Published: Friday 14th June 2024 | 8.21am
Cannock Chase Council’s Cabinet approved proposals for phase two of the Cannock town centre regeneration project, at their meeting on Wednesday 12 June.
Cabinet have granted permission to spend up to £8,750,000 on phase 2 of the project. This includes a programme of land acquisitions, demolition and public realm works for the Forum Shopping Centre and retail units located on Church Street to create development opportunities for the future. In addition, Cabinet approved the proposals to purchase retail units along Market Hall Street / Market Place which will be retained by the Council.
The Council have submitted a project adjustment request to Department for Levelling Up, Homes and Communities (DLUHC), which includes a request for a 12 month extension to the project timescale to enable the Council to complete phase 2 of the works.
However, phase 2 of the project is subject to a decision to approval of the project adjustment request by DLUHC which will not be made until after the General Election this July.
Dean Piper, Head of Economic Development and Planning said “Cabinet have approved the proposals for phase 2 of the project, however the start of this phase is subject to DLUHC approving the project adjustment request. Without this we can’t proceed.
“The second phase of the project includes a wider area within the town centre which brings forward a different scheme to that originally envisaged. Phase 2 is now focused on creating opportunities that will hopefully be a catalyst for investment from developers into the town centre.”
Cabinet have already agreed permission to spend £9m on Phase 1 of the project, which will include improvements to Beecroft Road car park, and the creation of a new ‘Northern Gateway’ which will improve pedestrian access into the town centre from Beecroft Road car park. Phase 1 also includes the demolition of the multi-storey car park which will start later this year.