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St Walburge’s new education centre and community plans

Posted on - 15th January, 2023 - 7:00am | Author - | Posted in - Ashton-on-Ribble, Education, Preston Council, Preston News, Redevelopment
Aerial view of St. Walburge’s Centre within the site
Aerial view of St. Walburge’s Centre within the site

Plans have been lodged to enhance the community and educational aspects at the St Walburge’s Centre, in St Walburge’s Gardens.

The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest, seeks approval for change of use of the first-floor offices in St Walburge’s Centre to a premises office used for educational training, alongside renovation and improvement works.

To enable the proposed use permission is sought to carry out the necessary upgrades to the historical grade I building and to improve the adjacent car parking facilities and playground area.

It is expected that this use will occur four days a week, between 8.30 am to 4.30pm on any day and would involve activities for both children and adult parishioners of St. Walburge’s Church.

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The Talbot School, circa 1979, west elevation facing then Weston Street Pic: Preston Historical Society
The Talbot School, circa 1979, west elevation facing then Weston Street Pic: Beth Hayes, Preston Historical Society

The site which adjoins the Grade II listed former Talbot School, lies within approximately one mile from Preston city centre and can be accessed on foot directly from Weston Street and St Walburge’s Gardens, with vehicular access along the same route.

There are no development works planned to the ground floor of the St. Walburge’s Centre or any of the other buildings within the curtilage of St. Walburge’s Centre.

To improve the existing functional layout of rooms on the first floor, approval is sought for a two-storey extension to provide new access with a staircase accessible lift, which will be situated on the southeast side of the building to have minimum impact on the setting of the heritage asset.

If plans are given the go ahead, some of the works outlined in the proposal report will be:

  • repairing damages to the roof and existing water leakages
  • replacing all windows
  • replacing front doors
  • modernising existing toilet facilities and adding a new accessible toilet
  • installing metal railings on the boundary and access gate to the parking area
  • installing new surface and playground equipment on the recreational area, and a new access gate at the south side of the playground, and ball netting along the fence

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The heritage design and access statement prepared on behalf of the Institute of Christ the King Charity said: “The addition of a new staircase and the lift is likely to increase the heritage’s asset significance in terms of its
communal worth and compliance with current regulations by making the premises of St. Walburge’s Centre accessible to disabled visitors.

“Interior layout alterations and repairs of the first floor of St. Walburge’s Centre, will enhance the building’s existing value, ensuring the premises are accessible to disabled persons, and are fit for holding community faith enrichment and educational activities

“The slight to moderate impact on the significance of the application property caused by the proposed works is far outweighed by the overall benefits to the public, through enhanced religious and communal use.”

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