Plans for former Sumners pub site up for debate

The heavy machinery at work at the Sumners site Pic: Chris66092274 — The heavy machinery at work at the Sumners site back in 2018 Pic: Chris66092274

Plans for new apartments at the former Sumners pub site on land off Watling Street Road and Sir Tom Finney Way are up for debate.

A meeting will be held before the Planning Committee today (Thursday 1 December), to discuss the proposal which would bring 90 apartments to the area.

It has been suggested the applicant be compliant with the adopted core strategy, due to the site being in an urban area.

In this case it would be; 27 on-site affordable dwellings; secondary school education contribution towards one place of £23,061.75; and employment skills monitoring contribution of £8,500.

Although the applicant has indicated that the scheme cannot provide any affordable housing or financial contributions due to the viability of the scheme.

A Viability Assessment report prepared by Parkinson Real Estate concluded that the scheme cannot support any contributions to meet the planning obligations.

As building the apartments would cost ‘significantly more’ than the revenue from sales which would potentially be between 15 per cent and 20 per cent.

The Sumners was demolished last week Pic: Dave Tattersall — The Sumners during demolition Pic: Dave Tattersall

An independent report from Preston City Council also came to the conclusion that there would be a loss before any affordable housing or Section 106 costs are factored in.

In the consultation responses for the proposal, no objections were raised from the Environment Agency, Environment Health, Housing Standards and United Utilities.

On the other hand County Education have requested the financial contribution towards one secondary school place.

Waste management have raised concerns over the proposed access arrangements and the location of the western bin stores as they are ‘unsuitable’.

A total of eight objections were received from the public, the details of which can be summarised as follows:

cumulative impact on highways capacity and creation of additional noise and pollution;
Impact on highways safety;
Danger from construction activity;
Scale of development is not in keeping with the area;
The proposed access is owned by Deepdale Service Station and is required for access to the parking area to the rear of the garage, and also to load and unloadtransporters;
Insufficient level of parking proposed;
Development will negatively impact on neighbouring business;
Impact on neighbouring amenity due to scale of building and proposed balconies;
Impact on wildlife corridor adjacent to site; and
Scale of development proposed would negatively impact the conservation area and isat odd with other developments which have been refused.

To view the full report on the planning application visit the Preston City Council website.