Dryden Mill high-rise flats in Preston city centre set for approval

The proposed development would on the former Dryden Mill Site Pic Planning documents — The proposed development would be on the former Dryden Mill Site Pic Planning documents

Plans to build high-rise flats on the former Dryden Mill Site in Preston city centre is set to be given the green light.

Developer Stoneygate Living proposes to transform the current open-air car park off Manchester Road, into two extended buildings up to 16 storeys in height that would hold retail units and 469 flats aimed at the over 55s.

The flats would be split into six blocks, of which the northern building would hold two blocks and the southern building four blocks.

The proposed area has been identified as a key site within the new Stoneygate Masterplan Pic: Planning documents

David Cox Architects would deliver a mix of 261 one-bed flats, 204 two-bed flats and four three-bed flats.

As the homes would be open market and located in the urban area, the applicant does not propose affordable housing.

Instead approval is subject to conditions of a Section 106 agreement, including a noise assessment and restrictions on the opening hours of the retail units.

This matter will be discussed before Preston City Council’s Planning Committee on Thursday 30 March.

Plans include three ground floor retail shops in the southern building, resulting in a total of 760 square metres space.

The blocks would be near Cardinal Newman College Pic: Planning documents

The development would bring two courtyard parking areas providing a total of 105 car parking spaces, and at ground floor there would be six separate bin stores and five cycle stores.

Residents would also have access to a landscaped communal courtyard area ‘improving pedestrian connectivity’ between Grimshaw Street and Manchester Road,

No objections have been raised from local authorities on the plans. A spokesperson for Parks Department said in the planning report:

“The development will improve the existing visual amenity with strong frontages, and these will contribute to the greening of the streetscape with the introduction of quality hard landscape materials.

“The central landscape courtyard will create an attractive space, improve connectivity and soften the building lines.

“Furthermore, the roof terraces will benefit residents and contribute positively to the environment. Planting within the landscaped areas needs to consider the high levels of shading that will arise from this proposal.”

Preston City Council did however receive one letter of objection from the public, the person requests a guarantee that the proposal will not block sunlight and said: “The height of building will cause blockage of sunlight for the majority of Walker Street and this will impact on residents and their ability to grow plants / food in their yard.”

The plans form part of the wider Stoneygate Materplan, to view the full planning report visit the Preston City Council website.