Plans for a £60 million residential education, training and leisure facility could be set to transform the former Preston Dock on the banks of the River Ribble.
The proposed development is at the end of Wallend Road, Preston, next to an existing Trax Motor Centre which currently includes motocross and go-kart tracks.
The existing buildings surrounding the tracks will be demolished and replaced with a single central building, known as Pioneer Training and Education Centre, according to the recent planning application to Preston City Council.
This first phase of redevelopment will cost £10 million and, if accepted, is set to open in 2022.
A further planning application is set to be submitted for a £50 million second phase, which will propose a dry ski slope, a mountain bike course, and a water sports centre, including a cable water ski lake, and a wind surfing and kayak lake.
The modern four-storey Pioneer building will be the central hub for the site, providing accommodation, education and training for young people in care as well as access for the general public.
Ground floor public access area. Pictures courtesy of MCK Associates
The Pioneer building will also contain a workshop for the maintenance of karts, a café and a retail area selling items associated with the onsite facilities.
Additionally, the plans include a partial fifth floor which would form a viewing gallery and roof garden, overlooking the site.
Public viewing gallery
The wider application site will be known as Phoenix Park and will include new car parking areas, a security lodge, a portal frame workshop building, new sports pitches, a raised outdoor seating area and a new viewing stand overlooking the go-kart circuit.
The project also aims to move the current site towards a low carbon future with a focus on recycling and renewable energy; this includes moving from petrol powered motocross and go-karts onto electric replacements, and the instalment of wind turbines.
The application was submitted by businessman Eddie Sloane, founder of Trax Motorsport Ltd, an already well-established provider of educational and vocational facilities.
Mr Sloane said: "We are really excited about the proposed development of Phoenix Park and the benefits it will bring to people that live, work and play in Preston and the surrounding areas.
"Our focus on carbon neutral activities and the ability to provide a modern education provision accessible to all young people to learn about renewable energy and recycling will help create a bright and sustainable future, beyond these dark times.”
Although Preston City Council has already granted Mr Sloane a 100-year lease for the site, further planning permission is needed before any building work can start.
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