A view of the new engineering centre from the Adelphi Square roundabout

A new £30m building is to rise into Preston’s skyline from later this year.

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Engineers of the future are to be trained at the University of Central Lancashire’s new Engineering Innovation Centre.

Given approval by Preston City Council’s planning committee it has been hailed as a ‘powerful hub’.

The glass-fronted building will allow the public to see into the labs, offices and studios which make up the five-storey building.

Sited on the edge of the Adelphi roundabout it is being built on the current Foster building car park and is the first step in a £200m redevelopment of the university’s Preston campus.

Related: See the university’s £200m campus masterplan for Preston

Chief operating officer at the university Michael Ahern said: “The approval for work to begin is an important moment for the University and the future redevelopment of Preston. A true flagship development for the city, the EIC will be a powerful hub for developing and nurturing talent that will help the UK retain its place as a leader in engineering and innovation.

“We’ve worked, and will continue to work, in consultation with local stakeholders on transformational plans which will create a world-class campus and a legacy that befits everyone – students, businesses and members of the local community.”

A view of students at the new engineering building

The engineering building is to cost £30m and work is to begin later this year. It has room for 650 students to be taught at one time.

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