"Could not be more pleased" - council agree to buy & transform Leyland listed building 'left to rot'
The historic building was gutted by fire in 2023.
A landmark Leyland building that has ‘been left to rot’, is to be bought and transformed by South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC).
Now SRBC have announced they will acquire and redevelop the former GP surgery, to provide high-quality accommodation for local families.
The council’s proposal is to renovate and redevelop the property to deliver seven to eight two-bedroom apartments. These homes will be specifically designed to meet the needs of local families, including flexible layouts that allow some units to interconnect to accommodate larger households.
The project will be supported by the government’s Local Authority Housing Fund (LAHF), designed to support local authorities in England to increase the supply of good-quality, affordable accommodation for local families.
Councillor Wes Roberts, Cabinet Member for Finance and Assets said: “I am delighted to announce that we will soon be the owners of Occleshaw House. Not only will this allow us to develop affordable homes for local families, but we are also able to bring back a key heritage asset in the town centre to its former glory.
“The property has been in disrepair for years, and we never shy away from a challenge. We cannot wait to get started on the work and to see local families have safe, quality, and affordable places to live whilst they re-build their future.
“We’re committed to providing quality homes for local people and there is a real need for properties like this in the borough. Already we have built homes in Bamber Bridge, developed Jubilee Gardens, our extra care scheme, and will soon manage the affordable homes on Quin Street as part of the Leyland Town Deal.
“We’re grateful for the LAHF funding which will support this work which is set to begin in this month and complete by the end of 2027.”
Council leader, Coun Matthew Tomlinson, said: “This Grade 2 listed building has been left to rot by a private developer for a number of years, but now we have exciting plans to turn it into council-owned apartments. And, even better, most of the cost will be covered by a grant from the Labour Government.
“The people of Leyland have been asking what could be done. With this building and your local Council is getting things done.I could not be more pleased!”
This project will form part of a wider £1million investment supported by the LAHF for the development of affordable homes for local people. The entire scheme will see a total of 13 homes for local families.
The history of Occleshaw House
Occleshaw House is a three-storey property built originally as a residence in the early 18th Century as the Dower House for the Farrington Family who resided in the nearby Worden Hall. It has also served as a dower house, chemists, post office, printing press and doctors surgery before becoming vacant by 2020.