This is the new vision for Whittingham Park's Gatehouse - one of Preston's most unique buildings

A cafe, some thought, or even a museum to the psychiatric hospital it was part of. But now, plans have been registered with Preston City Council for Whittingham Park’s iconic gatehouse, North Lodge, to become a house.

Paul Preston of BARE Capital Ltd, has submitted detailed proposals for the Victorian building, which has fallen into “significant disrepair”. The proposals include a 96m2 extension to the north western end of the existing house together with changes to the boundaries and landscaping.

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The number of bedrooms would increase from two to four, there would be three car parking spaces instead of none, and outbuildings would be removed. In a statement to council planning chiefs, Mr Preston’s agent says: “Follwing many years of neglect after the closure of Whittingham Hospital in 1995, North Lodge is currently in a state of significant disrepair. The proposals seek to salvage, conserve and refurbish the main part of the original house and to extend the existing house in the location of the previous out-buildings at the northern end of the house to create additional living and sleeping space.

“The existing out-buildings are in a state of significant delapidation, to the the point of collapse. In terms of their relative significance, they are of lower heritage significance than the main house. They are set back from the north western site boundary by approximately two metres and define the extent to which the site has previously been developed. It is proposed to demolish these structures, as well as the free-standing wall that enclosed the rear yard in order to construct an extension.”

Rather than trying to mimic the red brick of the existing house, the intention is for the proposed extension to be constructed with a buff brick to contrast with the existing red brickwork but to pick up on the colour of the existing stone dressings.

History and the site

North Lodge was likely built to the design of Henry Littler, the architect responsible for the design of the Whittingham Hospital complex in around 1870. It features architectural details such as a stair turret to the eastern façade and decorative bargeboards complete with finials.

North Lodge is located at what was the northern entrance to the hospital site, along Cumeragh Lane. The immediate setting of the lodge is its residential curtilage which consists of a private garden to the north and west of the main house. The access road remains to the south and now provides access to the NHS mental health facility at Guild Lodge.