Challenge on town's future
Developers are being challenged to transform a prime site in the centre of Stafford which could bring hundreds of jobs to the town.
Developers are being challenged to transform a prime site in the centre of Stafford which could bring hundreds of jobs to the town.
Staffordshire County Council wants a major development in Tipping Street at the current car park site.
It will provide a link between older parts of the town and new shopping facilities planned for the riverside corridor.
Private developers were today urged to test their imaginations and come up with a scheme which will realise the economic potential of the site – currently an unsightly car park.
They have until the end of November to register their interest.
It is hoped the development will provide shopping space, a new county council base and the possibility of hundreds of new jobs for the town.
The council will move some operations from a number of older premises around the town into new purpose built offices on the site.
With Stafford Borough Council redeveloping the riverside and the old St George's Hospital site also in the regeneration melting pot, Tipping Street is being seen as the missing link in the town's future.
The development of the site has been on the cards for years. The car park will be relocated to a multi-storey facility linked to Queensway link road.
Staffordshire County Council's Cabinet member for economic regeneration and sustainable communities, John Wakefield, said: "This is a great opportunity to shape the most exciting period in Stafford's history.
"We are entering a period of unrivalled expansion, of opportunity for the people of Stafford.
"Everything is slotting into place as the town is delivering new jobs, new homes and new investment.
"We are determined to ensure this development is carefully shaped to deliver an attractive and high quality townscape to build upon Stafford's reputation as a great place to live, work and visit."
Council chiefs will give potential developers the broad brush of their vision and are then hoping to receive innovative plans to transform the space.
"We are looking for something really special that builds on Stafford's historic traditions, extends the boundaries of the imagination and makes the most of modern technologies to reduce energy use and protect the environment.
"We want this development to define the future," Councillor Wakefield said.
Developers who would like an information pack can call GVA Grimley on 0121 236 8236.
The closing date for expressions of interest is November 30.