Security fears as vandals target historic institute

The Harris Institute has been derelict since 2014

Security concerns have been raised after vandals and fly-tippers targeted a 175-year-old building.

The Harris Institute in Preston has been struck by vandalism over recent weeks with rubbish dumped and surrounding paving stones smashed.

The damage has sparked calls for a speedy decision over a planning application that seeks to bring the derelict Grade II-listed building back into use, which is set to be discussed by Preston City Council in December.

John Turner, chair of the Friends of the Harris School of Art, said: "The longer they leave it, the worse it's going to get."

"If there is someone there with the money to invest, then let them get on with it," he said.

The building has been subjected to fly-tipping

The latest security fears come almost two years after unauthorised access – gained under a previous ownership – enabled the building to be turned into a cannabis farm, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The institute on Avenham Lane was once an art school, which was operated by the University Of Central Lancashire for a time, and was last in use as the Darul Aloom Islamic Institution before being vacated in 2014.  

It is now controlled by Bolton-based Harris Investment Group Limited.

A planning application is seeking to bring the building back into use as an art gallery, conference centre and co-working space.

The blueprint, which includes the conversion of the neighbouring Regent House building into nine holiday lets, was lodged with Preston City Council back in June

The proposal is due to be considered at a meeting of the authority’s planning committee in December.  

It is understood the process has involved discussion with Historic England, which had already placed the building on its at-risk register.

A council spokesperson said the authority was in "regular contact" with the building's owners as well as police about criminality at the site.