Community views sought on £50 million University gateway plans

3 August 2016

Members of the public can have their say on the proposed designs, either at the events or online, before final judging takes place later in August.

The people of Preston are being called on to help the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) and The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) select an architectural practice to design a new £50 million campus gateway in the heart of the city.

Feedback from the local community will help inform the decision on how a new civic square and student support centre, part of UCLan’s £200 million Masterplan, could look.

Earlier this year, RIBA ran an international competition which asked architectural practices to submit designs which would deliver an excellent student experience and create a world-class campus.

A shortlist of seven designs has now been chosen and will go on display at St George’s Shopping Centre on August 8-10, and UCLan’s Foster Building on Fylde Road on August 11-12.

Members of the public can have their say on the proposed designs, either at the events or online, before final judging takes place later in August.

"These events are a great opportunity for local people to find out exactly what is being proposed and help inform the final decision. The whole community can reap the benefits of this multi-million pound investment."

David Taylor, Chair of the University Board, said: “These events are a great opportunity for local people to find out exactly what is being proposed and help inform the final decision. It’s not just about choosing a favourite design; we want to know what people like, what they don’t, and hear their own suggestions for improvements.

“The whole community can reap the benefits of this multi-million pound investment so it’s important that the people of Preston have their say.”

UCLan Vice-Chancellor, Professor Mike Thomas, added: “A core principle of our masterplan is to integrate seamlessly with the rest of the city for the benefit of all, and a series of workshops have already taken place with varying user groups to help shape our plans.

“The standard of the shortlisted entries is very high and we’re now looking to members of the public to ensure these designs reflect what’s important to them.”

Combined, the new student support centre and civic square will be the same size as London’s Trafalgar Square and are integral aspects of UCLan’s 10-year Campus Masterplan proposals.

Members of the community can have their say on the designs at drop in sessions from 10.00am until 3.00pm on August 8-10 at UCLan’s ‘In the City’ shop within St George’s Shopping Centre, close to the Lune Street entrance.

On August 11-12, the proposals will be on display between 10.00am and 3.00pm as UCLan’s Foster Building on Fylde Road.

The designs can also be viewed online where members of the public can share their views using the online form. The link will be available from 9.00am on August 8. An image from each of the architects can also be viewed on the UCLan Flickr gallery.