Member Article

Preston future up for consultation

The future of Preston city centre is being thrown open to public consultation.

Views are being sought on how to strengthen the city’s current retail position ‘at the heart of Lancashire’, according to Preston Council.

While the city is a hub of commercial and administrative activity, the council’s plan looks to ‘expand the workforce to drive further economic growth, supporting shops, leisure and cultural activities’.

In a statement, the council says that consultation on the preferred options of the City Centre Plan will fall under three themes:

· Securing Economic Vitality: ‘Ensuring Preston City Centre is a key driver of economic growth, both in Preston and Lancashire’

· Creating a Sense of Place: ‘Enhancing the City Centre’s architectural heritage and key historic assets with a new, vibrant, built environment equipped to take Preston into the 21st Century’

· Enhancing Movement & Accessibility: ‘Revitalising and modernising public transport facilities and prioritising pedestrian movement through the heart of the City Centre’

Councillor John Swindells, cabinet member for planning and regulation said: “Planning positively for the future of the city centre is crucial. We must look at elements of the City Centre Plan from all angles to ensure the council’s aspirations, and those of local residents, are met in future developments.

“Securing the Preston and Lancashire City Deal was the first step in creating growth in the area and bringing new investment to the region. This latest consultation on the future of the city centre is extremely important and gives local people the chance to have their say on the development of where they work, live, study and spend their leisure time.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .