Four new units could be approved for Deepdale Retail Park

Three major furniture and homeware retailers could set up stores in the city if plans to expand Deepdale Retail Park are agreed.

Retail Park bosses have been locked in dispute with Preston City Council’s planning committee to get agreement to convert old warehouses into new retail units.

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Oak Furniture Land, CSL and Harveys have all agreed contracts to move in – pending agreement for the plans – and state they could not use a city centre locations due to the nature of their goods.

In April the Retail Park had the same application refused by the committee due to traffic concerns in the area and that it would take business away from the city centre.

Planning officers write about the Deepdale Co-Ownership Trust’s new application: “The proposal seeks bulk goods comparison retail approval only and pre-contract agreements with further/carpet retailers to occupy the units if approval is to be granted.

“The information further expands to state that the possible occupants, as a result of their bulky goods nature, would not be users which would locate within the city centre.”

Officers state the application should be approved at the planning committee meeting on Monday 1 July.

They write: “The regeneration benefits from redeveloping the former Booker warehouse building with a mixed used development would create further employment opportunities in the local area.”

Two letters of objection have been received from city centre residents claiming the proposal would have a negative impact on the city centre.

View the full plans on the council website.

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