Green light given to build a better Bromsgrove

8:19am Wednesday 6th August 2008

A MULTI-MILLION pound package of proposals aimed at building a better Bromsgrove have been given the green light by Worcestershire County Council.

Plans to regenerate the town centre were approved at the July meeting of the council's cabinet.

The authority is one of a number of partners, including Bromsgrove District Council, Hereford and Worcester Fire Authority, West Mercia police and the Primary Care Trust, involved in delivering the plans.

They follow a district council report that revealed the current state of the town centre is the main source of dissatisfaction for residents, visitors and traders.' As we exclusively reported last week the redundant Parkside school is earmarked for a new police and fire station as part of the overall 'vision' both councils and their partner agencies are working to develop and deliver.

The aim is to significantly regenerate the retail and economic life of the town by summer 2013.

The project will be delivered in four phases. The first is the Parkside project. The sale of half the site for a new health centre will realise about £2m. The remainder will be sold to the two emergency services for the same amount.

The second phase addresses the replacement of the Dolphin Centre.

The third, as we also revealed last week, proposes a new combined county/district and Department of Work and Pensions office, contact centre and library, probably in School Drive.

Phase four would see the redevelopment of existing properties, half owned by the county, to the north of Recreation Road.

The Tory leader of the county council, Cllr Dr George Lord from Marlbrook said: "This is an exciting time for the people of Bromsgrove, but we have to make sure any regeneration has economic development at its heart and this will require major investment."

His opposite number on Bromsgrove council, Cllr Roger Hollingworth, added: "People regularly tell me how dissatisfied they are with the town centre and this is why the district council has made it one of its priorities and will be working with partners to build a better Bromsgrove for everyone.