The planned retail and leisure development at the former Cottam Brickworks site has been given the go ahead despite no developer contributions to affordable housing or education places.

The application from BXB Cottam Properties was originally approved in March last year.

It was agreed that the proposal would only be viable with developer contributions of up to £411,718, and five on-site affordable dwellings.

However, it wasn’t known at that point how much works to the nearby Household Waste Recycling Centre – required for access to the application site and road safety – would cost.

In February, it was confirmed that the estimated minimum cost would be £510,000.

In light of this, BXB Cottam Properties said it would not be able to provide on-site affordable housing, or financial contributions towards off-site provision or education places.

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A report submitted to Preston City Council Planning Committee by the Director of Development and Housing accepted this and recommended the plans be approved.

The report states: “The lack of five affordable dwellings at this site is considered to be acceptable on the grounds that Policy 7 does allow for reduced affordable housing provision subject to financial viability.

“In addition, adjoining development on the former Cottam Brickworks site has provided an overprovision of affordable housing, which would mitigate any potential under provision.

“In terms of the education places contribution, County Education object to the application on the grounds that the contributions required to mitigate the development’s impact in school place provision will not be secured.”

The report goes on to say: “Whilst it is regrettable that this application cannot provide all the policy required levels of infrastructure due to financial viability, the proposal would provide social and economic benefits through the significant investment in construction and a significant number of new jobs as part of the retail and commercial development.”

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