Source: City of Preston
Cabinet Members at Preston City Council have agreed to make £70,000 available to assist the delivery of an affordable housing scheme by Plungington Community Land Trust (CLT) in association with Safe Regeneration.
The funding will be allocated from unallocated S106 developer contributions which will help the Plungington CLT, a not-for-profit trust, progress with essential surveys, planning fees and design work for the proposed regeneration of Emmanuel Church, Brook Street, turning the former church into affordable homes for local residents.
The Trust’s proposal is to create a new lease of life for the historic building. Planning permission was originally granted in October 2021 for 14 affordable residential apartments and a community/worship space, but planning has since lapsed. A revised scheme is now being explored which would provide a higher number of apartments as affordable homes.
Safe Regeneration, a charitable organisation who supports the delivery and development of community-based regeneration and housing schemes, is helping the CLT to develop the business case and work up the scheme ready to resubmit the planning.
Dale Tomlinson from Plungington CLT/Safe Regeneration said:
“We have had some very positive discussions with a number of funders who have expressed an interest in potentially funding the construction part of the project which is fantastic news.
The funding from the council is greatfully received and comes at a critical time for us, as it will help us to progress with some important elements needed for a resubmission of the plans, to keep up the momentum, and also to help bridge any funding gaps we may encounter if bids are unsuccessful or there are delays in reviving other funding streams.”
Since 2014, the city council has been collecting contributions in lieu of part of the on-site affordable housing requirement set out in the local planning policy. To date, over £2.9m of Affordable Housing Financial Contributions have been paid to the council by developers through S106 agreements.
£1.6m has been committed towards a long term empty homes project (Making Homes from Houses) which is being delivered in partnership with Community Gateway Association. The S106 affordable housing money does not have to be solely used for the council’s empty homes project and can be used, with the council’s agreement, to fund the delivery and provision of other affordable housing schemes in the city.
Councillor Amber Afzal, Cabinet Member for Planning and Regulation said:
“The financial S106 contributions that developers make are made exactly for projects like the regeneration of Emmanuel Church, that help to revitalise our communities that are in desperate need of quality affordable housing for its residents.”
Councillor Valerie Wise, Cabinet Member for Community Wealth Building said:
“The Emmanuel Church project also aligns with the council’s Community Wealth Building Strategy which is committed to leading resilience and recovery in Preston, encouraging community-led regeneration schemes such as this and championing the provision of affordable homes in the city.”
Image credit: Tony Worrall