Cardinal Newman College plans to create Art Quarter

Artist's impression of the north elevation of the proposed Cardinal Newman College Art Quarter Pic: Ellis Williams Architects — Artist’s impression of the north elevation of the proposed Cardinal Newman College Art Quarter Pic: Ellis Williams Architects

Plans have been submitted by Cardinal Newman College for a new stand-alone teaching block to accommodate media and art departments.

The aspiration is to combine the TV and digital media departments close to the existing art departments and create an ‘Art Quarter’ including external landscaped space.

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The planning application, registered on 5 July 2022, seeks approval for the demolition of the existing plant room, external stairs and walls and erection of a three-storey building to provide college accommodation.

This is together with minor external alterations to St Bede Building, new external fire escape, new access ramp and steps, modification of retaining wall to the front of St James Building to create new steps, new boundary wall and pedestrian access from Albyn Bank Road, landscaping and ancillary works.

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The three-storey teaching block would include a TV studio, photo studio, and graphics, art and media rooms.

The building floor area would be 1,220 sq. m and would provide 11 additional classrooms or studios, dedicated open learning areas, staff rooms and store rooms.

Artists impression of the north west elevation of the proposed Cardinal Newman College Art Quarter Pic: Ellis Williams Architects

The college, situated in Larkhill Road, has looked to remodel internally the area of St Bede’s next to the proposed site and form a new main opening and a new entrance into St Bede’s. There would be a direct link into the new external landscaped area and to St James Building, which is Grade II listed and currently contains most of the art offer.

The proposed new teaching block would be located to the south of the site on the existing St James car park so as to provide a new external courtyard, the existing car park would not be replaced.

The planning documents say the new facility is intended to enhance the college while aiding the roll out of new media courses. The proposals would help to reduce the strain of existing teaching facilities, and provide access to high quality accommodation.

To view the application (06/2022/0780), visit the Preston City Council website.

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