Plans to build Preston’s tallest building withdrawn

A proposal to build a 30-storey hotel and apartment tower in Preston city centre has been withdrawn.

The application had been due to be refused at Preston City Council Planning Committee on Thursday 3 February, but records show the outcome was registered on Monday 31 January.

Updated plans for the LoftHaus project at the site of Foresters Hall in Great Shaw Street would have seen 174 apartments built on top of a 166-room hotel, with a pool, rooftop restaurant/bar and roof garden.

Design image of Lofthaus — How 2019 designs showed the Lofthaus building would have looked

A report to the Planning Committee sets out multiple reasons why the application from developer Providence Gate would have been refused, despite the principle of the development being acceptable and there being many potential benefits.

It says the application failed to provide a clear vision as to why the site needs the building at the height proposed, and how it would connect with key places in the city.

Various other points failed to be demonstrated, including how the building would provide satisfactory living standards for future occupiers, and fit in alongside nearby heritage assets.

Questions remained over the impact to neighbours including noise disturbance from the rooftop restaurant/bar and overshadowing.

There were also concerns about how wind conditions and the local microclimate would be affected, and whether the outside areas on the rooftop and floor 28 would be safe and pleasurable to use.

The plans would have superseded those for a 21-storey building on the same site, which were approved in July 2019 subject to a number of planning conditions and a Section 106 agreement, which remains unsigned.

<br />