4,000-home masterplan drawn up for Preston

A blueprint for the development of up to 4,000 new homes in Preston is being prepared by Preston City Council with a view to attracting higher paid jobs to the city.

In partnership with Lancashire County Council and the Homes & Community Agency (HCA), the north west Preston master plan aims to create a framework for the best possible development of this area of Preston, which is close to the M6/M55 interchange.

Road improvements, public transport provision, walking and cycling routes, locations for green space, schools and community facilities, and housing densities and house types, will all be considered by the master plan.

The City Council has appointed URS Infrastructure and Environment Ltd as lead consultants, to assist them in the production of the master plan and ensure it is prepared quickly.

Councillor John Swindells, deputy leader of Preston Council, said:“Preston is a great place to live and there is much demand from housing developers to build and invest here.  But it is very much a case of ‘chicken and egg’.

“Preston does not yet have the roads, schools or community infrastructure ready to support up to 4,000 new homes.  There’s no point building the homes for people to get snarled up in traffic, or for children to have no school or play areas.  It is also important to get the right mix of development in terms of affordable, starter homes and also family homes.

“That’s why we are preparing a comprehensive master plan of the whole north west Preston area.  This will help to work out exactly what type of development and supporting infrastructure is needed for the new residents that will live there.”

Marcus Hudson, head of planning at Lancashire County Council, added: “We are pleased to be working closely with Preston City Council on the north west Preston master plan.  Supporting growth and new development in and around Preston is good for the area but also the county's wider economic prospects and attracting new higher wage jobs into Lancashire. "This housing is crucial to Preston's fortunes and it's vital that we get the balance of development and supporting infrastructure right.  This master plan will form a key part of the Preston City Deal, which the County Council is also pleased to be working on as it will bring hundreds of millions of pounds of investment and new jobs into Preston.”