Preston arcade conversion plan set for approval

Plans to convert the upper floors of Preston’s historic Miller Arcade into apartments are set to be given the green light by councillors later this week.

A blueprint to bring the disused levels of the 19th-century shopping precinct back into use was lodged in February – and Preston City Council planning officers are now recommending that members of the authority’s planning committee approve the transformation.

Under the proposal, 46 flats would be created within the Grade II-listed building – off Lancaster Road, close to the Flag Market – along with a communal space for residents that would include a gym, library, cinema, lounge area, kitchen, meeting room and workspace.

The existing retail and leisure premises on the ground floor of the arcade – which opened in 1899 and is the city’s oldest shopping centre  – would be unaffected and continue to operate as normal.

The first, second, third and fourth floors of the property – the latter two of which are within the roof space – were last in use as offices, but have been vacant for several years.

The much-loved landmark is renowned for its Victorian Baroque architecture and was modelled on the larger Burlington Arcade in London.

Darwen-based Icon Heritage Limited have put forward the conversion plan, which comes 11 years after a similar vision – tabled by a different company – was given the nod by city planners. That scheme, unlike the current one, also featured a new restaurant and a roof garden – but was ultimately never delivered.

The current proposal involves the development of 24 one-bed, 18 two-bed and four ‘studio’ apartments.

A report by planning officers to be presented to the committee notes that the external works connected to the conversion – including window and masonry repairs, the replacement of the existing flat roof with a new insulated covering, and repairs to the glazed vaulted roof over the arcade – would have a positive impact on the building itself and the Market Place Conservation Area in which it stands.

“These interventions would improve the condition and appearance of the building and would preserve and enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area,” the document states.

There have been no objections to the proposal from any of the organisations that have to be consulted before planning permission and listed building consent is granted, nor from the public.

The Victorian Society has, however, recommend a full building recording survey is conducted to ensure photographic records are obtained of any historic features set to be lost in the works.

Councillors will be told that the project is the latest in a series of city centre schemes where the applicant has successfully argued that it would be financially unviable to provide 30 percent of the dwellings at a discounted ‘affordable housing’ rate, as would otherwise be required by local planning policy.