FUTURE plans for the regeneration of Burntwood’s shopping centre are set to be discussed by councillors.
Consultants have drawn up proposals for the town as part of a Burntwood Masterplan document.
The £80,000 report was commissioned by Lichfield District Council.
One of the key focuses of the document is around the development of the shopping centre, with consultancy firm Gillespies identifying alternative options.
The report said:
“Consideration is given to three options for improvement of the shopping centre and adjacent sites, including refurbishment, remodelling and redevelopment.
“Refurbishment would reuse the former Oak Pub, reconfigure car parking to the rear, undertake maintenance and improve shopfronts, building elevations and signage.
“Remodelling would also reuse the former Oak and undertake improvements, but also modernise the corners of the shopping centre and central link. It would also provide infill housing to the rear and bring the upper floors of the shopping centre back into use, potentially as residential.
“Redevelopment would replace the existing shopping centre and possibly adjacent sites with new mixed use development – new retail and food and drink focused on Cannock Road and around a new public square with residential above and behind.”
The council has also set aside £1.2million for future regeneration projects in Burntwood.
The Burntwood Masterplan study by Gillespies said any plans for a shopping centre needed to recognise the town’s broader identity too.
It added:
“There is currently good private sector interest in development in the town. That interest has to be encouraged, but it is essential that the council and its partners play their part by seeking the right mix and quality of development expected by the masterplan, supporting the vision of a town in a forest.
“Crucially, the ambition for the town centre as a retail, commercial, leisure and cultural hub needs to be positioned within the wider vision for Burntwood, including the local centres, environmental improvements and access to Chasewater Country Park.
“Action should be taken now to embed these projects into the wider development strategy for Burntwood.
“It is important that the links between potential edge of town residential growth that may emerge in the new Local Plan and town centre regeneration are clear and contribute towards the same ambition to reinvigorate Burntwood to support successful communities and businesses in the future.”
“Opportunity for transformational change”
A report from Cllr Richard Holland, cabinet member for high street and economic development, has recommended the establishment of a “Burntwood Regeneration Board” made up of district, town and county councillors alongside landowners.
He added:
“The study identifies Sankey’s Corner as the central opportunity for transformational change.
“It sets out a vision for a revitalised mixed use town centre with improved public spaces, stronger commercial activity, potential for new homes and enhanced pedestrian and cycle connections.
“The town centre section of the document identifies a series of opportunity sites including the existing shopping centre, land off Milestone Way, the library site, the leisure centre environs and adjacent development plots. These locations together form the core area where investment and land assembly would unlock the greatest regeneration impact.”
But Cllr Holland said that any regeneration was not without challenges, due to the local authority not owning relevant land in the town:
“Despite the strategic importance of the area, there has been little investment until recently by the principal landowner and no comprehensive redevelopment proposals have come forward.
“The study highlights how the council owns very limited land in the town centre, and that most land is in private ownership, often held in multiple interests.
“As a result, regeneration is difficult to proceed with, without potentially a structured and proactive land assembly approach by the council.”
The report will be discussed at a meeting of Lichfield District Council’s cabinet on 12th May.
