Pictured above: CGI of Hednesford Gateway
development
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.