College can expand despite parking objections

A Lancashire sixth form college has been given permission for a major expansion to meet rising demand for places, despite protests from residents living nearby who say they already cannot park close to their own homes.

Cardinal Newman College has been told it can build a new two-storey teaching block on what is currently a car park at its campus off Herschell Street in Preston.

The college expects to have 5,000 students by the end of the decade, more than the 4,727 who are currently enrolled.

Preston City Council's planning committee approved the application despite 22 objections after hearing the college would be forced to cap its numbers unless it was given the opportunity to expand.

Councillors were also told of the negative impact of the existing facilities on the quality of life of surrounding residents, who fear the situation will only get worse as student numbers increase.

Under the now approved plans, the new block will sit directly behind the St Teresa building and take up half of the car park upon which it will be constructed.

The remainder of the plot will then be reconfigured to provide 16 new parking bays, resulting in an overall loss of 26 staff parking spaces.

One opponent – identified only as Ms Dadabhoy – addressed the committee, describing what she said was the "stark" contrast between living in the area during term-time and in college holidays.

She said: "Residents can't park anywhere near their own properties, emergency vehicle access is compromised, visibility at junctions is frequently reduced due to cars being parked too close [to them and] driveways are blocked.

"The sheer volume of students gathering before and after the college day can't be ignored – noise... loitering [and] inconsiderate behaviour are affecting the quality of residents' lives."

Fishwick and Frenchwood ward councillor Valerie Wise said the area was already plagued by on-street parking.

However, Helen Binns, speaking on behalf of the college as the agent for the application, said that the 26 on-site parking spaces that would be lost as a result of the development would be provided in privately run car parks where Cardinal Newman reserves bays for its staff.

She also stressed that 90% of all Cardinal Newman students arrive on site by bus, train, bicycle or on foot – with those who do come by car often being passengers in a vehicle driven by someone else and so not in need of a space for the day, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

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