The Preston Tithebarn redevelopment was due to start in 2010, but this looks a distant dream as it has been called into a public inquiry and Grosvenor, one half of the developers, have pulled out. Here’s the ups and downs of the last few years in the Preston Tithebarn project.

16th October 2009 – Grosvenor, one half of the development team behind the Tithebarn development, reveal they are pulling out of the project.

17th September 2009 – Preston City Council and partners are ‘called in’ by the Government Office for the North West to defend the Tithebarn development after complaints by Blackburn and Blackpool Councils.

14th July 2009 – Preston City Council Planning Committee approved application for outline planning permission

18th June 2009 – Tithebarn development is delayed until after 2012 Preston Guild with completion target date moved to 2014

9th February 2009 – Jack Straw, MP for Blackburn, speaks out against the Tithebarn development.

5th February 2009 – Maxine Callow (Blackpool Council) and Alan Cottam (Blackburn with Darwen Council) lead objections from Blackpool & Blackburn over the Tithebarn development that lead to the government holding a public enquiry.

29th January 2009 – The Commission for Architecture and Built Enviromment slates the Tithebarn development plans as ‘monolithic’ and ‘reminiscent of the 1960s’

December 2008 – Cineworld Cinemas also confirm they will be opening a cinema as part of the Tithebarn development

October 2008 – Marks & Spencers confirmed it will join Preston Tithebarn development with plans to build a new store

23rd June 2008 – Preston City Council asks for an extension to the development agreement after failing to find the final £2m to fund the new £20m bus station that forms part of the Tithebarn project

June 2008 – 81% of visitors to the Preston Tithebarn Information Centre say the development will encourage more people to visit the city.

30th May 2008 – Building ban is placed on the Tithebarn area after a government planning inspector rules that a development on Rose Street/Shepherd Street cannot go ahead due to Tithebarn.

Saturday 17th May 2008 – Wednesday 11th June 2008 – Preston Tithebarn Information Centre opens on Lancaster Street, Preston. Over 1,000 people give their views on the development, view plans.

26th March 2008 – Preston’s twice-weekly flea market is left out of plans by the Preston Tithebarn Partnership.

29th December 2007 – Announcement made for Public Consultation over Tithebarn development

31st August 2007 – Australian firm, Lend Lease, join up with Grosvenor for the Tithebarn development. Lend Lease will have a 250-year lease on the site.

26th January 2007 – John Lewis signs up for Tithebarn

Tithebarn resources

Official Tithebarn partnership website

Preston City Council Tithebarn section, includes planning applications

Wikipedia – Preston Tithebarn redevelopment