Preston restaurant’s unusual request for helipad

A popular Italian restaurant in Preston wants to create a dedicated parking area for one of their regular customers – who usually drops in by helicopter.

The Italian Orchard in Broughton has applied for planning permission to install a pair of helipads on land in front of the eatery on Whittingham Lane.

According to documents lodged with Preston City Council, a “visiting client” already uses the site to touch down when he arrives to tuck in – but the spot can sometimes become waterlogged.

Now, the much-loved restaurant – which has been serving more traditionally-transported guests for over 40 years – has decided to try to cater for more than just the dietary preferences of this particular diner.

Obviously aware of their guest’s usual visiting pattern, the restaurant has told town hall planners that the use of the helipads will be “strictly occasional – perhaps once or twice a month”.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service approached the Italian Orchard to see if they could provide any more details about the customer whom they want to ensure can always find a parking space – but the management team was unavailable.

A planning statement submitted to the city council says:  “The restaurant owners have identified a need for occasional use of a helipad by a visiting client – he normally comes in tandem with another helicopter and pilot, hence the need for two landing pads.

“Currently the helicopters use the same area for landing, but it is an area currently of open grassland with a clayey subsoil which does sometimes get waterlogged. The proposed helipads will be constructed of self-draining macadam over a granular fill and will not require mains drainage of surface water.

“The area where it is proposed to construct the helipads is currently an area of open cut grassland – it is proposed that the bio-diversity of the area will be increased by shrub planting and use of a wildflower mix in an area of uncut grass.”

The Italian Orchard is part of the San Marco group of restaurants, which have several venues in Central Lancashire – including Stratos and Angelo’s in Preston city centre and Trattoria San Marco in Much Hoole.