Multi-millionaire Yousuf Bhailok has said he expects to be successful in his appeal to Local Government Secretary Hazel Blears over the rejection of his plan to turn the Harris Knowledge Park into 11 homes for his 17 family members.

But the imminent lifting of a moratorium restricting housing development, which was central to the case for throwing out the scheme, opens the way for work to begin.

In a behind-closed-doors briefing on Monday, Preston Council's planning committee is expected to be told that the owner would be free to press ahead with plans if the moratorium is lifted – even if his appeal is unsuccessful.

If it fails, the lack of a moratorium would mean Mr Bhailok could submit a new application which could not be blocked on the same grounds.

Mr Bhailok said: "I assume that any policy changes over the moratorium will affect the council's stance.

"I have always believed that we have a very strong case for appeal and with the moratorium lifted, I do not believe the council has a leg to stand on.

"I want to restore the building back to its original use as a family home; this is a restoration not a development, it had a family atmosphere when it was an orphanage and that is what I want to bring back."

However, the council could impose strict conditions on what kind of development Mr Bhailok would be allowed to carry out if a new application was submitted for the site on Garstang Road, Fulwood.

It is unlikely to have such control if the appeal, a date for which is yet to be set, is successful.

Council principal planning officer David Linley confirmed that the housing moratorium was "the main reason" for the rejection earlier this year.

He said that the new North West Regional Spatial Strategy published last month said Preston would have to build 507 homes a year rather than the previous target of 180 homes.

Mr Linley said: "From this we have put together a new draft policy which is due to be considered by the cabinet in November.

"If it is, the appeal could be considered in the light of the new policy."

Last year, the owner said he wanted to turn homes in the Grade II-listed park into "a village green-style" complex.

>> Council can buy Harris Park for £6.5m



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