Proposals to create a new temporary car park on the outskirts of Preston city centre have been parked.

The brake was applied by Preston City Council’s planning committee.

The council wants to tarmac land between Hardwicke Street and Penny Street, off North Road, for a 76-space pay and display car park.

It says the car park is needed to help offset the loss of parking spaces in the city when the Market Hall car park is closed for demolition.

Read more: When demolition work is due to begin on Preston Market

Nearby residents and the St Ignatius Square Conservation Area raised objections to the proposals.

Councillors on the planning committee said the car park application should be deferred ‘for further consideration of the car park layout and boundary between the proposed car park and the residential properties’.

Nine councillors voted in favour and three against.

What those objecting had to say

Chair of the Friends of St Ignatius Square Conservation Area Nick Millband said: “I am delighted to be able to report that following the representations of myself, a neighbour and Cllr James Hull at the planning committee held on the 5th May, the application has been deferred.

“Essentially what this means is that the majority of Councillors on the committee, having considered our objections, voted in our favour by asking the planning department to draw up a revised plan which takes into consideration our concerns.

“There will still be a 67 space car park, but a much wider green strip will be left between it and the rear of our properties, which to us represents an excellent compromise. The revised plan will be published soon and a further meeting will be held with the Friends of St Ignatius Square next week to finalise details prior to the resubmission of the revised plan at the next planning committee on the 26th April.

“This outcome has greatly restored my confidence in the democratic process within our City’s Council and demonstrates that our Councillors, when presented with clear facts, are ready to put the wellbeing of citizens of Preston first – which I am sure will be reassuring to readers.

“One piece of advice I would give to others objecting to planning proposals would be to prepare your presentations well and rehearse them beforehand. You are given a very short three minutes to get your point across, so if you can, prepare a Powerpoint presentation with clear pictures that illustrate your concerns.

“I was fortunate to be able to create a 3D model of the proposed development using computer game technology, as I am a 3D digital artist. This allowed the committee members to see exactly what the issues with the original design were, and I’m sure that helped us achieve the outcome we got. It is certainly true that a picture paints a thousand words, and with only three minutes you don’t really have time to try and describe complex issues verbally.

“The Friends of St Ignatius Square Conservation Area would also like to thank Cllr James Hull for his support and assistance throughout this process. If you have a planning issue of your own your councillor can be your best ally, as we have found.”