesthouses
Placefirst, the Manchester based build-to-rent developer, has submitted a planning application for the £5.5m conversion of 23 former guesthouses into 45 family PRS homes as part of its ongoing regeneration of the historic West End of Morecambe in Lancashire.
Following the success of West End One, a similar conversion development completed in October 2016, Placefirst’s proposals for West End Two are due to go before Lancaster City Council’s planning committee on April 3 with a planning officer recommendation to approve the plans.
Placefirst designs, builds and operates high quality, private rental homes that address the needs of families that cannot, or do not want to, access home ownership.
The company says that through a holistic approach to planning and commitment to fostering social values, each Placefirst development seeks to establish safe, sustainable neighbourhoods where families can settle.
The company is on track to deliver an initial 1,000 units across the North of England on sites that it has secured.
West End Two will see the guest houses converted into homes including two and three bedroom houses and a mix of two bedroom apartments. Subject to planning approval Placefirst anticipate starting work on site by the summer. West End Two will be delivered by Placefirst’s in-house construction arm, Placefirst Construction.
Placefirst managing director David Smith-Milne said: “What we are demonstrating through projects like West End One is that PRS doesn’t just have to be about small, unimaginative apartments in city centres. In fact far from it: the real growth in demand in PRS comes from families with children.
“Thanks to countless failed housing policies and a generally bland supply of starter homes, families are showing they are willing to pay a premium to rent a home in distinctive neighbourhoods that marry great design with expert management.”
Susan Parsonage, Lancaster City Council’s chief executive, said: “The regeneration of Morecambe’s West End is a priority for the council. West End One has already made a huge difference in both changing the perception of the area and its attractiveness to families as a great place to live and the proposals for West End Two provide the potential to build on this success.”
