BDP led the team that drew up the framework. Credit: via Preston City Council

Preston adopts Station Quarter vision  

A framework designed to drive investment and regeneration around the city’s train station has been endorsed by the city council. 

Preston City Council’s cabinet met last night [Wednesday] to discuss the Station Quarter Regeneration Framework, which sets out the authority’s intention of creating a mixed-use commercial quarter at the gateway site. 

Plans for grade A office space, an enhanced retail and leisure offer, and new housing, all feature within the plans. 

Drawn up by BDP for the city council and Lancashire County Council, the framework intends to facilitate improvements to the area around the station, which is currently underutilised. 

The framework describes Preston Station – the busiest train station in Lancashire – as a “major asset that can serve to attract new city centre development and investment.” 

However, at present the land around the grade two-listed station delivers a “poor first impression of the city,” the framework states. 

“The vision for the Station Quarter is to transform the area to create a fitting gateway to the city and the region.” 

The vision for Preston’s Station Quarter is split into four quadrants. 

  • Station East – Could be “the catalyst for the area’s regeneration through the redevelopment of the dated Fishergate Centre”, according to the framework. In addition, there is “significant scope to introduce new city centre uses and create a transformational area of the city”  
  • University Walk – “should be a much stronger part of the city”, the framework said. The aim for this part of the site aims to link the key assets of the station and UCLan together, enhancing connections and public realm 
  • County Hill – is currently “isolated in a sea of surface car parking”, according to the framework. Here, there is scope to introduce new uses and urban realm 
  • Station West – This area could be used to expand and enhance the station for the arrival of HS2. Over the longer term, there may also be opportunities to redevelop yard areas and the Royal Mail site for new uses, the framework states.   

The sites that could be in line for redevelopment include the Royal Mail Depot off Christian Road and the neighbouring Network Rail depot. 

Fishergate Shopping Centre, owned by Martin Property Group and earmarked for a comprehensive overhaul, also falls within the boundaries of the framework, alongside several surface car parks, and the former St Joseph’s Orphanage. 

The station itself is also in need of significant investment in order to contribute to, and capitalise on, the regeneration potential of the Station Quarter as a whole and the arrival of HS2, according to the framework.

Your Comments

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Think how much Preston would benefit from HS2 being extended, that would be real levelling up.

By Anonymous

Glad there’s some thought going into this area.
The Uclan Adelphi Square has transformed Preston and this could too.
Good to see several high risers getting off the ground.
Maybe some new offices around the station could support the nearby new GCHQ North.
Loads of potential in Preston right now.

By Katie

Looks like a university campus, too much glass and too square.

By phono

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