Plans have been submitted for a new £60 million student centre and civic square at the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).

The scheme forms part of the University's 'masterplan' project and a decision on the plans is expected to be made during late 2017/ early 2018.

Designed by Hawkins Brown following an international RIBA competition, the development features a 7,304 sq m Student Centre providing a new reception area, informal learning spaces and a student wellbeing support centre.

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In addition, the new Civic Square will span 5,220 sqm providing flexible and adaptable spaces for a wide range of community, public, business and student uses. The project also contains plans for improvements to the public realm in Adelphi Quarter.

David Taylor, Chairman of the Board at UCLan, said: "Our ambition has been to deliver a centre of learning where people of all interests and backgrounds can feel at ease, comfortable in their physical surroundings and supported in their academic, social and business aspirations.

"We also wanted a landmark building and a new civic square that will transform the existing campus and the City of Preston, and provide a new heart for UCLan. The new centre will be a welcoming, functional, focal point for all front line student, visitor and staff enquiries. It will also be an important public asset that embraces the city scale and positively contributes to the ongoing regeneration of Preston."

(LM)