An officer working group at Preston Council is in the initial stages of a proposal to deliver affordable housing to the city centre.
AdvertisementThe group has started plans for a council-owned site on the corner of Grimshaw St and Church St in the Stoneygate area of Preston city centre.
Under Preston City Council’s affordable homes project Making Homes from Houses – in partnership with Community Gateway, Homes England, and various housing associations – affordable homes in Preston have increased substantially in recent years.
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Councillor Matthew Brown, Leader of Preston City Council, said: “A proposal like this generates affordable places for residents to live, creating a resilient and inclusive economy for local people.
“I look forward to seeing the full proposal and how we can work in partnership with local stakeholders to ensure this succeeds for residents and the Stoneygate community.
“The working group will also explore how the council can deliver the first council-owned housing in Preston for decades – an exciting avenue for us to pursue.”
Brown said delivering the Community Wealth Building agenda through these schemes will reduce the wealth flowing out of the local economy and share it more widely for local people and businesses.
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Preston City Council said it is committed to exploring potential funding streams, considering the use of council-owned land and how it can be more directly involved in affordable homes.
Councillor David Borrow, the cabinet member for planning and regulation, said: “This proposed Grimshaw Street scheme aims to be an example of a planning-led solution to affordable housing needs in Preston.
“The council is committed to delivering homes where they are needed most, in sustainable locations, to meet the housing needs outlined in the development plan.
“It also fits in with our award-winning City Living Strategy, which focusses on development on brownfield sites in the inner urban area.
“I look forward to seeing and implementing a suitable proposal to create more affordable housing in the city centre.”
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The proposal will include the option of working in partnership with a registered provider to deliver a scheme on behalf of the council.
The scheme, located in the heart of the Stoneygate area of Preston city centre, will contribute to the Stoneygate masterplan.
The council said it aims to regenerate the area to create a distinctive, characterful, sustainable, vibrant and successful urban village of which the city can be proud.
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