Preston reaches accord over affordable element of 443-home scheme
Summary
Preston City Council’s planning team has accepted an alternative approach to meeting affordable housing requirements for a 443-home scheme in Cottam. The proposal treats the scheme alongside a neighbouring 100% affordable development, allowing the combined projects to meet the council’s 30% affordable housing target and removing a viability review mechanism that developers said could hinder funding.
Why it matters
This is relevant to surveyors because it shows how affordable housing obligations, viability, and scheme structuring can affect planning outcomes and development finance. It also highlights the importance of understanding how adjacent sites may be assessed collectively in planning negotiations.
Key points
- Council accepted a combined-site approach to affordable housing provision
- Viability review mechanism was seen as problematic for securing development finance
- 443-home scheme will deliver 62 affordable homes
- Neighbouring Breck scheme adds 102 affordable homes, bringing the combined total to 164 of 545 homes
- Planning committee consideration is scheduled for Thursday
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