Cottam Brickworks due to see ‘new development’ plan for northern site

A long-running development proposal for Preston looks set to have plans tabled for its second stage.

Cottam Brickworks, along the canal, is due to be anchored by a major supermarket and include hundreds of homes.

Preston City Council has received an application to carry out remedial works on another part of the Brickworks site.

Nexus Planning have tabled the application for works on the land off Cottam Avenue.

A report states: “BXB Cottam Properties Ltd is now focusing on bringing forward a revised scheme for the northern part of the site.

“This is now likely to take the form of a ‘village centre’ with retail and other units as well as some housing.

“Discussion over the mix, design and access arrangements for this emerging scheme are ongoing.”

The report goes on to state they want to do ‘pre-development works’ to the land.

No more than 10 works will be on the site at any one time.

Councillor for the Ingol and Cottam ward, Liberal Democrat, Mark Jewell said: “It is good news that this application has been submitted for remedial works on the old cottam hall brickworks.

“This site is in Preston’s local plan for large scale retail and housing development. Cottam in particular needs some local retail outlets, and I believe local residents will welcome the creation of local jobs in the area. Nonetheless, we need to properly understand the impact on local infrastructure and services when revised or new planning applications are made for the build phase. Broadly, I welcome this development.”

Work on the southern part of the Brickworks has seen hundreds of new homes built.

But the northern part of the plan had stalled, since planning approval was given in June 2015 to create a ‘retail centre’.

Cottam Brickworks is allocated in the City Deal proposal for redeveloping the North West area of the city.

A new artists impression showing the Cottam Hall retail park — An artists impression showing the Cottam Hall retail park scheme submitted in 2015

The previous plans included a 15-acre plot with a new supermarket, food and drink outlets, health centre, offices and 206 new homes.