Plans to develop Winckley Square are being targeted by the Winckley Square Campaign group, who are petitioning the Council’s planning committee.

The group, part of the Preston and South Ribble Civic Trust, are putting postcards all over Preston allowing residents to object to planning application ‘06/2009/0762‘.

The postcard states:

I wish to object to the above application [06/2009/0762]. I feel that the plans are very unsympathetic to the unique character of Winckley Square gardens. The Square is a fine natural green space in the centre of our city and these plans would seriously damage the character of this classical square. The Council should restore Winckley Square not reconstruct it. The Council should also work with other owners of the gardens and respect the legal condition of the landlord’s leases.

The redevelopment plans, submitted by Bristol based Cooper Partnership, outline:

[The] erection of 8m high illuminated totem structure; installation of new footpath network, steps, paving areas and access ramp; water feature with illuminated jets; new lighting columns, seating and new boundary railings including Edith Rigby artwork

The group won a competition held by Preston City Council to provide ideas for redeveloping the Square.

Trust chairman Aidan Turner-Bishop, speaking to the Lancashire Evening Post, said:

We want Winckley Square to look nice. They should restore it like they have done with Avenham Park.

The plans are just mental really. While people want something done, they don’t want it to look a right mess, but this thing…

I have looked at the plans for the totem pole and bits of it are made of plastic. That won’t last 20 years. We want it to be a classic square like they have in Bristol or London.

The plans are due to be considered at the Preston City Council planning committee on 10th January 2010.

View the planning application for Winckley Square.

Image credit to George D Thompson.