Plans in for £60m UCLan centrepiece

The University of Central Lancashire’s £200m regeneration has taken another step forward, with the submission of a planning application for its Student Centre and Civic Square project.

Designed by HawkinsBrown following an international RIBA competition, the proposed Student Centre and Civic Square will be the focal point of UCLan’s masterplan.

The Student Centre will be 75,000 sq ft, providing a reception area, informal learning spaces and a student wellbeing support centre.

Intended as a gateway to the city, the new Civic Square will span 55,000 sq ft providing flexible and adaptable spaces for a wide range of community, public, business and student uses.

The project’s planning application also details plans to make improvements to the public realm in Adelphi Quarter.

David Taylor, chairman of the board at UCLan, said: “Our ambition has been to deliver a centre of learning where people of all interests and backgrounds can feel at ease, comfortable in their physical surroundings and supported in their academic, social and business aspirations.

“We also wanted a landmark building and a new civic square that will transform the existing campus and the xity of Preston, and provide a new heart for UCLan. The new centre will be a welcoming, functional, focal point for all front line student, visitor and staff enquiries. It will also be an important public asset that embraces the city scale and positively contributes to the ongoing regeneration of Preston.”

Decision on the planning application is expected at a Preston City Council meeting during late 2017 or early 2018.

UCLan has completed an extensive consultation exercise with local residents, businesses, and University staff and students to gather views on the proposed Student Centre and public realm improvements.