Plans go in to convert former Magistrates’ Court into office and retail space
Plans to convert Preston’s former Magistrates’ Court into office and retail space have been submitted by the city council.
Grade II-listed Amounderness House will undergo a £7.4m refurbishment and is one of six major projects planned under Preston’s Harris Quarter Towns Fund Investment Programme, for which the city was awarded £20.9m from the Government’s national Towns Fund initiative in March 2021.
The refurbishment of Amounderness House, originally built in 1857, into a high quality modern, flexible, multi-use workspace hub will help stimulate business, cultural, and community uses in the city centre.
Harris Quarter is a unique area of Preston undergoing a £200m investment programme to transform its historic buildings, sites and public realm into a diverse culture, leisure and employment offering, with Amounderness House located beside the £45m+ Animate cinema and leisure complex, which is under construction and due to open in spring 2025.
Plans for Amounderness House’s refurbishment, designed by Frank Whittle Partnership, include the sensitive repair and redevelopment of the existing former police station, cells and magistrates court building, retaining the historic building fabric wherever possible while creating a space suitable for modern use.
When completed, the refurbishment will see 26 offices of circa 645 sq ft and four craft or retail studios made available. In addition, the existing courtyard will be updated and open for public use.
Maple Grove Developments is working with Preston City Council and W_rkspace as project/development manager via the Lancashire Regeneration Property Partnership to deliver the project.
Chair of Preston’s Towns Fund Strategic Board, John Chesworth, said: “It’s fantastic that plans have been submitted to transform Amounderness House into a vibrant commercial space. The scheme will provide much needed office accommodation in the city and contribute to the growth of Preston’s economy.
“It’s a remarkable building with significant historical and architectural importance, and we’re delighted to see that those assets are celebrated in the proposed plans.”
Smith & Love is the planning consultant for the scheme. Director, Deborah Smith, said: “The reuse and repurposing of Amounderness House will make a significant contribution to Preston Council’s regeneration plans for the city centre.”
Nik Puttnam, senior development manager with Maple Grove Developments, said: “The submission of the planning application and listed building consent is another key milestone which has been achieved on the project.”
The project team for Amounderness House also includes Cowburn-Watson Box, SCP Transport, Eden Heritage, E3P, TRP Consulting, and Graham Schofield Associates.
