A BLUEPRINT for the development of the site of former Moor Lane flats in Preston was unveiled this week.

It is largely for student accommodation and small businesses, with a provision for youth and community facilities, such as an all-weather play area.

There is no room for car parks or any large retail outlets on the site, as the plan stands at the moment, but that could all change after it goes out to public consultation.

The council hopes to attract major developers to the project announced almost a year since the site was razed.

The development, which brings together the historic and the modern, centres around the privately-owned windmill Craggs Mill, a grade two listed building which survived last November's demolition.

The plans have been praised by the university, who say it will help their planned expansion over the next ten years when the student population, currently at 30,000, is expected to swell to 50,000.

A spokesman for the UCLan said: "Anything that makes life more attractive for students in Preston is a positive step. The new Trinity Student Village is very successful and I expect this project will be so too."

But not everybody is so enthuiastic.

Sean Liddell, secretary of the Moor Lane Displaced Tenants group, questioned the need for more student accommodation.

Sean, who lived in the flats for five years before their demolition, said: "I've got nothing against students, but I think there are too many places in Preston at the moment for them."

The site has been deserted since the two blocks of flats were demolished for safety reasons. Residents were quickly evacuated, and a spectacular explosion saw the end of the flats. But a question mark has hung over the future of the site ever since.

Developments expected for the site also include university educational facilities, office buildings and housing with at least three bedrooms.

Part of the site could also be used as a car park and bus terminus, temporarily, to help out with the Tithebarn redevelopment of the town centre.

The plans were expected to be passed by the full council (yesterday) and any developers hoping to move to the site would have to follow the plans.

Janet McDonald, senior planning officer at Preston City Council, said: "We have produced a supplementary planning guidance. Once cabinet has approved the scheme it will go out to public consultation..

"Then it will be on the council website, where it will be available for anybody to look at."