Residents asked for views on the future of Avenham Tower Blocks

Onward is inviting residents to share their views on proposals to redevelop the Avenham Tower Blocks, located on the Queen Street Estate in Preston.

Onward manages around 700 homes in the Queen Street area of Preston, including three tower blocks: Richmond, Lincoln, and Carlisle Houses. The tower blocks require investment to ensure that these meet the future needs of residents and provide modern, comfortable homes for years to come. Onward has explored various options for the long-term future of the tower blocks and how these can be modernised.

Two potential options have been explored in detail, which include refurbishment of the tower blocks, or demolition and replacement with new, improved homes. A preferred position has been reached to demolish the tower blocks and replace with new homes. However, no final decision has been made until a consultation with tower block residents.

Demolition and replacement with new homes will allow for better quality, sustainable, and warm homes to be delivered that are better suited to the needs of residents. Due to the design and ongoing challenges with the tower blocks, refurbishment would be unlikely to deliver the scale of improvements required and is not considered to be a sustainable long-term option. 

Residents have been invited to share their views during a period of public consultation which will run from 17th February until 18th March. During this time, residents can submit their feedback in the following ways:

• Visiting the consultation website at www.onwardpreston.co.uk to find out more and complete a feedback form 

• Emailing comments or questions to preston@onward.co.uk

• Calling Onward’s Customer Contact Centre on 0300 555 0600

• Attending one of the public drop-in events at The Foxton Centre (PR1 3SA), where the team will be on hand to answer questions and feedback forms will be available

Tuesday 22nd February, 1pm – 6pm 

Thursday 24th February, 3pm – 8pm 

Saturday 26th February, 11am – 4pm 

Sandy Livingstone, Executive Director for Property at Onward, said:

“We are committed to sustained investment in the Queen Street Estate and Avenham neighbourhoods to deliver major improvements to the area in the years ahead. An important part of this programme is the future of the three tower blocks on the Estate.

The tower blocks face ongoing challenges and require improvements to ensure that the buildings meet the needs of residents in the future. Having been built in the 1960s, there is now an opportunity to modernise these properties and provide new, improved homes within walking distance of Preston. 

We have looked at different options for the tower blocks and have considered these carefully across a range of factors, including building design and future customer experience, and a preferred position has now been reached.

However, we want to hear from residents and no final decision will be made until we have considered all feedback received during this consultation. We understand that residents will have questions about the proposals so would encourage them to get in touch and share their views.”

The deadline for comments is 5pm on Friday 18th March.