How the Cottam Hall homes in the Waterside part of the development will look

Great Crested Newts have been caught and relocated in part of Preston ahead of a new housing development being built.

Housebuilders Story Homes have been creating two new ponds for the protected newts before any building can take place on their Cottam Hall project.

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283 homes are due to be built as a first wave of 1,100 homes at the 150 acre site.

Andrew McManus, assistant production manager responsible for Cottam, said: “The first phase of the work involves securing the site, fencing it off and starting initial groundwork. This includes preparation for the new roads and drainage and putting in the foundations for the first plots.

“Once this is done we will be opening our temporary sales unit, where the public can come and take a look at the floor plans and get a better idea of what the houses will look like when they are finished.”

Martin Nugent (right) from Story Homes with ecoloist Rob Wreglesworth from Urban Green, pictured at the newt ponds

The development is part of the North West Preston Masterplan and City Deal, which is putting £430m into new roads and homes in Preston and South Ribble.

Related: Lea Park to be created as part of Cottam Hall Brickworks development

Councillor John Swindells, deputy leader of Preston City Council said: “We are pleased to see this development come forward. It’s an important milestone for the Preston, South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal.

“There’s a strong emphasis too on affordable homes and building long lasting and sustainable communities for the future. And that’s what the City Deal is all about. Building new homes, forging new communities, investing in key infrastructure such as roads as well as public transport and the Guild Wheel to boost Preston’s economy.

“Story Homes clearly sees Preston’s unique potential and we are delighted they are investing and building new homes in the city.”

Aerial view of the Cottam Hall area

The housebuilding firm is spending major cash as part of the development, with £390,000 on a cycle lane on Tom Benson Way, £60,000 to improve the Guild Wheel near the site and £960,000 towards public transport.

County Councillor Jennifer Mein, leader of Lancashire County Council, said: “This is an exciting time for the area with investment in the city centre, new homes being built, new roads being built to help people get around and much more.

“As we grow the local economy and create new jobs, we need to make sure that we have the right homes for people and their families. This new development at Cottam is part of these plans. We’re working closely with the city council, the HCA and our other partners to make this happen.”

What do you think about the Cottam Hall development? Do you live nearby? Let us know in the comments below