Latest news with #AmberAfzal
BBC News
14-05-2025
- General
- BBC News
Preston: 'Dangerous' derelict pub to be made safe
The owner of a "dangerous" derelict pub has started to make the building safe after the council threatened to step in. The former Old Dog Inn in Preston, a Grade II-listed building, was showing partial signs of collapse in its rear City Council had given the pub's owner permission to knock down and rebuild the owner's work to make it safe came after the council said it would be forced to intervene and do the work itself. The building, in Church Street, dates back to the 19th century. It closed as a pub in 2018. 'So dangerous' The council said after making several unsuccessful attempts to contact the owner it felt it had "no option" than to proceed in exercising its powers under section 78 of the Building Act 1984 to demolish the rear wall and prop the front facade. A notice of intention was served with a date for the work to start stating the significant costs would be recovered from the owner through legislation. Scaffolding went up on the site on Saturday. 'No option' The council said it has contractors on site to ensure the necessary work is carried out and to provide any support Amber Afzal, cabinet member of planning and regulation, said: "We had no option but to act immediately to ensure the safety of the contractors on site and the general public. "We will endeavour to retain as much of the front facade as possible, due to the Grade II listing of the property."He added: "The future of the property remains uncertain at this time."Planning documents from earlier this year named the owner of the building as Asjed BBC has been unable to contact him for comment. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Parks to be revamped as city's £7.5m plans backed
Work aimed at transforming two "treasured" parks in Preston has been given the go-ahead. The city council's planning committee approved the £7.5m redevelopment of Moor Park and Waverley Park. The Grade II*-listed Moor Park will get an improved playground, a better changing pavilion, and see a long-forgotten bridge being rebuilt across the Serpentine Lake. A wildflower meadow will also be created. Waverley Park, meanwhile, will get a pump track and a new football pavilion to replace the current one which is set for demolition. There will also be three revamped football pitches. The work is set to start this summer, the council said. Councillor Amber Afzal, cabinet member for planning regulation, said: "We are delighted these plans have been passed and we can get started on the much-needed improvements to our city's treasured green spaces." Councillor Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said it would also "help to increase outdoor activity and [improve] the health and well-being of our communities". He said the investment would help deliver "new, higher quality and more accessible sports and play facilities, better footpaths and landscaping to enjoy, in a safer environment". Both schemes will be funded by the government. They were part of a £20m bid made under the previous government's Levelling Up fund. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer. City's oldest park in line for £3.9m overhaul Sport England objects to park revamp
BBC News
06-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Preston's Moor Park and Waverley Park £7.5m revamps approved
Work aimed at transforming two "treasured" parks in Preston has been given the city council's planning committee approved the £7.5m redevelopment of Moor Park and Waverley Grade II*-listed Moor Park will get an improved playground, a better changing pavilion, and see a long-forgotten bridge being rebuilt across the Serpentine Lake. A wildflower meadow will also be Park, meanwhile, will get a pump track and a new football pavilion to replace the current one which is set for demolition. There will also be three revamped football pitches. 'Enhance our green spaces' The work is set to start this summer, the council Amber Afzal, cabinet member for planning regulation, said: "We are delighted these plans have been passed and we can get started on the much-needed improvements to our city's treasured green spaces."Councillor Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for environment and community safety, said it would also "help to increase outdoor activity and [improve] the health and well-being of our communities".He said the investment would help deliver "new, higher quality and more accessible sports and play facilities, better footpaths and landscaping to enjoy, in a safer environment".Both schemes will be funded by the were part of a £20m bid made under the previous government's Levelling Up fund. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
