Moor Park, Preston City Council
Planning Potential secured planning permission in April 2025 for a new retirement living development on the edge of Moor Park, a Grade II* Registered Park and Garden, reusing a brownfield site within the main urban area of Preston.
Challenge
The scheme required addressing heritage concerns regarding its setting within a conservation area and adjacent to a Registered Park and Garden. Planning Officers raised initial objections to the design, and the proposed reduced parking level required careful justification. A 'less than substantial harm' case needed to be made and outweighed by public benefits.
Approach
Planning Potential led pre-application discussions with the Council and undertook community consultation writing to 312 neighbouring residents and businesses. They worked with a Transport Consultant to address highways objections and justify reduced parking. The design was refined to adopt a more traditional appearance better reflecting the area's character. A robust case for public benefits was presented to outweigh the low level of heritage harm identified.
Outcome
Planning permission secured in April 2025 with no Section 106 Agreement required.
All technical objections on heritage, design and highways matters were successfully resolved.
The scheme delivers housing in a highly sustainable brownfield location within the main urban area of Preston.