The Preston and South Ribble Civic Trust, the Preston Historical Society and retired architect Colin Barnes, a member of the Fulwood Conservation Group, are to attend a special meeting about the controversial plans next week.

Preston Council is considering transforming the Victorian square with a 64-jet water fountain – which doubles as a stage when turned off – granite walkways, fibre optic lighting, sculptures and metal artwork.

But Historical Society archivist Linda Barton said she was "appalled" by the designs.

She said: "The whole society was very upset at the design.

"The council came out and said they had picked it because it was the most sympathetic to the square, but how putting in fountains and lights can be sympathetic I do not know.

"The people who have designed it just seem to have missed the entire purpose of the park."

Aiden Turner-Bishop, chairman of the Civic Trust, said it was "gathering information" to present its case against the proposals.

Mr Barnes is hoping to present his own design for the square, which includes renovating rather than building on the area.

He is proposing repaving the paths which criss-cross the park to create Avenham Way – a link between Fishergate and Avenham Park – together with new seating, floral displays and an information centre, with a bronze statue of Preston benefactor Edmund Harris taking centre stage.

The council's designs will be taken around the city by the Citizen Zone bus with a meeting of the Central Area Forum at the Town Hall at 7pm on Thursday, July 31.

The plans will also be on show at the Town Hall on Monday and Tuesday between 11am and 3pm and in the Citizen Zone vehicle on the city's Flag Market between 11am and 3pm and in the vehicle in Avenham Park on Thursday and Friday.