Student development secures consent in Preston
The Pillars Holdings scheme, named Urban Hub, comprises 425 self-contained studio apartments over six storeys and has been designed by local practice David Cox Architects.
Situated on Moor Lane, which links the UCLan campus to the A6, at the junction with Ashmoor Street, the project includes a gym, prayer room, library, roof terraces and retail units.
The report for committee from Preston City Council’s planning officers noted that “the scale and design of the development would be striking and visually prominent but has been sensitively designed to integrate into the urban street scene and would positively contribute to the character and appearance of the area.”
Cox said that the design for the external spaces references a project undertaken by a group of post-graduate UCLan students, led by graphic design professor Ben Casey, on how local history should inform public realm design.
The architecture firm has worked on student accommodation projects including The Tramshed and Canterbury Hall in Preston, along with schemes in Loughborough and Stoke-on-Trent.
