Preston City Council’s planning committee is expected to approve three residential schemes next week, totalling 160 homes across the city centre and Broughton. The proposals include new-build apartments, conversion of upper floors at the listed Miller Arcade, and reserved matters approval for a countryside housing site off Garstang Road, with affordable housing secured through a mix of on-site provision and Section 106 contributions.
Manchester City Council has refused plans to convert a vacant warehouse in Strangeways into an indoor padel and wellness facility. The decision was based on the site’s designation as strategic employment land and the council’s view that insufficient evidence was provided to show the premises were no longer suitable for continued employment use.
Bridgemere Group and Castle Green Homes have been granted permission to challenge a Department for Transport direction that has delayed a 330-home scheme in Warrington. The dispute centres on land that may be needed for the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail route between Liverpool and Manchester, with the developer arguing the DfT’s approach was unlawful and avoided statutory blight provisions.
Liverpool FC’s application to make the closure of Anfield Road behind the expanded Anfield Road stand permanent was refused by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee, despite an officer recommendation to approve. The committee instead backed concerns about traffic flow, residential amenity and environmental nuisance, and also asked for a highways report to be taken to cabinet.
The High Court has refused Stockport Council permission to challenge a Planning Inspectorate decision that allowed an appeal for 540 homes at Woodford Garden Village. The council has been ordered to pay costs, although a further oral hearing is still due later this year.
Rowland Homes is appealing Bolton Council’s refusal of outline permission for 80 homes on a six-acre site off Arthur Lane, arguing the land should be treated as Grey Belt rather than Green Belt. The appeal will be considered by the Planning Inspectorate, with the council’s position potentially weakened by an estimated 4.15-year housing land supply and recent appeal outcomes that have favoured Grey Belt arguments.
