‘Urban village’ plan for Stoneygate area of Preston city centre

Stoneygate, running down by the Minster, just one of the areas to be looked at Pic: Richard Swan

Ambitious proposals to create an ‘urban village’ within a run down area of Preston could be moving a step closer.

Preston City Council has announced it is bringing in Manchester-based consultations Nexus Planning to work on the Stoneygate plan.

The area running off Church Street includes the Queen Street retail park, Cardinal Newman College but also large swathes of empty buildings and former warehouses.

A four month study is to be undertaken of the Stoneygate area to come up with a masterplan and how regeneration in the area can be delivered.

Cabinet member for planning and regulation councillor Peter Moss said: “Developing an action plan for Stoneygate is an important next step for the city centre, and our City Living Strategy, and we are pleased to appoint Nexus Planning as consultants to lead us and our partners in this study.

“It is exciting to watch the city centre come to life with investments such as the City Deal infrastructure, City Living developments, soon-to-be Shankly Hotel, Guild Hall developments and of course, Preston Markets. The Stoneygate area provides great opportunities to further expand and diversify Preston’s city centre.”

Church Street is to see a lane closed for a fortnight Pic: Tony Worrall — Parts of Church Street have seen changes to its road layout Pic: Tony Worrall

The Stoneygate area now appears to have been expanded from its original boundary in the City Living strategy.

Originally it encompassed the area behind the Minster through to Manchester Road, with the ‘Horrocks Quarter’ earmarked around the Queen Street retail park. These two areas now appear to be merged

Director of Nexus Planning Peter Tooher said: “Nexus are really pleased to have been appointed on this exciting project and we are looking forward to adding real value to the initiative. Stoneygate has the potential to be a genuine urban village, mixing housing, creative industries, business and education in an attractive, historic and diverse environment adding yet another dimension to the growth of the Preston City Centre.”

What would you like to see happen in Stoneygate? Let us know in the comments below