Number of roads to be removed from Winckley Square conservation area

Fox Street is one of the roads which heritage officers say has 'lost character' Pic: 70023venus2009 — Fox Street is one of the roads which heritage officers say has ‘lost character’ Pic: 70023venus2009

A number of roads in Preston city centre could be stripped of their conservation area status.

Currently the Winckley Square Conservation Area – which gives the square and surrounding streets special protections against certain types of planning – covers a large stretch of roads to the south of Fishergate.

Now Preston City Council says it wants to consult on removing the conservation area from 10 sections of road.

A council report states the areas ‘do not have the same characteristics as the area to the south of Fishergate’.

Council officers write: “The areas of concern are Fox Street, Lune Street, St Wilfred Street and parts of Fishergate that remain cluttered with traffic signs, street furniture, poor frontages, lower quality signage and modest street services.”

The report goes on to brand the Premier Inn in Fox Street as ‘insensitive development’ and Lune Street ‘cluttered’ and the St George’s Shopping Centre frontage as ‘not in keeping with the area’.

Traffic and congestion in and around Winckley Street is also referenced, saying the square has a ‘congested environment’.

The recently revamped Winckley Square is described as 'possibly the finest Georgian Square in Lancashire' Pic: Tony Worrall — The recently revamped Winckley Square is described as ‘possibly the finest Georgian Square in Lancashire’ Pic: Tony Worrall

The following roads would be removed from the conservation area:
– Charnley Street
– Chapel Walks
– 45-50 Fishergate, south side
– 84-99 Fishergate, north side
– Fleet Street
– Fox Street
– Georges Road
– Lune Street
– St Wilfrid’s Street
– Surgeons Court

This reduces the Winckley Square Conservation Area to be to the south side of Fishergate, running down to the square itself and its surrounding streets.

The area surrounded by the red line shows where the new conservation area would be - the area to the north is lost — The area surrounded by the red line shows where the new conservation area would be – the area to the north is lost

The city council is due to consult on the proposals which are in the process of being signed off by the cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor Peter Moss.

You can read the full report on the city council website.

What do you think of the proposal to reduce the size of the conservation area? Let us know in the comments below