CONNAHÌâå_S QUAY REDEVELOPMENT SCHEME A STEP NEARER

Outline planning consent has been granted to St Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist, for the £13 million redevelopment of Fford Llanarth Neighbourhood Centre, Connah’s Quay, Flintshire.

The existing centre constructed in the 1970s is to be demolished and replaced by a new development comprising a 50,000 sq ft food store which will anchor the scheme, and 20,000 sq ft of additional retail space.

The new scheme will incorporate two acres of council-owned land adjoining the site. The remainder of the site was acquired by St Modwen as part of a portfolio of properties acquired from KwikSave which were surplus to its then operating requirements.

St Modwen is in advance negotiations for the letting of the anchor food store and hopes that the first phase of the scheme will be under construction in the autumn. It is planned that several of the existing tenants will be relocated into the new scheme once completed.

Paul Batho of St Modwen said: “We are pleased to have obtained planning consent for this development which is a good example of St Modwen¹s ability to work closely with local authorities to secure the regeneration of dysfunctional shopping centres.

“We hope to sign up the foodstore occupier and obtain detailed planning consent during the summer and to make a start on site immediately following this.”

Lisa Fearn on behalf of Connah’s Quay Town Council, said: “The project regenerates the whole area and has our full support and we look forward to its completion. We have been a key stakeholder from the beginning. We have assisted in delivering services and facilities to the people of Connah¹s Quay, and are helping with the retention of existing businesses as well as the creation of jobs.”

Couns Peter MacFarlane and Ian Smith of the Town Council, said: “We are pleased to be working closely with St Modwen to achieve this exciting development in the community which we regard as a huge vote of confidence in the area.”

Cheetham & Mortimer is acting for St Modwen.

For further information contact Paul Batho of St Modwen (01925 825950).

Issued by Paul Raymer of Howle Chapman Raymer (0121 313 1000).

Ref: MOD/62/08