CONTROVERSIAL plans for a care home in Preston's Ashton Park have been dropped in favour of a site in Ingol, the Citizen can reveal.

The news comes as ambitious plans designed to transform the park are about to go on display for public consultation.

It means that instead of having a care home built on it, the park could become home to a beautiful Victorian garden, complete with wheelchair-friendly maze, a large natural pond, a wetland to encourage wildlife, an adventure playground, a dog shower, and an events arena surrounded by trees.

County councillor Tony Martin, executive member for resources, said the council's new preferred site for the home is in Cottam Avenue, off Tag Lane.

The plan to build the home in Ashton Park was announced last August, but after a massive public outcry he promised to look elsewhere.

Councillor Martin said: "Residents in Ashton did not want the home in the park, so we have gone away and found this.

"We are hoping to acquire the site as soon as possible, but if it falls through we will have to look at the situation again."

The news has been welcomed by the group, Friends of Ashton Park (FoAP), which played a big part in the protest.

Secretary Maureen Ellison said: "I am thrilled, this is superb, it would have been a sin to build the care home on the park."

Ashton Park was bestowed to the people of Preston by the Pedder family, and campaigners felt building the care home would rob residents of green open space.

Larches ward Councillor Danny Gallagher also played a key role in the campaign against the care home. He said: "It's fantastic news, it's the right decision and the Victorian garden is a far better use of the park.

"The site is ideal; once the orbital bus route gets going it will be perfect."

The Friends received funding for the Victorian garden plan in the form of a £1,500 community design grant from the county council last August.

Now the Friends are encouraging residents to attend the public consultation to see the plans for the Victorian garden.

Mrs Ellison said: "We are hoping that everyone loves the plans, because we do. It's about making a park that we can all be proud of and enjoy."

The plans will be available to view at the pavilion in Ashton Park on Saturday March 19 from 9am-1pm and on Monday March 21 from 4pm-7pm.

Meanwhile county council chiefs are in talks with a private developer to acquire the new preferred site, 1.5 acres of land to build a 44-bed care home for elderly patients. The plans might also include building sheltered accommodation and a retirement village.

Building a new care home in Preston forms part of an unpopular closure scheme announced in 2002 to reduce the county council's care homes from 48 to 15.

Under the scheme Preston is due to get a £4million care home with space for 44 long term care patients and a 35-bed day care centre.