How six unused buildings and places around Preston can be developed for new homes is the challenge for planning consultants.
AdvertisementCushman and Wakefield have been appointed by Preston City Council to deliver more than 800 new houses and flats across the city.
From the former St Joseph’s Orphanage to what used to be Tulketh High School the six sites, part of the Preston Housing Zone, are earmarked for tackling the city’s housing shortage.
Leader of the city council councillor Peter Rankin said: “This is a key appointment and critical to our plans for the future development of Preston City Centre. It’s about making it as easy as possible for developers to invest. About marketing the City and making it clear that Preston is a fantastic location to live and work.
“The opportunities are here in Preston, the infrastructure is here in Preston and the will to make it happen is here too- from all partners and the local business community. We are delighted to be working with Cushman and Wakefield and look forward to making progress.”
Read more: Council commissions architects to draw up plans for former orphanage
The firm brands itself as a ‘global real estate service’.
Director of development consulting Caroline Baker said: “We are really excited to be using the expertise we have gained over the last 10 years advising public sector partners in Manchester City (including Manchester Life, Manchester Place and Manchester City Council) to support Preston to transform its residential offer.
“Preston has a number of key attributes to support city living and we look forward to articulating this to private sector investors and developers.”
Former Tulketh High School (45 homes)
Argyll Road (150 homes)
Former St Joseph’s Orphanage (81 homes)
Winckley Square (232 homes)
Avenham Lane Car Park (200 homes)
Alliance Mill (68 homes)
A little history of the earmarked sites:
The former Tulketh High School in Tag Lane derives its name from the area of Tulketh of the 12th century site of the seat of Marmaduke Tulket(h). On this site was built Tulketh Hall which was demolished 1959.
The planned Argyll Road development would be built on the site of the Preston Corporation Refuse Destructor in Argyll Road which was built in 1886. Originally, all the waste was collected in horse drawn trucks which was taken to the Argyll Road depot where it was all hand sorted to recycle that which could be and destroy the remainder in the furnace.
The image immediately below shows one of the original stables used for the horses; these stables remain extant up to the present day, although, only used as storage.
Most Prestonians know of this marvellous old place between Fishergate, Theatre Street and Mount Street. Even in 1989, when the image above was captured, it was in reasonable condition. Since its abandonment it has suffered much decay and is now very dilapidated indeed.
More of the history of St. Joseph’s Orphanage here.
We do not have information leading to the locations of the two major developments planned for the Winckley Square area; however, it would be wonderful if something of the design of William Ainsworth’s beautiful home were to be built, don’t you think?
The Avenham Lane car park designated for a housing development is the former site of the Avenham Street Mill. This former mill can be seen in the centre of the above image from 1985. Most of the property in this image has been demolished since that time and has been left as spare land and used as a car park. Originally a cotton mill owned by the company Horrocks & Jackson; however, many will recall it being the premises of Collinson’s Card Works.
The Alliance Works cotton mill has been recently demolished and very shortly the site will be prepared for the planned development. The image above shows how it appeard in its heyday, with all the weaving sheds behind the main building. To get perspective, you can see the Horrockses Centenary Mill over to the top right corner of the image where it is facing New Hall Lane. Many born and bred Prestonians will have had family who will have probably worked there in the past.
What do you think of the consultants being brought in? Are these sites right for new homes? Let us know in the comments below