Fourteen new homes could be built on the site of a former institute for the deaf in Preston.

What was the Royal Cross Institute in Fishwick is mostly demolished and plans are recommended for approval for new homes.

Owner of Preston based charity Recycling Lives, Steve Jackson OBE, is behind the scheme.

Steven Jackson

He wants to build ten four-bedroom homes with single garages and four five-bedroom homes with double garages.

One building left on the site would be demolished.

The proposed Royal Cross scheme also includes changes to the junction of Glenluce Drive so it has easier access from Brockholes Brow.

Currently there is a very sharp turn in to the road which then goes by the Deafway building.

Nearly £60,000 will need to be paid by Jackson to the county council to secure five additional school places in the local area, because of the size of the development.

One letter of support and one letter against the development were received by the city council, both expressed concerns about the access from the Glenluce and Brockholes Brow junction.

Fishwick councillor Martyn Rawlinson said the Section 106 – where the developer must contribute funds to the community – needed redrawing.

He said: “The development appears acceptable to most residents, there have been rumours of a housing application on this site for many years and I believe some residents feared a mini-housing estate would be built with far more units than is proposed.

“The only complaint I have is the inclusion of a section 106 contribution towards extra school places. There are five primary schools fairly close to the development, not all of which are full. Also, the families who can afford to buy these four and five bedroom detached properties are likely to send their children to schools outside the area anyway.

“There is a far more pressing need for a contribution towards local green space and leisure infrastructure. The Guild Wheel is a stone’s throw from this site and is not the finished article. Access to the Guild Wheel is very difficult from Brockholes Brow with just one narrow footpath alongside the very busy three lane carriageway. Fishwick Bottoms Local Nature Reserve is also close by and is constantly being developed. Ribbleton Park is just a few hundred yards away and is desperately in need of upgrading. Local community facilities are also run-down and in need of improvement. A Section 106 contribution should address these needs first.”

Deafway have commented to say they want it ensured they can still have easy access to their car park.

Royal Cross was demolished in 2011, it was built in 1894 by Mary Cross. It operated until 1990.

The Royal Cross School pictured in 1902

You can view the full plans for the site on the council website.

The plans will be heard at the Preston City Council planning committee on Monday 1 September.

Pictures from the Preston Digital Archive and UK Urbex forum