Press
INGOL PLANS PROVIDE NEW PUBLIC PARK FOR PEOPLE OF PRESTON
18th November 2010
As part of the outline planning application put forward by Northern Trust for the redevelopment of the former Ingol Golf Course, over 128 acres of private land will be opened up for public use. The area of land which is bigger than
Further benefits include:
- Existing woodland areas will be retained and improved
- Enhancement of wildlife habitats through new ponds, tree and hedge planting and creation of a wildlife conservation area securing the future for protected species
- A circular footpath/cycleway around the site, including a fitness trail, way markers, picnic areas and seating
- Provision for part of the Guild Wheel cycleway route and a traffic free extension towards the city centre
- New community facility/building
- New roundabout at the Lightfoot Lane/Wychnor junction
***
OPEN SPACE MANAGEMENT PLAN
Northern Trust has commissioned a detailed landscape and wildlife management plan by experts for submission to the Council for consideration as part of the planning application.
A Northern Trust spokesperson said “We take very seriously the issue of the open space and recognise the concerns from residents about its future. The Management Plan is being drawn up at this stage rather than leaving it to later in the planning process as a demonstration of our commitment to ensure the open space will be managed responsibly both financially and technically to secure its long term use by the public.”
To achieve a robust and enduring Management Plan Northern Trust will be liaising with a variety of local and national landscape and wildlife organisations including:
- The
- Woodland Trust
- British Trust for
LOCAL SCHOOLS BENEFIT
The proposal from Northern Trust is that all new residents will pay a service charge to cover the annual maintenance costs. This means no existing households will be expected to pay for upkeep of the park although they will be free to use it. It is hoped that local people will become involved in the actual running and maintenance through community groups and Northern Trust will welcome any approaches from such groups. The park and wildlife habitats will also provide schools with the opportunity to use the facilities for projects and educational purposes.
***
ONGOING CONSULTATION WITH LOCAL & WIDER COMMUNITY
Northern Trust officially launched a new DVD flythrough and displayed a model of the redevelopment of the site at an exhibition held on Preston Market last week. The display was a further commitment by Northern Trust to involve all sectors of the population in the ongoing consultation and was held to gauge the views of the wider communities of
The spokesperson commented “Hundreds of people saw the exhibition and were given the opportunity to submit written comments. Over two thirds confirmed there was a need for more market and affordable homes in the area. The majority also believed there was not enough public parkland in
The proposal has evolved through Northern Trust continuing to work closely with the local authorities, wider communities and key stakeholders which has resulted in the number of proposed houses being reduced by almost 15%. Under the outline plans less than a quarter of the site will be developed with housing and part of the site has been identified for a new community facility. Out of the 550 new homes, approximately 20% will be affordable with the aim of helping first time buyers onto the property ladder.
The spokesperson continued “The DVD fly through can be seen on the Ingol Vision website (www.ingolvision.co.uk). It shows how the proposals would bring back into use a redundant and currently private site to provide new homes and 128 acres of public open space.”
Northern Trust is still keen to hear views and welcome suggestions on what the community facility could provide.
For more information and to view the fly through video please visit the dedicated website www.ingolvision.co.uk.
- End –
Press Enquiries to
