Amounderness House currently stands empty Pic: Paul Swarbrick A historic Preston building has moved a step closer to being brought back to life after more t
A historic Preston building has moved a step closer to being brought back to life after more than 20 years lying idle in the heart of the city centre.Councillors have given the go-ahead to the conversion of the former magistrates’ court building, Amounderness House, into an office and retail facility.
City council planning officer Jonathan Evans said that the planned addition of mezzanine floors in the original part of the property – in order to create a new second floor level – was deemed “harmful, but…the harm would be at the lower end of less than substantial. Committee member Jennifer Mein said that it would be “fantastic to see building back in use again” – and she and her colleagues unanimously approved the request, made by the council itself, both for planning permission and listed building consent.
The project has been designed by Preston-based FWP Architects and the facility will be run by office specialists W_rkspace when it opens, which is expected to be in late 2025. Preston City Council leader Matthew Brown, added: “On the back of this excellent news, we can transform Amounderness House and capitalise on this asset being in public ownership and using it to support growing local businesses. Furthermore, in line with our community wealth building principles, we’re working with Preston-based W_rkspace to run this important heritage asset as it helps boost our economy.
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