County's tallest building proposed in £40m plan

More than 200 apartments are proposed in the scheme

Plans have been unveiled to build a 30-storey tower block in Preston city centre that would become the tallest building in Lancashire.

The £40m Altura development, proposed for a plot on the corner of Derby Street and Lords Walk near the city's bus station, would be the second tallest structure in the county after Blackpool Tower

It will feature 218 apartments, seven office spaces and communal areas for up to 270 residents.

A gym, Pilates studio, games room and residents-only cinema would also be included.

Each of the apartments - 163 with one bedroom and 55 with two - would come with balconies and benefit from a 24-hour concierge service.

It is thought that the building, designed by Preston-based David Cox Architects, would take two-and-a-half years to build on land currently operating as a surface-level car park.

The building would surpass the 94-metre high Church of St. Walburg in Preston

However, developers TSS Property, argued in a planning application lodged with Preston City Council that it would not be financially viable for it to provide the quota of affordable housing that is usually demanded by the local authority.

In doing so, it becomes the latest in a series of city centre housing schemes in Preston to contend that it is not possible to offer 30% of the proposed dwellings at a discounted rate for sale or rent, as stipulated in local planning policy.

The tower is proposed for a plot on the corner of Derby Street and Lords Walk, near Preston bus station

City planners have also been advised that the developer would be unable to meet "any other planning contributions that may be requested" which often include cash towards the cost of providing additional school places.

"This is due to the financial viability constraints of the development," a planning statement submitted to the local authority reads.

The calculation on which that conclusion is based will be analysed by the council as it considers whether or not to approve the tower.

Meanwhile, the proposed office space – a mixture of co-working areas and larger business suites – has been described as being of the Grade A type that Preston is regarded as lacking.

The car park on which Altura is proposed to be built previously served the Unicentre offices, which are themselves now in the process of being converted into apartments, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.