Go-ahead for £60m UCLan student centre project

A £60m project by the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) to build a new student centre and associated public space has been given the go-ahead.The university’s full planning application to develop a 78,620 sq ft student centre and 90,847 sq ft of public squares on a 3.2-acre site within the central part of the UCLan campus has been approved by Preston City Council’s planning committee. The plot earmarked for regeneration currently comprises the land formerly containing the Fylde Building, the Adelphi roundabout and the existing road network around the roundabout.The scheme, which has been designed by HawkinsBrown following an international RIBA competition, involves the construction of a four-storey student support centre building housing a range of facilities including a reception area, informal learning space and a student wellbeing support centre. There would also be a roof terrace incorporating mainly green space.The project also provides for two public squares. The larger square to the south of the student centre would be known as Adelphi Square, while the smaller square to the north would be called St Peter’s Square.The scheme is intended to be the focal point of the university’s £200m masterplan development.UCLan said that work on the site could start in early 2019 with the student centre and square completed during the summer of 2020.