Plaque unveiled to 'unsung hero' from Clayton-le-Woods

Preston City Council staff have paid tribute to former colleague, Phil Davis, assistant director of planning, who died last year.

An engraved plaque has been put on a bench in the Japanese garden of the city’s Avenham Park.

The plaque, paid for by Phil’s former colleagues and others who knew him, reads: “In memory of Phil Davis, Assistant Director (Planning) 2000-2007 Preston City Council, in recognition of his 32 years serving the people of Preston.”

The site was chosen because of Phil’s involvement with the multi-million pound regeneration of Avenham and Miller Parks.

Phil, who died of a heart attack in June last year, lived in Clayton-le-Woods with his wife Elaine and two sons, Michael and Alex.

He was also involved in several projects that helped shape Preston including the University of Central Lancashire, the Mall St George’s shopping centre, the docklands and most recently, the Tithebarn regeneration project.

During his 32 years with the council, Phil held various positions within the planning department before becoming the assistant director responsible for managing the service from 2000 to 2007.

He also oversaw the approval of thousands of planning applications, as well as the development of the local plan and many other policies.

Councillor Neil Cartwright, cabinet member for development, said: “This plaque is a worthy tribute to a wonderful person.

“A lot of people, both inside and outside the council have fond memories of Phil.

"He is still missed by many people today and this is reflected by the generosity people have shown in contributing to his memorial plaque.”

Phil was born in Preston but spent his early years growing up in Devon where his parents Fred and Natalie and brother John still live.

He moved back to Preston in 1975 when he started his career with the council.

Peter Kuit, director of development, said: “It’s astonishing to think that Phil served the people of Preston for 32 years.

"This is a tremendous piece of public service and one of the reasons why we wanted to remember him with this plaque.

“Phil was one of the council’s unsung heroes doing a lot of work behind the scenes to bring about many of the developments that have put Preston on the map and made it what it is today.

“He was a popular character, gave faithful service to the council and was very highly valued.

"On behalf of my colleagues, it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with him.”

Preston City Council staff have paid tribute to former colleague, Phil Davis, assistant director of planning, who died last year.

An engraved plaque has been put on a bench in the Japanese garden of the city’s Avenham Park.

The plaque, paid for by Phil’s former colleagues and others who knew him, reads: “In memory of Phil Davis, Assistant Director (Planning) 2000-2007 Preston City Council, in recognition of his 32 years serving the people of Preston.”

The site was chosen because of Phil’s involvement with the multi-million pound regeneration of Avenham and Miller Parks.

Phil, who died of a heart attack in June last year, lived in Clayton-Le-Woods with his wife Elaine and two sons, Michael and Alex.

He was also involved in several projects that helped shape Preston including the University of Central Lancashire, the Mall St George’s shopping centre, the docklands and most recently, the Tithebarn regeneration project.

During his 32 years with the council, Phil held various positions within the planning department before becoming the assistant director responsible for managing the service from 2000 to 2007.

He also oversaw the approval of thousands of planning applications, as well as the development of the local plan and many other policies.

Councillor Neil Cartwright, cabinet member for development, said: “This plaque is a worthy tribute to a wonderful person.

“A lot of people, both inside and outside the council have fond memories of Phil.

"He is still missed by many people today and this is reflected by the generosity people have shown in contributing to his memorial plaque.”

Phil was born in Preston but spent his early years growing up in Devon where his parents Fred and Natalie and brother John still live.

He moved back to Preston in 1975 when he started his career with the council.

Peter Kuit, director of development, said: “It’s astonishing to think that Phil served the people of Preston for 32 years.

"This is a tremendous piece of public service and one of the reasons why we wanted to remember him with this plaque.

“Phil was one of the council’s unsung heroes doing a lot of work behind the scenes to bring about many of the developments that have put Preston on the map and made it what it is today.

“He was a popular character, gave faithful service to the council and was very highly valued.

"On behalf of my colleagues, it was a pleasure and a privilege to work with him.”