Shopping centre plan for Cannock town centre car park dropped
A large shopping complex earmarked for a Cannock town centre car park is no longer being built, it was revealed today.
Council bosses had hoped to attract the likes of Marks & Spencer, Debenhams and Next when they developed the Beecroft Road car park.
But they have been forced to abandon the scheme after market tests showed big names are unlikely to be attracted to the town in the current economic climate.
Instead the land is now being earmarked for mixed use, including restaurants and cafés, but it could take up to five years before a developer is appointed and definitive plans are in place.
And town regeneration boss, Councillor Diane Todd said today the council could not rule out compulsory purchase orders being made by the council on some homes in Allport Road to make way for the scheme.
Councillor Todd, cabinet member for town centre regeneration, said: "The council's original aspiration was to create a step change in the retail offer of the town centre that could attract well-known big brand retailers and hoped to attract a department store.
"The recent market test report has shown that in the current climate the council's aspiration is unlikely to be achieved.
"The council is now advised to look for a more mixed use scheme such as leisure, retail, food, café and restaurants, but ultimately it will be for developers to put their proposals forward for the council to review.
"The council wants to achieve a major change to the retail and leisure offer in the town centre if it is at all commercially and physically viable to do so.
"Yes the money could be spent on something else but the council believes that spending a little to try and bring new investment into Cannock is worthwhile."
A public consultation into the scheme was launched on July 1.
The Beecroft Road car park was identified back in 2008 as an ideal spot for redevelopment.
Councillor Todd said the council wanted to continue with the new proposed scheme to try and improve the town centre. She also said there would be a risk of Cannock losing more big names such as Burton and Evans if it did not go ahead.
And on the subject of not ruling out compulsory purchase orders she added: "We cannot say whether or not a developer would want to include any adjoining properties also within the site area.
"There are currently no proposals to compulsory purchase any property in connection with the Beecroft Road site."
