Preston parks get green light for improvements

Two Preston city parks have been given the green light for a multi-million pound revamp by the city’s Planning Committee this week.

The plans, submitted by Preston-based S&L Planning Consultants, have been approved and the work will be carried out by Eric Wright Civil Engineering, which is due to start in the summer.

Councillor Amber Afzal, Cabinet Member at Preston City Council for Planning Regulation and Chair of the Planning Committee said: “We are delighted that these plans have been passed and we can get started on the much needed improvements to our city’s treasured green spaces.

“Given the special listed status that Moor Park enjoys, due respect has been given to the conservation areas and preserving and enhancing the historic park. Any new additions will make a positive contribution to the local character and distinctiveness of our parks.

Councillor Freddie Bailey, Cabinet Member for Environment and Community Safety said: ““We are looking forward to the improvements that will enhance our greenspaces that will also help to increase outdoor activity and greater leisure time, improving the health and wellbeing of our communities by delivering new, higher quality and more accessible sports and play facilities, better footpaths and landscaping to enjoy, in a safer environment.”

Gavin Hulme, Operations Director at Eric Wright Civil Engineering commented: “It’s great news that the planning applications have been passed for Waverley and Moor Parks. We have been working with Preston City Council, relevant stakeholders and our design teams over the last 12 months to ensure the works will bring lasting improvements to these two important parks. We are looking forward to starting works on site later this year and bringing benefits to the local communities.”

Deborah Smith, Co-Founder of Smith & Love Planning Consultants said: “Preston is proud of its parks and we’re thrilled to have played a part in their improvement, providing important spaces for local residents and visitors to enjoy. The rejuvenated parks will also add to the ongoing regeneration of the city.”

Moor Park, which is the city’s oldest park and Grade II* listed, will undergo a £4m programme of improvements which include:

• Extension and de-silting of Serpentine Lake and a new bridge across the lake
• Improvements to the Loggia and surrounding area (the Loggia is an outdoor corridor with a fully covered roof and outer wall that is open to the elements)
• Playground improvements
• Additional tree and shrub planting
• Improvements to the changing pavilion
• Groundworks to create wildflower meadows
• Improvements to the south-east entrance and car park

Waverley Park, nearly £3.5m of improvements were approved at the previous February Planning Committee and include:

• New Play area
• Refurbishment of 3 football pitches
• 1 x pump track
• skate park improvements
• Remodelling of car park with 27 x new car park spaces, creating 34 spaces in total
• Widening footpaths and new landscaping
• Demolition and rebuild of the football pavilion which already has planning permission

Both proposals will be funded by UK Government and are part of a £20m Levelling Up bid made to the previous government’s administration.