HCA wins approval for 61-acre Preston resi scheme

THE Homes and Communities Agency has secured planning permission for a major residential scheme in Preston.

It has won consent for 300 homes at the 61-acre Eastway site in Preston where there will also be a link road to form part of the Broughton bypass.

The government agency has also secured a change of use permission from employment to residential at part of the Gemini retail park in Warrington.

The Eastway scheme is one of several large scale housing schemes in Fulwood, north of the city, and the council is drawing up a masterplan that will accommodate an extra 4,000 homes in the area.

HCA area manager Stuart Sage said: “The Eastway site has long been identified as having the potential for development so it is great news that the planning application has been approved. The fact the application was supported by 14 out of 15 councillors on the planning committee is testament to the level of engagement the team put into the project.

“The masterplan evolution has been critical to enhancing the place-making prospects for the site, as well as securing a more viable development. Longer term, this 15-year development will include new infrastructure to support the growth of Preston city centre and surrounding areas, bringing with it new jobs, enhanced communities and economic growth for central Lancashire.”

The Gemini consent, at a plot called Gemini 16, is designed to aid the future growth of the nearby Omega distribution base. Delyse Bailey, also an HCA area manager, said: “Gemini 16 is an important site for disposal and to achieve a residential consent on the land has allowed the Agency to bring the land to the market six months earlier than forecast.  The development of this site will support the economic growth aspirations of Warrington Borough Council.”

The HCA was advised by the planning team at architectural firm BDP in Manchester.