A new view of the Youth Zone standing to one side of the Bus Station

A smaller Preston Youth Zone is to be built next to the city’s grade-II listed Bus Station.

New drawings show how the youth zone may look which has been reduced in size to ensure a ‘clearer view’ of the bus station.

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Changes to the youth zone designs include a new public space outside the bus station, and more details about repairs to the bus station are due to be announced.

Prestonians are being invited to look at the new design for the Youth Zone at a public exhibition.

John Puttick, the British-born architect based in New York and London who won the public vote with his original Youth Zone design, said: “One of our key objectives has been to design a building maximising available public space in and around the bus station to create a major new square for Preston. This supports the civic quality of the project.

“It has also been important to respond to the proudly utilitarian quality of Preston Bus Station by designing a new neighbour that shares and celebrates this robustness, just as a youth centre used for sport and as a place for creativity should do.”

A view of the Youth Zone from the Ringway

A full planning application for the Bus Station and Youth Zone is due to be lodged in the coming months. The budget for the work is £23.3 million, coming from Lancashire County Council and £1m from Preston Youth Zone itself.

Jennifer Mein, leader of the county council, said: “Taking time to get the design right now will help this process in the future. It’s important that we develop plans to gain the necessary planning approval and ensure that we deliver this youth zone for our young people and improve the bus station for everyone to use.

“Our plans for the bus station are a major investment in the city centre, which will also enhance the regeneration of the Markets Quarter. We’re working to revitalise this section of the city by improving this major transport hub and providing high quality facilities for public transport users and motorists.

“Through the Preston South Ribble and Lancashire City Deal, we’re delivering improvements to roads and public transport that will make it easier for people to get around and bring new people into the city, which benefits the local economy. All in all, this is an exciting time for the city.”

Inside the newly refurbished Bus Station

The county council is beginning work this week on the Bus Station ramps, with investigation into the car park ramps causing confusion for motorists with a poorly-worded sign.

Related: Preston Bus Station design entries, what might have been?

Plans for the Youth Zone have been amended following consultation with the 20th Century Society and Historic England.

Clare Price, senior conservation adviser for the 20th Century Society, said: “The
Twentieth Century Society have been involved in detailed consultations with the design team to ensure a secure future for the listed Preston Bus Station.

“The Society commends the team’s attention to detail in the Bus Station refurbishment and careful consideration of the impact of the new Youth Zone on the setting of the listed building.”

Another view of the Youth Zone alongside the Bus Station

The exhibition to view the new plan runs from Thursday 19 May at Stand 3 of the Bus Station until Saturday.

Related: Preston Bus Station winning design branded ‘a disgrace’ by architecture critic

The plans are available to view 8.30am to 5.30pm on Thursday and Friday, and 8.30am to 12.30pm on Saturday.

They will also be uploaded onto the Lancashire County Council website until 5pm on Wednesday 25 May and the public can give their views via the website.

What do you think of the Youth Zone plans? Let us know your views in the comments below

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