An artists impression of how the multi-million pound home will look

A gigantic luxury home plan for the edge of Preston has been knocked by councillors.

The Bux family, the Preston-based denim fashion moguls, applied to build a 2,103 square metre country manor in fields near Goosnargh.

Councillors on Preston City Council’s planning committee refused to support planning officers recommendation to approve the development.

The home, which would be off Langley Lane near Barton, faced objections from local residents and councillors.

Richard Percer, who represented 16 local properties, spoke against the application.

He said: “The reason for recommending this scheme for approval is because it is classed as innovative and outstanding.

“But I would ask you this, what is innovative and outstanding about these plans? They say it will use renewable energy, by having solar panels on the roof. Not new.

“It will use Portland Stone. This is not common within the Preston area but it is hardly innovative.

“This is nothing more than a big house, in a big field but in a lovely place.”

The architect for the scheme, Roger Stephenson, spoke in support of the application – and defended the design of the building.

He said: “We want this to be award-winning. It is not a country house in the way say Chatsworth is, but it is a country house for a modern age and a modern family.”

Alban Caddisy, acting as agent for the Bux family, said the house was a “one-off opportunity for Preston”.

He said: “In the 1800s Preston went through an industrial boom, based on the cotton industry. Well, now we have a successful family in the denimal industry who want to settle in Preston and create a home to last generations.

“This would become a home for the whole city to be proud of. And while, yes, we may not all see it we will know it is there.

“For the family they wanted to be within the Preston borders. Not in South Ribble and not out on the Fylde. This was the location needed and we have a chance to create a very special building.”

Preston Rural North councillor Lona Smith spoke against the application.

She said: “Normally I am here about larger developments which threaten the greenbelt and the open fields around our city. We understand there needs to be some building to meet Preston’s growing popula

Planning officers had recommended the scheme for approval saying although building on open farmland was generally restricted, for buildings of true architecural merit it could be allowed.

Opinion was split between councillors on the committee, with one referring the designs as “like a Tardis” while another said the city needed to give developments like Langley Lane a chance.

Councillors were asked to vote on whether they supported the recommendation for approval, with seven for and seven against it was up to committee chairman councillor Brian Rollo to vote.

He said he could not support such a development and voted against, triggering a motion to refuse the application which was supported.

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