With a gross development value (GDV) of c.£100 million, this exciting development is the opportunity to create a thriving, residential-led mixed-use development that meets the needs of residents, businesses and the wider community by creating a bold and welcoming gateway that reflects the city’s ambition and character.

The proposed development covers two sites. St John’s Shopping Centre with 23 retail units which are in decline and Tithebarn Gateway, a largely vacant single-storey building with ground-floor commercial units and a rooftop car park.

Together, the two sites occupy a prominent city centre location in the heart of the cultural quarter, directly adjacent to the Grade II listed Preston Bus Station and a short walk from Preston’s train station  and markets.

The proposed development key benefits are:

• Over 500 high-quality new apartments designed for modern city living.
• Approximately 15,000 sq. ft. of ground floor commercial spaces for retail, food & beverage (F&B), or leisure uses.
• A 26,000 sq.ft city centre NHS neighbourhood health centre, supporting NHS priorities and Government ambitions of making more care available on people’s doorsteps as set out in the Government’s 10-year health plan.
• Repurposing retail floorspace that is no longer fit for purpose to enable a more consolidated retail offer at the Site which better aligns with Preston’s retail demand.
• Contemporary design and innovative infrastructure to meet modern expectations for sustainability and usability.
• Significant public realm improvements including a vibrant new public square and better pedestrian connectivity between the Harris Quarter, the covered market and the central bus station.
• Greener, healthier spaces with increased urban planting and biodiversity; and a safe, wellconnected, and attractive environment for residents, visitors and workers.

Additional to this there will be significant economic investments into the wider borough:

• The scheme is expected to generate around £13.5 million in new tax revenues, including over £1 million in additional Council tax.
• It could also support the direct and indirect creation of around 1,700 jobs, helping to power local economic growth and opportunity
• Significant NHS investment will bring indirect and indirect health and social benefits to the wider 
  community and bring a strong health related destination in the city centre.

The scheme aims to deliver a high-quality, welcoming environment that reflects civic pride and provides a vital link between key regeneration sites including the Harris Quarter, the covered markets, and the Animate leisure scheme. It also supports ongoing public sector investment in the city centre, including the adjacent Youth Zone that is currently under construction, the Tithebarn bus station as well as wider economic growth in the borough, including employment hubs such as BAE Systems and the National Cyber Force (NCF) Campus.

Ilan Goldman, Director - Retail at Praxis said, ‘We are excited to have now submitted a formal planning application to deliver a development that reflects the city’s ambition and unlocks the full potential of this key site. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine one of Preston’s most prominent 
gateways as a bold and contemporary new city neighbourhood’. 

Paul Shuker, Director, Planning, Regeneration and Infrastructure at Lambert Smith Hampton said ‘At the heart of this application is the vision to revitalise and transform this important part of the city centre into a vibrant and relevant neighbourhood that will reconnect the Harris Quarter to the listed bus station in the western part of the city centre. The delivery of a new NHS neighbourhood health centre will be at the forefront of the Government’s recently announced 10-Year Health Plan to bring health facilities to the heart of Preston’s community’.