Latest news with #towncentre
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Kennet Shopping Centre redevelopment appeal hearing ends
A planning inquiry into a council's rejection of a town centre redevelopment has been Berkshire Council's planning committee rejected the proposal for a residential and retail development with more than 400 flats at the Kennet Shopping Centre in Newbury, and an appeal into the decision began on 4 for and against made their closing statements to the inspector on Thursday, before it was adjourned for two weeks for additional paperwork to be inspector Richard Aston will make his ruling in August. The proposals would see 427 buy-to-rent flats built, as well as a new street linking the town centre to the conservationists and Newbury Town Council raised "serious concerns" about the effect on the townscape of the height and scale of the proposed development, and urged the inspector to dismiss the Norman from the town council pointed out that an alternative scheme, which has not yet been heard by the council, had "received broad support"."The town centre deserves a scheme that enhances the public realm, supports a vibrant local economy, and responds sensitively to its unique historic context," he plans were turned down by councillors against the advice of officers - something they are entitled in law to council's heritage expert also went against the previous officer recommendations, saying the development would "cause harm" to the character of Newbury. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Plan to convert former M&S store into homes
A former Marks & Spencer shop in Chesterfield could be converted into apartments. Developers have submitted plans to convert the vacant building in High Street into 43 flats. The proposals, which were submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council last week, include a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio apartments for the site in Derbyshire. A planning report said the scheme has been designed to "attract single professionals, couples, and young families" by offering "easy access to shops, services and public transport". Developers said the "accessibility of shops, services, and public transport makes town centre living particularly attractive" for these people. Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@ or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210. Homes approved on former miners' welfare club site Plan for 72-bed care home approved by councillors Chesterfield Borough Council
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Plan to convert former Chesterfield M&S into apartments
A former Marks & Spencer shop in Chesterfield could be converted into have submitted plans to convert the vacant building in High Street into 43 proposals, which were submitted to Chesterfield Borough Council last week, include a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom and studio apartments for the site in Derbyshire.A planning report said the scheme has been designed to "attract single professionals, couples, and young families" by offering "easy access to shops, services and public transport". Developers said the "accessibility of shops, services, and public transport makes town centre living particularly attractive" for these people.
The Sun
05-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Town centre dubbed ‘long-forgotten eyesore' set for £65m transformation into ‘stunning' landmark and plaza
ALL CHANGE Work on the town centre in Nottinghamshire could start as soon as early 2026 A TOWN centre dubbed a "long forgotten eyesore" is set to undergo a massive £65 million transformation. The vision is to build a "stunning" landmark building in the left-behind area. 2 Ashfield District Council has revealed major plans for what it calls the "North Kirkby Gateway". The project will redevelop the Pond Hole site in Kirkby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, as well as the former factory shop on Ellis Street. The old factory will be turned into a "striking landmark building" that will be home to 24 town centre apartments and business units along Kirkby Plaza. New parking spaces will also be introduced as well as 55 units providing retirement living for Ashfield residents. The council plans to submit a planning application in Autumn 2025 and is currently in the process of appointing a contractor to deliver the project. Work could get underway as soon as early 2026 with the view of completing the redevelopment by Spring 2027. The plans are just one of the Council's projects being funded by the £62.6 million Towns Fund. The Towns Fund has already seen the completion of the Planetarium and Science Discovery Centre at Sherwood Observatory as well as a redesign of Portland Square and upcoming West Kirkby Gateway project. Councillor Warren Nuttall, who represents Greenwood and Summit on Ashfield District Council, said: "This site has become an eyesore and is in desperate need of transforming to create a stunning gateway into Kirkby. "We are excited to be able to share these plans for North Kirkby Gateway, offering desirable town centre living, community space and business opportunities. "We are committed to developing these sites that appear to be long forgotten into somewhere Ashfield can be proud of. "It is being funded by the council's £62.6 million Towns Fund." The council has said the demolition of the old factory shop building later this year will be the first milestone. Work on the derelict Pond Hole site is already underway and is being carried out by Langcroft Developments. Spokesman for the company, Craig Cameron, announced work was now underway in what is "a big step forward in bringing this exciting regeneration project to life". Huge new £1.3billion redevelopment to create new 'cultural hub' in London He said: "This marks a key moment for the Ashfield Town Fund programme and we're proud to be playing our part by delivering much-needed, high-quality and affordable provisions designed with older residents in mind - promoting independent living in a safe, accessible setting. "We've appointed CPMG Architects to lead the design and planning process and we're working closely with Ashfield District Council to make sure the scheme ties in with the wider vision for the area - from housing and skills to enterprise and community infrastructure. "We've had great support from the Council, the UK Government and the local community so far and with grant funding in place, we've already started the remediation and enabling works to help move things forward quickly." Separately, Ashfield District Council also lodged a planning application last October for the redevelopment of a new school. The Outwood Academy, formerly known as Kirkby College, has a capacity for about 700 pupils with students potentially moving into the new building by September 2027. Kirkby-in-Ashfield isn't the only area to see a major redevelopment either. to make it "fit for the 21st century". Sweeping changes to Leicester Market are on track to be completed by the end of next year. Elsewhere, Croydon's centre is finally set to undergo a major redevelopment. From retail and housing to new public spaces and improvements to the train station, the London borough is set to see a whopping £5 billion invested into the area.
The Sun
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Huge £17.5MILLION boost for England's ‘saddest town' where high street is dubbed ‘death row'
ENGLAND'S "saddest town", where the high street has been dubbed 'death row', has been given a huge financial boost to improve it's town centre. Barrow-in-Furness was once a thriving port town, but fell into disrepair after jobs in the steel industry dried up, with most shops now boarded up. 5 5 5 The Office for National Statistics has classified it as one of England 's most deprived towns, and a YouTuber who explores the UK's roughest areas described it as " England 's saddest town." Police battle rampant drug gangs, and many buildings have been vandalised with graffiti and broken windows. Barrow resident James Riche previously told The Sun: 'Covid hit the town centre hard. "I call it death row because so many of the shops are shut and boarded up. We avoid it." However, the Cumbrian town's look is about to change. Barrow is home to the BAE Systems factory, which builds the UK's key military submarines - including the Trident nuclear programme. And because of its "importance to National Defence" has been granted a whopping £200 million from the government, which will be used to give the town a facelift over the next 10 years. This is on top of the £17.5 million of cash that was given to the town back in October 2021. The council said: 'Extra funding made available through Team Barrow means significantly more money is now available and this has the potential to deliver a more transformational regeneration of the town centre. 'The additional funding from Team Barrow would be on top of the money already committed by Government for the current town centre regeneration works. 'In recognition of the town's strategic importance to national defence and security, the Government has agreed to invest more than £200m in Barrow over the next 10 years. 'Team Barrow will use this money – and seek to secure additional private and public sector investment – to help transform the town, delivering improvements across health, education, transport, the economy and community.' Plans for the regeneration are currently being finalised, but could include a new and improved theatre and events space, better food and drink offerings and leisure and market facilities. Simon Case, chair of Team Barrow, said: 'We have bold and ambitious plans for Barrow and this includes transforming the town centre. 'While these are very early stages, with a significant amount of work now required to develop these plans, we are clear in our vision that this must deliver more than simply high street regeneration. 'The Government's investment in Barrow presents us with a once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the challenges which face the town. "This means that in addition to delivering a town centre that has a strong retail, leisure and cultural offering, we will also prioritise improvements in housing, health and education.' Bae Systems is set to drastically expand its workforce, due to a surge in demand, meaning that the population in Barrow is set to swell from 60,000 to 90,000 over the next decade. Some of the newly employed workers and their families will be housed in a new 800 home waterfront development, called Marine Village. Case has likened the regeneration of Barrow to the town of Bourneville, which was built specifically to house Cadbury 's factory workers and their farmers. He said: "With the pressure that we've got on getting the Astute boats finished, then Dreadnought and then Aukus, we started to focus on this two years ago for almost Bournville-like reasons.' "The town is a strategic national asset, although it hasn't always been viewed that way. 'Pretty quickly, we realised we needed Team Barrow to create an environment that would deliver that happy, skilled workforce we need to support the defence nuclear enterprise. "Thanks to Mr Putin and Mr Xi, the business case makes itself!' 5 5
