Plans approved for new homes on Fox Street

Plans approved for new homes on Fox Street

Preston City Council has approved plans for a new residential development within the Winckley Square Conservation Area.

Designed by David Cox Architects, on behalf of Marana Developments, the scheme on Fox Street, Preston incorporates 19 apartments with a new retail unit on the ground floor. The plot is currently occupied by the now vacant Christian Resource Centre, which traded for more than four decades before its closure three years ago.

Scale and massing have been carefully considered and the six-story block will bridge the height difference on the street between the former St Wilfrid’s school building and the Premier Inn.

Collaboration was key on this development as the project has been a wonderful example of the pre-application planning process at its best. The final design evolved through constructive discussion and compromise between the planning department and the client, ensuring a sensitive and considered addition to this historically sensitive area. In addition, there were no significant delays throughout the formal planning application, a testament to the power of clear communication and shared goals.

Steven Gallagher, managing director at David Cox Architects, commented “I’m delighted that this milestone has been reached, and our proposal will redevelop an underutilised brownfield site in Preston. I believe the end result strikes the perfect balance between modern functionality and respect for the surrounding heritage – a building that enhances the streetscape while meeting today’s needs.”