Preston’s £10m sports hub tipped for approval
The two-storey Ashton Park complex earmarked for Pedders Lane would house six grass pitches, a café, changing rooms on the ground floor, and classrooms on the first floor.
Preston City Council is behind the proposal, which has been recommended for approval when it is up before the authority’s planning committee next Wednesday, 24 April.
A 3G pitch with six floodlight columns, 120 car park spaces, and a foot/cycleway within the park are also planned for the 15,000 sq ft site, which is currently a council-owned space featuring a playing field, children’s play area, outdoor gym, and car park.
If approved, the development would ensure junction improvements to Pedders Lane by widening the internal access road, and providing additional lighting and landscaping, after the former pavilion building and ancillary structures have been torn down.
The Ashton Park Sports Hub is expected to cost £9.7m, having been a key plank in the city council’s successful £20m from the government’s Levelling Up Fund bid last year.
However, the government’s community sports body Sport England has lodged objections to the plans in their current form, according to a report before the committee.
It states Sport England is concerned the south eastern section of the proposed footpath/cycleway could restrict the sporting capacity and flexibility of the field to accommodate playing pitches.
Sport England says this can be overcome if the footpath is reconfigured and landscaping reduced to lessen the impact on the playing field. Amended plans have been submitted to address this issue and an update will be provided at late changes stage of the meeting.
If Sport England maintains its objection, the application will be referred to the Secretary of State for determination.
The project has been led by Cassidy + Ashton and Eric Wright Construction, with Ascerta, KRS Environmental, DEP Landscape Architecture, Environoise, and Salford Archaeology also on the team.
To view the application, search for reference number 06/2023/1379 on Preston City Council’s planning portal.
Literally within walking distance of Preston Sports arena and eroding into public park space. What future will our children have is all the parks are to be developed!?
By Anonymous
What an uninspiring box of a design….
By Anonymous
Does anybody care anymore? If there’s anything positive about this building, it will change the way people feel due to the mental health benefits of physical exercise. On the other hand, upon approaching the building, there will be a temporary negative emotional state as a response to the drab external appearance. It would be more stimulating just going to the park. Oh well, doesn’t matter. That’ll do. I worked with a guy that said that a lot many years ago. And he’s a director of his practice now.
By Vicar in a Tutu
Build on moor park the buildings would not be overlooked. They already have football and cricket matches on their better parking and better road structures on all sides to get there and easy access to and from the motorways no brainer don’t understand why this can’t be used but again Preston Sports Arena what’s all this place about probably underused can’t this be remodelled/extended. Always seem to be empty pitches. The structure is already there.
By Anonymous