Winckley Square revamp revealed
Designs for the £1m renovation of historic gardens in Preston city centre have been released ahead of grant application submissions to the Heritage Lottery Fund and the Big Lottery Fund later this month.
The proposals have been developed by a partnership between environmental charity Groundwork Lancashire West & Wigan, Winckley Square Community Interest Company, Preston City Council, Preston Business Improvement District and Lancashire County Council.
A Heritage Lottery Fund panel is due to make a decision in summer 2015, with works potentially starting in 2016 if planning is approved.
An outline of the scheme passed the HLF first round in 2014, with £22,500 awarded to fund the creation of the designs.
The proposals include improved drainage systems, introducing lighting, the creation of heritage reference points, wider footpaths, cleaning and repairing the Robert Peel statue, restocking the garden's historic tree population, and reinforcing the turf in the southern part of the park for use as an events space.
Led by Groundwork, the design process included a dedicated conservation management plan developed by a team of Preston historians from groups such as the Preston and South Ribble Civic Trust, Preston Historical Society, Lancashire Gardens Trust and Blog Preston.
