£12m shopping centre on way for Walsall town centre
A new multi-million pound complex is poised to get the go-ahead in Walsall town centre despite the objections of shopping centre bosses.
Shops and restaurants will be created in the £12m St Matthews Quarter despite concerns it will impact on the Saddlers Shopping Centre.
Topland, which bought the Saddlers last year, mounted a legal battle against the plans which were first backed by the council last spring.
The firm claimed it was not an acceptable shopping development and urged for a full assessment of the impact of the project.
The proposals were re-submitted and are to come back to the planning committee tomorrow.
But council officers say the grand scheme is in line with retail policy with councillors being recommended to approve it and breath life into the town centre.
Further environmental assessment has been considered but is deemed not necessary.
English Heritage raised concerns over the design of the retail parade around High Street and Lower Hall Lane.
The group believes the current plans are not in keeping with the exisiting conservation area.
A report from head of planning David Elsworthy to councillors states: "The Topland objection seeks effectively to shrink the town centre, but national and local planning policies encourage a positive approach to encourage investment in the town centre.
"The current application accords strongly with the main strategy and to support regeneration of the town centre and is to be supported in principle.
"The provision of larger retail units in the St Matthews Quarter should assist in attracting new retailers to the town and in turn strengthen and not dilute the retail core with the aim of providing an enhanced environment and attracting more customers.
"The regeneration of the St Matthews Quarter is a key part of the regeneration of the town centre retail offer and will contribute to resisting out-of-centre and edge-of-centre development."
Bosses at developers St Modwen, who have submitted the plans have previously said the scheme would vastly improve the town centre and create around 200 jobs.
In a separate scheme a new Primark and Co-op are opening as part of a £21 million transformation of the nearby Old Square Shopping Centre. Work is getting under way this month.
