Major student flats plan on former Preston social club site

The new flats would be seven storeys high at their peak

A former social club is due to be torn down as more student flats are built just a stones throw from Preston’s university campus.

Plan from David Cox Architect show how the New Friargate Social Club in Maudland Bank would be demolished to make way for flats housing 152 students.

The development would rise from four storeys near existing homes to seven storeys high at the junction of Maudland Road and Pedder Street.

The former social club closed in 2014 and the land was sold later that year.

The former social club has stood empty for nearly three years Pic: Google

Proposals from David Cox state: “The site, at present, detracts from the area and redevelopment will stimulate benefits including a more vibrant street-scene to Maudland Bank.

“A livelier frontage to the canal side, which is to be redeveloped over the medium term into a green corridor by the University of Central Lancashire. In the short term this frontage will provide better natural surveillance to the existing playground which is underused.

“It gives high quality purpose built accommodation for students in the city.”

How the new flats would look next to existing homes in Maudland Bank

The architects are submitting the plans on behalf of developers Fort Group Limited.

Pictures released show how the new student flats would look superimposed onto the view of St Walburge’s church spire from Maudland Road – an iconic and classic city view.

How the view to St Walburge's Church would look — How the view to St Walburge’s Church would look

The plans come as the University of Central Lancashire continues to work on the Adelphi roundabout and surrounding area as part of its £200million redevelopment of the Preston campus.

Anyone can view the full plans on the city council website and comments can be left there on the planning application.

What do you think of the proposals? Do you live nearby? Let us know in the comments below