Preston City Mission sits on Corporation Street. Pic: Gill Lawson

A city centre car park used by worshippers is safe for another three years.

Preston City Mission had applied for use of land between the church and the Premier Inn to be used as a private car park.

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It currently uses the space and needed to apply for a three year extension, although it had originally asked for five years.

Councillors on the city council’s planning committee voted to extend it for three years and expressed their desire to see the land developed.

Planning officers had recommended the land, which they describe as a “prime site” in the city centre, only be used as a car park for another three years.

City centre councillor Drew Gale said: “It’s important we see this site developed in the coming years as it is a major piece in the development of the city centre.”

Councillor Margaret McManus who represents Sharoe Green ward said it was important church-goers had somewhere free to park in the city.

Head of development manage and building control at the city council, Alison Kershaw, said the council needed to limit the permission to three years otherwise the land may not be attractive to developers.

In 2010 a planning application was approved to turn the church and land around it into student accommodation but this plan is currently stalled and planning permission has lapsed.

Do you use the City Mission? What do you think should happen with the land? Let us know in the comments below