HMO plan to reinvigorate ‘lifeless’ Preston street
Castle Home Estates wants to convert Empire House on Church Street in the city centre into homes for 30 people.
A planning application for the HMO has been submitted to Preston City Council.
Documents lodged with the application state that the building would “provide affordable housing for students and commuting professionals” and go some way to “revitalising the deteriorating, lifeless feel of Church Street”.
As well as homes, some of the existing office space would be retained should demand return. The scheme will also house a “a high-end café and restaurant”, providing a place for both residents and visitors.
The building has been vacant since the Covid-19 lockdown and is one of many office blocks in Preston being primed for conversion into homes.
Others include London House of Primrose Hill and the 15-storey Guild Tower. Meanwhile, TSS Property is mulling over the redevelopment potential of Norwest Court and Guildhall House, which it acquired from Wain Estates recently.
No until anchor ‘ for restaurant’ found a tariff paid to the Preston heritage fund and an independent architect to oversee plans.
By Anonymous
Rubbish submission does nothing for homeless only profits
By Anonymous
Likely another slumlord development, there will be nothing ‘high end’ about this. A conversion to residential should be apartments not another HMO. Thirty residents is a big HMO with likely transient residents and the negative impacts that these type of developments have.
By Dom
A 30 unit HMO office to resi conversion. Aren’t the people of Preston, and the Council who will be picking up the pieces of this lucky!
By Anonymous
When will councils learn – HMO’s are not the answer nor the way forward.
By Anon