Preston’s response to new Preston North End training complex

An artist impression of the new training facility which PNE hope would be ready for the 2018 season

Preston North End’s recent proposal for a Premier League-quality training facility has caused much controversy.

The plan will include a new state-of-the-art complex on Ingol Golf and Squash club for the team to train at, and it is hoped to be open in time for the 2018 season.

The plan comes under a wider scheme for the golf course to build 450 new homes.

The proposal has been submitted to Preston City Council for a decision in the coming months.

What nearby councillors had to say

Councillor Jason Jeffrey, Ingol ward, said: “The training facility for Preston North End overshadows the reality of the application, which is another 450 houses in North West Preston – which means we will lose one of the few remaining large green spaces.

“Given the city can barely afford to maintain our existing parks and gardens, the inclusion of public space in the application just means that the residents of Preston are going to have to subsidise this development through their Council Tax for a long time to come.

“I’m really concerned that the developer has applied multiple times to to build smaller developments on the land, each time being rejected by the Council and upheld by the government planning inspector.

“This time the application is for an even larger housing development, which doesn’t reflect the agrees Local Plan which clearly states that there should be no housing development on this site, something which I have constantly supported.”

Councillor Damien Moore, Greyfriars ward, said: “I have been contacted by residents in the area who have concerns about the development, particularly due to the lack of infrastructure – which would place significant limitations on a development of this scale.

“There needs to be wider consultation amongst residents, whose views need to be taken into account.

“Whilst we may welcome a new park in the area this will need ongoing maintenance putting pressure on an already decimated parks budget as stated by the Labour Administration on Preston City Council.”

What Prestonians had to say

Glyn Reeve was opposed to the idea, saying: “It is yet another proposal that follows many rejections. Each proposal probably costing the people of Preston thousands of pounds that we could put to better use.”

Natalie Milton felt that the Fulwood roads would suffer. She said: “It’s just a cover up for the elephant in the room, i.e. the fact that they want to build 450 houses in an area that is already swamped. The access to the training ground itself, is Walker Lane and getting down there is bad enough already. Furthermore, this supposed Park that is ‘twice the size of Avenham Park’ is nothing more than the compilation of a few pieces of land that skirt the whole development. The BMX track and other ‘perks’ also fail to come with parking. I just don’t see how the roads in Fulwood can take anymore given the recent boom in housing developments. Don’t be deceived by this Trojan horse of a training ground!”

Holly Illing, however, is in favour of the new plan. She said: “This will be brilliant for the club and the city!”

Reece Moon also thought it would be beneficial for Preston. He said: “Seems fine to me, being a Preston North End fan myself I reckon it will help them with their fight against other big clubs in the League… and who know’s, if they’re training at a Premiership standard maybe it will make them play like it too!”

Louise Mason said: “Preston, particularly places such as Ingol, need to make the most of the green spaces remaining in this city.”

Ryan Moss, disagreed with Louise, saying: “It’s hardly unnecessary. There is a housing shortage and people need to get over the ‘not in my back yard’.”

Do you live in the area? What do you think about the Preston North End proposal? Let us know in the comments below.