Area known as the Cuerden site earmarked for development

The next step in a huge new retail and office park to the south of Preston has been taken.

Cuerden Site, next to where the M65 begins, has been earmarked for development by Lancashire County Council for the past five years.

Advertisements

Environmental consultations Barton Wilmore have tabled a report to South Ribble Borough Council giving more detail about the scheme.

It will have 64,500 square metres of new retail space, along with one or a number of a health and fitness club, hotel or food store. There’s also due to be a 1,800 square foot food or beverage building.

More than 100,000 square metres of new office and industrial units are also planned for Cuerden. It also includes 150 new homes.

Read more: Penwortham library could reopen as museum

The scoping document is being put to planners as the initial look at wildlife, archaeological value and more begins.

The county council says 2,500 jobs could be created by the Cuerden site, which runs from the western end of the M65, to the A582 Lostock Lane and Stanifield Lane in the west.

John Jones from the Limit Cuerden campaign said: “There’ll only be one road in and out of this whole site, and that’s off the m65 roundabout. The road network and especially Lostock Lane will not be able to cope with a huge retail park and over 300 houses.

“Look at the traffic on Blackpool Road near Deepdale Retail Park. People will know how congested Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge get when there’s an accident on the motorway. Think how bad it will be with this scheme in the mix. The road network must be reviewed as a priority.

“And a special message to Lancashire County Council, no more traffic lights on roundabouts!

“The point must be made too, surely a huge Middlebrook style retail park at this location would damage Preston, Leyland, Lostock Hall and Bamber Bridge villages, the Capitol Centre, Queen Street Retail Park and Deepdale Retail? Doesn’t that go against all the councils local plans to promote city and town centres?

“Should planning permission be granted I hope councillors are true to their word about protecting the wildlife and making the site as green and attractive as possible.”

One option for the new site, as reported by the Lancashire Evening Post in August, is a new ‘super hospital’ for Central Lancashire could be built.

Read more: Tank roundabout roadworks completed on the A582

You can see the environmental report on the South Ribble Borough Council website.

What do you think of the Cuerden development? Let us know in the comments below