South Ribble lodges plans for McKenzie Arms site

The council is pushing ahead with plans to deliver 15 affordable homes on the site of the former pub, located at the corner of Station Road and McKenzie Street in Bamber Bridge.  

The development is made up of three, three-bedroom townhouses, nine one-bedroom apartments and three two-bedroom apartments, all available on affordable tenures. 

The homes will be the first owned by the council since a stock transfer to Progress Housing over 25 years ago. 

South Ribble Council bought the half-acre site in 2012 and the demolition of the pub took place the following year. 

The council’s cabinet gave the initial go-ahead for the residential project last November. Since then, it has been working with SW Architecture to develop the scheme. 

Cllr Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for finance, property and assets at South Ribble Council, said: “The teams in question have been working incredibility hard in the difficult circumstances created by the coronavirus pandemic. 

“The development of the McKenzie Arms site has been a long time coming and I’m pleased a planning application has now been submitted.  

“We know that the borough needs more higher standard, low-carbon, affordable homes and we are ready to deliver. The new McKenzie Arms site development will meet the demand of stock vitally needed in the borough.”  

If the plans are approved, work could start in 2021 following the appointment of a contractor.