JOBS, NEW HOMES AND A FOODSTORE FOR WOLVERTON
St. Modwen launches vision for major Railway Works regeneration
St. Modwen, the UK’s leading regeneration specialist has launched its initial ideas for the regeneration of its 37-acre, semi-derelict Railway Works site on Stratford Road, Wolverton.
This significant private investment will deliver a package of community benefits in the heart of Wolverton town centre, including a new discount foodstore, a mix of new homes and modern new premises for its growing railway business tenant.
Gary Morris, senior development manager at St. Modwen commented: “In its heyday, the Railway Works site in the heart of Wolverton Town Centre was a thriving railway business community employing thousands of local people. We want to preserve the much cherished rail-related use at the Railway Works and re-invigorate the site to deliver more shopping choice, family housing and job opportunities for Wolverton’s community.”
Following the demise of Railcare, the site is now home to Knorr-Bremse Rail Systems (UK) Ltd, a successful and growing railway business. However, as a modern, progressive business, operating in a highly competitive market, it needs new fit-for-purpose premises in order to secure current and future jobs.
The newly launched proposals are the result of work by St. Modwen, and Knorr-Bremse, to see how the site as a whole can be redeveloped to safeguard businesses on site and for maximum benefit to Wolverton. They respond to many factors which St. Modwen has explored, including market demand and what type of development will support, rather than compete with, the Town Centre. As a result, the proposals include:
modern new premises for Knorr-Bremse on about half of the site securing hundreds of jobs now whilst supporting additional future jobsdiscount foodstore with excellent levels of parkingresidential development, including family homes and affordable housinglandscaped areas and pedestrian links through the new housing and from the foodstore into the Town Centre and the Agora Centre site.
Gary Morris added: “Our business model is all about delivery and we have a strong 25 year track record to prove it. We have a desire to get things moving now and are planning to present outline proposals for public consultation in autumn this year. These proposals have already been welcomed by Milton Keynes Council in initial discussions and subject to planning, we will be driving forward the delivery of a new discount foodstore for the town centre as an early phase of the Masterplan.”
Following public consultation in the next couple of months, St. Modwen plans to submit a planning application for the whole site at the end of 2014; it is hoped a decision will be reached by spring 2015. With the new discount foodstore delivered as the first phase, subject to planning, the regeneration proposals, including the new premises for Knorr-Bremse and the new housing, will be delivered on a phased basis over three to five years, to suit Knorr-Bremse’s business needs.
