The regeneration of a former orphanage site, which includes a number of Grade-II listed buildings erected as early as 1872, has been recommended for approval.

CZero Developments are looking to transform the former St Joseph’s Orphanage site – although five buildings will be demolished as part of the plans. [emaillocker id=”71749″]

The firm – who’re speaking at our Lancashire Development Plans Webinar – are planning to retain and convert the chapel into new homes, breathing new life into the property which has remained derelict for more than a decade.

More than 60 new homes will be built including:

  • Chapel conversion into 7 town houses
  • 48 flats across three newly-built apartment blocks
  • Additional ten town houses on the site where demolition will have taken place

Feasibility reports carried out highlight that, although there were plans to initially redevelop more of the buildings, due to the buildings deterioration over the years it’s not viable to redevelop them all.

Due to the ongoing situation surrounding Covid-19 the decision on the planning application will now fall to Preston City Council’s Chief Executive Adrian Phillips – as the council move to using emergency powers to ensure planning applications are dealt with. Planning officers advice was to recommend the scheme on the basis that a Section 106 is obtained to get community funding from the developers.

A spokesperson for CZero Developments said: “By taking some of the most damaged and structurally unsafe elements of the existing complex away, new life can be breathed into the remaining and most salvageable buildings.”

Buttress Architects have worked on the project. [/emaillocker]