Plans are continuing to redevelop the bus station area in Lichfield – but talks are underway over a new location in the city centre.
The details have been confirmed by Lichfield Civic Society who have been part of discussions over the Birmingham Road Site proposals.
Regular ‘sounding board’ meetings have been held by Lichfield District Council with organisations and individuals to look at how the development on the former Friarsgate land may progress.
Initial plans saw the bus station removed, sparking concerns from residents.
But a spokesperson for Lichfield Civic Society says there have been reassurances at the meetings that a bus station will remain in the Lichfield city centre
“We cannot at this stage share all we know as that could interfere with important negotiations.
“We can, however, say that Lichfield District Council plans to move the bus station, but it intends that the new one will still be in a central location.”
Lichfield Civic Society spokesperson
Other discussions have centred around the future of other buildings on the Birmingham Road Site, including the local authority’s own offices.
Plans are already afoot to create a new business incubator hub in part of the council offices.
The civic society spokesperson said:
“This will provide mostly office space for small – possibly “start-up” – businesses and will provide a source of future income for the council to compensate for some of the cuts imposed by central government on local authorities.
“There are also some listed buildings, which form part of the council complex. Lichfield District Council proposes that these, too, will act as a source of income.
“The council is trying to find an educational institution to rent the Master’s House and, possibly, have shared use of the former Grammar School.
The Grammar School building is, of course, currently used as the council chamber. It will probably continue to be used for council meetings, and the civic society will strongly urge Lichfield District Council keep it for this use.
“Access to this historic building must be retained for the citizens of Lichfield.”
Lichfield Civic Society spokesperson
Some plans for the land on the Birmingham Road Site into a cinema may need to be revisited if a proposal to convert the former Debenhams store goes ahead.
Lichfield District Council and the new owners of the Three Spires Shopping Centre have embarked 0n a joint project exploring the possibility, but say a number of operators have already shown interest.
But it would mean a rethink on the Birmingham Road Site project which initially proposed a new cinema to sit on land where the multi-storey car park currently sits.
