Onward Homes hopes to create 380 homes a short walk from Preston City Centre at the former Horrocks Mill Site

A PLANNING application to create 380 homes a short walk from the city centre has been submitted to Preston City Council.

Onward Homes has applied to redevelop the former Horrocks Mill site in Preston City Centre.

The proposals for Horrocks Mill, a key strategic brownfield site located between Queen Street and Church Street, involves the creation of 380 new and affordable homes.

The submission follows a  public consultation earlier in the summer.

Onward Homes said its development aims to support the aspirations set out in the Stoneygate Masterplan and will create a thriving new community that provides much-needed affordable homes for local people.

As well as 380 modern affordable homes, the scheme incorporates areas of green space for existing and future residents to enjoy, which could include trim trails and play areas, as well as new cycling and walking routes into the city centre from Queen Street and Church Street.

Sandy Livingstone, Executive Director for Property at Onward, said: “Our plans for Horrocks Mill present an enormous opportunity to transform a derelict brownfield site into a place that local people can call home. Horrocks Mill is an ideal location to provide new homes, benefiting from excellent connections to the city centre.

 “The redevelopment of the site supports our wider vision to deliver a transformative regeneration programme in one of our great northern cities. Local knowledge is invaluable to us and we would like to thank everyone that took the time to share their views with us during the consultation. We will continue to engage with our local partners now that the plans have been submitted.”

Residents, community groups, businesses and elected representatives were invited to share their feedback in a public consultation which concluded on June 26. 

Onward has a longstanding commitment to Preston having confirmed last year its decision to demolish the tower blocks at the nearby Queen Street and Avenham neighbourhood and replace these with modern homes that better reflect local housing needs.

Onward’s teams are currently working to support residents living in the tower blocks through the rehousing process.

Ben Scandrett, Group Surveyor for Brookhouse Group, said: “Brookhouse Group are delighted to be working with Onward Homes to help deliver one of the most significant residential-led regeneration schemes in Preston City Centre.

“The scheme fully aligns with our principles of delivering high quality development and will breathe new life and purpose into an underutilised site whilst complementing our neighbouring shopping park. We very much hope to build on this partnership with new Local Authorities and Registered Providers throughout the North West region.”