Preston North End training ground secures consent

The revised planning application for a first-team training centre for Preston North End FC, along with a new public park and 450 homes, has been approved.

PWA Planning, working with architecture practice FWP, helped secure consent for the development on behalf of the club at the 172-acre Ingol Golf & Squash Club site.

The new training centre aims to support PNE’s ambition to reach the Premier League. Meanwhile, more than 100 acres of the site, 60% of the total area, will be turned into a park and public open space. There will be 135 affordable homes in the development.

An original application proved controversial and was rejected at Preston City Council’s planning committee in June, but a revised application, which reduced the area of the site to be used for housing, was approved at committee yesterday.

The plans had proved so contentious locally that the planning committee had to be ticketed to limit the amount of attendees.

Paul Walton, director at PWA Planning, said: “There are overwhelmingly positive benefits from this scheme, not least opening up a significant proportion of the site for public use which leaves a legacy for many future generations to enjoy.

“The new park will be three times the area of Preston’s popular Avenham and Miller parks and, crucially, is being created at no cost to the council or public purse. Much-needed new affordable homes are also being provided as part of the scheme.

“We are pleased to have been able to secure consent for this exciting scheme which will give Preston North End the facilities and infrastructure to fitting of a Premier League club.”

The intention is for the first team to be training at the facility in time for the 2018/19 season and so be occupied in August 2018. Construction is expected to commence on site almost immediately.