Final chance to have a say on Preston '˜garden suburb' plan

GREEN: Artists impression of how part of the Â£80m Cottam Brickworks site will look

Residents, businesses and developers are being invited to give their views on plans for around 5,300 new homes in the Fulwood, Cottam, Ingol, Bartle and Woodplumpton areas of the city.

The final round of consultation is underway to gauge public opinion about the North West Preston Masterplan, which aims to create modern, sustainable communities with a mix of affordable housing, good public transport links, cycling routes, new schools, new community facilities, parks and greenspaces.

“The development of the North West Preston area is set out in the local plan and supporting planning policies,” said Coun John Swindells, deputy leader of the city council.

“However, the masterplan has now been updated to provide more detailed design guidance for developers to show what is expected for development on the new link road corridor.

“It’s not just for new houses – it’s new schools, transport links, community facilities, parks and open spaces. All these are vital to sustainable and thriving communities that are fit for our children and grand-children to live and grow up in.

“The aim is to require developers to build to high design standards and to show what can be achieved, so that the area will become an attractive garden suburb of Preston where local people want to live.”

Interested parties have until August 12 to have their say. Jim Carter, chair of the City Deal, added: “This masterplan aims to ensure that future developments are carried out in a joined-up and responsible way.

“The North West Preston area is a fundamental part of the future success of City Deal. Work is currently taking place on the Broughton Bypass and plans have been submitted for the new Preston Western Distributor road, including a new motorway junction on the M55, which will directly benefit local people. We’re investing hundreds of millions of pounds. It’s vital that we develop clear plans that will help make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the people who live and work here.”