The land due to be developed is near the Tetrad Factory

A plan for 51 new affordable homes on a former Preston factory site is set to be given the nod.

Mulbury Homes have applied for permission to build on land off Mosley Street in the St Matthews area of the city.

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The land used to be the India Mill, a cotton mill built in 1864. It currently sits vacant and derelict.

Planning officers at Preston City Council have recommended the scheme, which would be the first of three developments in the area, for approval.

A potential £72,000 contribution to educational provision in the local area by the developers has been waived by the council, as the contribution of affordable housing is judged to be more important.

Planning officers write: “The proposed development would bring new affordable housing on a now disused brownfield site.

“Bearing in mind the proposal is for Homes and Communities Agency affordable housing on a brownfield there, there are viabilities issues which justify relaxation of certain requirements, namely achieve of the Code for Sustainable Homes Code Level 4 and a contribution to education provision.”

The scheme could still be derailed as an environmental health report on land contamination issues has not been provided.

Mulbury have the support of local residents group the Friends of Fishwick and St Matthews who say they support the scheme but have concerns about the impact on traffic around the local health centre.

Greg Mulligan, director of Mulbury Homes, said at the time of submitting the plans: “These modern properties will provide much-needed new family housing while at the same time helping to regenerate the local area by revitalising a derelict piece of land.

“We will continue to consult closely with the community and other local stakeholders to bring this valuable development to fruition.”

Artists impressions showing the new homes for the Mulbury site

The £5 million scheme is over 1.13 hectares and would see 12 homes built for shared ownership and 39 for renting.

Councillors on the planning committee will make a decision on the proposal at the planning committee meeting on Monday 2 June at the Town Hall from 10am.

The full plans can be seen on the council website.

Do you live in the area? What do you think of the proposal? Let us know in the comments below