New social housing plans are set to be snubbed amid concerns the development would be “cramped” and too close to a railway.
Applicants Mulbury Homes and Contour Homes want to create 48 houses and 16 apartments on vacant land off Lockside Road near Preston Docks.
The scheme would provide social rented accommodation for tenants, managed by Symphony Housing Group.
However, planners have warned councillors that the scheme fails to take account of noise generated from freight trains operated by Bitumen UK, which run close to the 0.9 hectare site earmarked for the development.
The Ribble Steam Railway, which also uses the tracks, has objected to the plans, which would see an increase in traffic crossing the railway line.
Planning agents for the proposals, which include two and three-bed houses and two-bed flats, have argued it will help spruce up under-used land and prevent mini-motos from causing nuisance on a nearby car park.
However, the planning committee will next week be asked to refuse permission for the scheme due to its “poor” design and layout, a lack of space between properties and inadequate noise assessments.
Concerns were also raised about the impact of safety on cyclists using the nearby Guild Wheel route, with the developers saying they could not stump up £105,920 requested by highways bosses to create a new cycle lane and link gaps in the path.
Planning chief Chris Hayward has advised: “The layout would be cramped in places with some very small or irregular shaped gardens.
“The overall design and layout of the proposal is poor.”
Preston Council’s planning committee will vote on the scheme at its next meeting on March 4.
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