Gateway scheme still on track

10:20am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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A MAJOR “once in a lifetime” development plan in Kidderminster remains on track despite a takeover, according to Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for planning and regeneration.

Conservative councillor, Stephen Clee, said the £38 million scheme to develop the former magistrates court in Comberton Road would go ahead, despite developers, Wilson Bowden, being taken over by Barratt Homes.

The development will include a leisure complex with cinema, bowling alley, restaurant, bars, hotel and homes.

Mr Clee explained that Barratt Homes had expressed the same interest in the plan and was currently preparing a feasibility study to present to the council.

He added: “The new owners want to progress with the site as a major development in the West Midlands.

“This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to redevelop this gateway.

“It will lift that part of town and also act as a catalyst, attracting people into Kidderminster and through to the town centre.”

Mr Clee admitted negotiations had gone “quiet” for a few months while Wilson Bowden were bought out but added things were now progressing.

Another development in Kidderminster will see Debenhams moving into the Slingfield Mill site and Pavers shoe shop and Leading Labels relocating to the former Marks & Spencer building in High Street.

Jackie Roberts, Kidderminster town centre manager, said the move was “extremely positive” and kept two successful businesses in the town, while re-occupying empty premises.

She added work would start on the new Debenhams store in September and should take about nine months to complete.

Jim Young, facilities manager of Pavers, said: “This is a good move, both for ourselves and for Kidderminster High Street.

“”It should give us a bigger profile while, hopefully, encouraging people back into the high street and not just into Weavers Wharf.”

He explained there would be more jobs available but until the layout of the new premises had been fully determined he would not know how many.

There has also been a call for developers to make greater use of the waterways in Kidderminster and to treat the River Stour and the canalside as major assets.

District Liberal Leader, Fran Oborski, chairman of the district council’s regeneration and enterprise scrutiny committee, said there needed to be more shops and houses built alongside the waterways and more use made of them by the public.

She added that the planning development control committee had to work with local land owners and property developers to encourage the change in thinking.

Mr Clee responded that the Conservative administration would not have to change its policy and that “maximising” the use of the waterways had been part of their manifesto since they took control of the district council in 2004.