ST. MODWEN GRANTED GREEN LIGHT FOR HEDNESFORD GATEWAY SCHEME
St. Modwen has been given the green light to progress its £50 million Hednesford Gateway development, following planning approval for the Park element of the scheme from Cannock Chase Council.
The approval for revisions to access routes into Hednesford Park enables St. Modwen to now commence the construction programme for the town’s landmark new commercial development, Hednesford Gateway. The scheme comprises two sites: Phase One which lies primarily on Rugeley Road and Phase Two which is situated on Victoria Street, adjacent to Hednesford Park and the railway line. The delivery of the two phases will not only deliver two new developments to the town but will also help to stimulate activity along the linkage between Market Street and Hednesford Park.
Construction is expected to commence on Phase One of the scheme in April beginning with the construction of new purpose built premises for Hollywood Bingo Club and the Reserve Forces and Cadet’s Association (RFCA). Phase One will also include the creation of new retail opportunities facing Market Street and Rugeley Road.
Phase Two is the 3.7ha redevelopment of the Victoria Street area of the town, a primarily retail led redevelopment. This will be anchored by a new 80,000 sq ft elevated Tesco foodstore, with undercroft car parking. Representing a positive expansion of retail opportunities within the town, the Tesco foodstore will be situated alongside a terrace of non-food retail units and a retail kiosk, which together will deliver 38,000 sq ft of new commercial space.
Phase Two also includes a new 10,000 sq ft community facility to replace the existing Aquarius Community/Dance Hall. The quality new facilities will be positioned along a realigned Victoria Street which will feature new bus stands. Initial works to prepare Phase Two for construction are expected to begin in June.
As part of the scheme, the existing Heritage Trail that connects Market Street to Hednesford Park via Victoria Street is also to be retained along the re-aligned Victoria Street. This will be enhanced through landscaping and improved footpaths.
St. Modwen development surveyor, Mark Watkins, said: “Since St. Modwen first entered into a development agreement with Cannock Chase Council, both parties have been working together to come up with a regeneration scheme that will successfully revitalise the town, creating a prosperous new future for Hednesford and establishing a high quality new ‘Gateway to the Chase’. We are delighted to now be able to progress this exciting scheme, creating a safe and welcoming retail and leisure environment within Hednesford that has been designed to foster a positive visitor experience for years to come.”
Bob Phillips, Cannock Chase Council Head of Planning and Regeneration, said: “The start of work on the two phases of the Hednesford Gateway scheme marks the culmination of many years of effort to secure a better future for Hednesford as a shopping centre. Achievement of change on this scale has only been possible with the support and commitment of all the elected members of Cannock Chase Council. The new stores will attract many new shoppers into Hednesford centre each week. This will bring new opportunities for existing traders and the traditional shops along Market Street.”
St. Modwen has a strong track record in the development of new retail space, with 25 retail sites, 18 town centre projects and a retail portfolio comprising over five million square feet. At Longbridge in Birmingham, a proposed £100 million town centre forms part of the £1 billion regeneration of the former MG Rover car production plant and includes a 75,000 sq ft foodstore together with additional retail, bars, restaurants and community facilities. The Trentham Estate and Gardens in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire is a popular tourist and leisure destination which includes a 65,000 sq ft garden centre and 60 shop, restaurant and café units.
