An artists impression of how the multi-million pound home will look
A luxury home looks set to be built on the edge of Preston.
AdvertisementFashion moguls the Bux family, who started out washing clothes at a steam laundry in the city, want to build on nearly four and a half hectares on farmland near Barton.
Plans show the home would have four levels and cover 2,103 square metres.
It would include a swimming pool, gym, cinema as well as six en-suite bedrooms.
The house would be set within grounds including a walled kitchen garden, lakes and pools.
A private driveway would connect the house to Langley Lane on the way to Goosnargh.
A report to the city council’s planning committee said: “The proposed dwelling would create a country mansion in modern day terms for a local businessman who wishes to apply creative innovative architecture and landscape design to form a contemporary country house for his family and their future generations.”
Preston Rural North councillor Lona Smith called in the planning application on the grounds of its impact on the rural character of the area.
28 letters of objection from local residents have been received, including a letter from Preston North MP Ben Wallace.
Barton Parish Council and Whittingham Parish Council have objected saying it is “out of character for the area”.
The Campaign to Protect Rural England had strong concerns about the location and construction of the proposal.
Officers at Preston City Council’s planning department who have recommended the scheme for approval write: “The proposed dwelling is only acceptable at this location on the basis of its unique and outstanding design and quality which would be beneficial in enhancing the local area and creating a contemporary form of the country manor.
“Neighbour objections have been taken into account but the proposal is unlikely to affect residential amenities due to the separation between dwellings and the use of conditions to control potential light pollution and to minimise disruption to neighbours during the construction phase. As such, the proposal complies with the relevant provisions of the development plan and there are no material considerations which outweigh this finding.”
Councillors meet on Monday 29 September to discuss the plans and make their decision from 10am at the Town Hall.
The Bux family made its fortune through the Voi jeans brand.
Abraham Bux started a steam laundry in Preston in 1983, before in 1988 a denim brand was created. It is now sold in major retailers around the world.
You can see the full plans on the city council website.
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