Mustaq Bhailok gives update on Garden Street block of flats plan

How the new apartment block down Garden Street could look

The developer behind a proposal for a new block of flats off Winckley Square has said he did initially want to keep the building.

Mustaq Bhailok, of Northern Estates Limited, tabled the latest plans for Garden Street during May.

Mr Bhailok wants to knock down the former Cardinal Newman sports hall and in its place put in a building with 65 flats.

Garden Street sits within the Winckley Square Conservation Area.

In a statement released to Blog Preston, Mr Bhailok has moved to clarify his intentions.

He said: “Following recent press reports that have questioned the design suitability or otherwise of one of our developments in Central Preston; namely the former Sports Hall, Garden St, Preston we felt it necessary to respond.

“We were hoping to keep the existing building and remodel the building with an extension to the upper floors.

“However after much deliberation and design reviews, and liasing at close quarters with the planners at Preston City Council it was their suggestion that a new build facility would better serve the vicinity and alleviate any neighbours concerns. At a great cost to ourselves, we withdrew the previous application and submitted a series of design alternatives from which the current scheme was born.

“We have worked with the Planning Dept at close quarters rather than against them in trying to develop a scheme that would breath a new lease back into the locale and we feel would contribute far more positively than the current defunct empty building.

“The development process will no doubt secure employment for the local community not to mention attract professionals and other buyers to the City of Preston.

“Our architects, have a close working relationship with the Planning Dept and will continue to work with them to deliver an iconic building.

“We are looking to work positively in addressing a housing shortage for first-time buyers by providing a good quality accommodation at an affordable rate.”

You can see the full proposals on the city council website.