The university would take the number of parking spaces on the Preston campus to just shy of 1,400

The University of Central Lancashire is applying to make a temporary car park permanent.

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It claims the current financial climate means the university is in no position to construct any new buildings on its Preston campus.

Victoria Car Park is on the site of the former Brock, Brennand, Blakewater and Brun Halls which were demolished in late 2009.

The student accommodation was knocked down creating 122 parking spaces, but a condition was added requiring a renewal of permission after two years.

This permission was renewed in March 2012 taking the time limit for the car park off Ashmoor Street to March 2014.

A report from DPP, on behalf of UCLan, states: “The reason provided for these restrictive conditions on both permissions was that the permanent use of the site as a car park would promote unsustainable travel patterns and prevent or unduly delay the redevelopment of the site.”

It continues to outline the financial pressures facing the university.

“Whilst the site still has the potential in the future for redevelopment, due to recent and well publicised cuts to University funding UCLan will not be in a position to make the significant investment required to redevelop the site in the short to medium term.

“The site is not earmarked for redevelopment within the lifetime of the current University Estates Strategy. UCLan therefore wish to continue to receive beneficial use of the land for car parking but on a permanent basis to ensure certainty regarding car parking numbers to assist in the effective management of the University Campus.”

The car park would be officially marked up if permission is given, and it would include 97 parking spaces.

Anyone wishing to comment on the application should do so by Saturday 2 February, and the plans are available to view on the council website.