Stafford Council earmarks £332,000 towards acquiring town centre site

The authority also updated its capital programme to reflect the £3.735m cost of acquiring land near the town’s railway station, as part of the Stafford Station Gateway project, at a full council meeting on Tuesday, July 22.

The exact location of the sites has been kept confidential due to commercial sensitivity, and the reports were not discussed in detail at Tuesday’s meeting. 

But councillors made the decisions, which included establishing budgets of £88,000 and £90,000 to support the two acquisitions, in public.

Authority was given to the Head of Economic Development and Planning, in consultation with the deputy leader, cabinet member for economic development and planning and the council’s Section 151 Officer, to complete the leasehold acquisition of the unnamed town centre site. 

Councillors also gave the go-ahead for a delivery plan to progress for the site, including appointment of external contractors, preparation and submission of regulatory approval applications, conducting relevant surveys and entering into any necessary licence agreements.

Stafford Council was awarded £14.3 million by the Government in 2020 to help fund the town centre regeneration project and has previously purchased the former Guildhall Shopping Centre and former Co-op Department Store to enable redevelopment of both sites. 

Work is ongoing to demolish part of the former shopping centre and department store, with the historic frontages set to be retained, and the sites are earmarked for future commercial, retail and residential use.

Staffordshire Council is also involved in Stafford town centre regeneration. 

It is working with sector specialist ION on proposals to transform surplus county council buildings and land into new residential, commercial and leisure spaces.

At Tuesday’s full borough council meeting, opposition group leader Jeremy Pert said: “Given the number of other big projects of a similar nature we have already going on, can I have a commitment we have the right knowledge and experience of officers to be able to deliver these schemes properly as we would want? 

"To make a success of this isn’t to leave the schemes mothballed and I’m sure that isn’t the cabinet member’s desire either.

“As a landowner now of a number of sites, can I also have some comments in terms of a commitment to to a town centre masterplan? That, to me, ties it all together.

“There have been a number of changes over a number of years. 

"It’s really important for the future of our County Town that conversation is tied together and we get a robust masterplan.”

Council deputy leader Rob Kenney said: “I can assure you we have the correct ability within our existing team and we also have some external help. 

"They are progressing very well with all aspects of town centre regeneration and I feel confident in them.”

Hundreds of new homes, business space and a multi-storey car park are earmarked for previously developed land as part of the Stafford Station Gateway project. 

"It was announced in late 2023 that £20 million was being awarded from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund towards work to bring the scheme to light, but Stafford Borough Council faced a wait of more than a year for the confirmation of the funding.

Speaking on the land acquisition, Councillor Ant Reid, cabinet member for economic development and planning, said: “This has been a long-standing plan across a number of different administrations and bodies. 

"The team knew this was coming and we are prepared with the resources.”

The county council’s Eastgate regeneration scheme includes buildings in Tipping Street and Martin Street, as well as land previously occupied by the town’s former magistrates court. 

"Initial surveys and detailed investigations are now largely complete, the authority said this week, and the project will complement the work led by the borough council.

Martin Murray, Staffordshire County Council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “We know there is huge potential for Stafford town centre to become a leading location for urban living, leisure and commercial development, capitalising on its connectivity. 

"We are committed to make Stafford a county town to be proud of, enhancing its historical assets and creating attractive spaces for visitors and residents.

“Working with Stafford Borough Council we can continue to build on recent successes such as the Market Square, Victoria Park and Shire Hall, in making the town a thriving place in the daytime and evening. 

"These are exciting proposals and together with ION we can deliver a first-class scheme.”

Steve Parry, managing director at ION Developments, said: “We believe places are all about people and people need to experience exciting locations with a choice of high-quality homes, access to jobs, a high-quality public realm and good transport links. 

"There is a huge opportunity within the Eastgate project to engage with the local community and stakeholders to create a destination area that will enhance the town’s desirability and boost its long-term social and economic prosperity, including its visitor economy.”