PRESTON is looking to benefit from another major regeneration scheme following the start of a new care home being built for Lancashire County Council (LCC).

Building firm, John Turner & Sons, has already started work on the new £4 million residential care home for the elderly which is part of Cottam Hall Properties’ £80 million redevelopment of the former brickworks in Cottam.

County Councillor Chris Cheetham, Cabinet member for Adult and Community Services, said:

"I'm very pleased to see our new care home, which is itself an important development, acting as a catalyst for further regeneration in this part of Preston.

"Improvements to the area will make this a better place to live for residents of the care home and I'm sure they will appreciate any new local amenities which this development provides."

Ian Rankin, chairman of John Turner & Sons added:

"We are delighted with the progress of the home, which is due to complete in November this year. It is a fundamental project to the LCC Care Services program and we are very pleased to have been able to provide the site.

"Between the two councils, officers and councillors, and ourselves this project has been made possible by a lot of co-operation and trust.

"Originally no part of the site could have been developed before planning consent was given for the whole scheme; however Preston City Council recognised the urgency of the Care Home project and made an exception.

"The Care Home also represents the affordable housing aspect of the whole Brickworks development, which meant that the site cost was reduced to make the care home financially viable.

"If all goes well with the planning application for the Brickworks scheme we can be on site in 2007 developing a truly sustainable regeneration scheme that caters for transport, residential and retail needs whilst providing quality leisure and enhancing the ecology on site and around Preston."

Local Councillors Christine Abram and Bill Shannon welcome this development saying:

"We've waited a long time for the Brickworks to be developed and this scheme looks to be just what the area needs, we have always been supportive of the much needed residential care home for the elderly. We are also looking forward to the public presentation and consultation which will take place within the area."

The Cottam Hall Brickworks scheme is anticipated to generate over 1,000 jobs and is one of a new generation of schemes in the UK that answers transport, leisure, business, residential and social issues in one major redevelopment.

Prior to plans being drawn up, John Turner & Sons conducted a survey within the local community who voted 91 per cent in favour of the redevelopment of the former brickworks.

The company will also be hosting a presentation at the Cottam Community Centre to outline its plans. An announcement will be made in due course once dates have been confirmed.