Plans for Lancashire's tallest tower block approved

5 hours ago

Paul FaulknerLocal Democracy Reporting Service

News image — The £40m project will feature 218 apartments

David Cox Architects Artist's impression of the proposed building. A tall, slim brown building with many glass windows. The top three floors are slightly smaller with green framed windows. Existing buildings round the site are white so the new tower stands out in its surroundings — The £40m project will feature 218 apartments

The tallest tower block in Lancashire is set to be built in Preston.

A blueprint for the 285ft (87m) Altura skyscraper was unanimously backed by Preston City Council's planning committee.

The 30-storey development will stand on what is currently a small car park at the junction of Derby Street and Lords Walk, close to the city's bus station.

The £40m project will feature 218 apartments, a gym, office space, games room and a residents-only cinema, and will be the second tallest structure in the county after Blackpool Tower.

Google Street view image of the proposed plot. A car park by a junction with red brick building in the background and a round shelter to the front — The tower will stand on the corner of Derby Street and Lords Walk, near Preston bus station

There are 163 flats in the block with one bedroom and 55 with two, with construction expected to take two-and-a-half years to build.

The car park on which it will be built previously served as Unicentre offices, which have recently been converted from offices to flats, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Planners were told the tower block would not "dominate" Preston's cityscape.

St. Walburge's Church, which has a spire that rises to 94 metres, would still have the edge as the tallest city landmark.

City council planning officer Patrick Marfleet said: "Whilst it is tall, we don't think that it's excessively tall or harmful in terms of its impact on Preston.

"It's a landmark building that contributes to the skyline, it's certainly not a dominant feature, in spite of its height."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.