County council commits to major town centre regeneration scheme

A major town centre regeneration scheme which will repurpose and redevelop surplus Staffordshire County Council buildings and land is moving forward after the council’s cabinet confirmed its commitment to the programme.

The Eastgate regeneration scheme in Stafford, which could lever in around £30 million of private investment, includes buildings in Tipping Street, Martin Street and land formerly occupied by the town’s magistrates court. It will attract new residents, businesses and visitors, helping to establish Stafford as a leading UK county town.

Initial surveys and detailed investigations are now largely complete.

Working with chosen developer partner and sector specialist ION, outline proposals are for mixed-use residential, commercial and leisure development. This could include new and enhanced public realm and green spaces at St Chad’s Place and off South Walls – creating an engaging corridor to connect the River Sow with the Market Square and high street.

Latest work has seen detailed surveys of buildings in Martin Street and Tipping Street – formerly county council offices – carried out to help determine their future use and redevelopment options.

The Eastgate regeneration project will complement work taking place led by Stafford Borough Council on high street redevelopment, including the former Guildhall shopping centre and former Co-op store and follows the Market Square refurbishment.

ION has more than 30 years’ experience of working with local authorities to deliver transformational urban regeneration projects in Liverpool, Wirral, Sefton, Wolverhampton and Denbighshire.

Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “We know there is huge potential for Stafford town centre to become a leading location for urban living, leisure and commercial development, capitalising on its connectivity.

“We are committed to make Stafford a county town to be proud of, enhancing its historical assets and creating attractive spaces for visitors and residents. Working with Stafford Borough Council we can continue to build on recent successes such as the Market Square, Victoria Park and Shire Hall, in making the town a thriving place in the daytime and evening. These are exciting proposals and together with ION we can deliver a first-class scheme.”

Steve Parry, managing director at ION Developments, said: “We believe places are all about people and people need to experience exciting locations with a choice of high-quality homes, access to jobs, a high-quality public realm and good transport links.

“There is a huge opportunity within the Eastgate project to engage with the local community and stakeholders to create a destination area that will enhance the town’s desirability and boost its long-term social and economic prosperity, including its visitor economy.”