Property report: Heading in the right direction

Work is underway to move forward several major strategic developments planned across Lancashire.

The schemes are being advanced to enable the county’s future growth, levelling up and regeneration plans and bring with them the prospect of thousands of new jobs, increased skills and investment.

The county council says it is currently proactively working with a wide range of public and private sector partners to deliver regionally, nationally and internationally significant schemes and develop new innovation opportunities within these major strategic sites and key infrastructure programmes.

Major projects the county council is working on include:

• Lancashire Central strategic employment site
• Farington cricket project
• Preston Station Quarter Regeneration Framework
• South Lancaster Growth Catalyst
• Eden Project North
• Samlesbury Enterprise Zone

Aidy Riggott, cabinet member for economic development and growth at County Hall, says: “Our pipeline of major projects across the county has an estimated value of more than £20bn.

“We’re working in partnership to create high-quality strategic development sites and developing our infrastructure to meet future business needs, as well as unlocking opportunities for new, emerging sector clusters.

“Several projects are at the forefront of supporting activity in innovation and technology, and many are being delivered right now.

“We’re working collaboratively with public and private sector partners, including our district council colleagues to help them to deliver their strategic objectives, as well as our own.

“We also recognise the importance of the zero-carbon agenda, so we’re working with our partners to explore and deliver innovation opportunities. We’re also working to shape the future for Lancashire’s population with wellbeing and social value forming a key part of our work.”

The Preston Station Quarter Regeneration Framework sees the council working with Preston City Council and the University of Central Lancashire to develop a framework to help landowners and developers by providing a more joined-up guide to future development.

It sets out a blueprint for how this area of the city could be developed to bring jobs and growth. The aim is to develop a significant volume of offices and new commercial and educational opportunities, as well as new housing.

Alongside improved connectivity and infrastructure, the framework also aims to create new landscaping and a high-quality public realm to improve the station quarter as a place to live, work and visit. 

On the Farington Cricket project, the council is working in partnership with Lancashire Cricket Club to develop proposals for a new, year-round high-quality sports facility in central Lancashire, bringing together elite and community cricket in one development.

It would provide new professional standard facilities for the club and be a valuable asset for the local community with multiple benefits to health and wellbeing. A planning application is currently being finalised for submission.

Meanwhile, the Samlesbury Enterprise Zone continues to move forward, with assets already located there including the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, which will help to drive forward technology and productivity improvements.

A council spokesperson says: “Already home to world-class businesses, there continues to be strong potential occupier interest in this site and the county council are currently working with those parties to understand their accommodation requirements and work together to bring them to this exciting and developing site.”