Council selects local development partnership for Stouport site

Wyre Forest District Council and its partners the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and British Waterways are pleased to announce that they have selected a developer for the former Lloyd’s Garage Bridge Street site in Stourport-on-Severn.

A local partnership of Clive Fletcher Developments in conjunction with construction company Thomas Vale will develop the site, whose purchased was jointly funded by the Council and HCA as part of their Economic Assets Programme.

The appointment was made following a competitive European procurement process managed by the Council.  Local entrepreneur Clive Fletcher, who has a number of landownership interests in the district, backed by Thomas Vale from Stourport-on-Severn, were awarded the contract with their mixed commercial and residential scheme.

The project, which is part of the Council’s ReWyre regeneration initiative, is for an exciting new pedestrian gateway to the canal basins area from Bridge Street.  This will enhance the leisure offer of Stourport-on-Severn, linking the popular Riverside Meadows area across Bridge Street through to the historic basins area, which has won heritage awards since British Waterways implemented Heritage Lottery funded environmental improvements to the area.

The gateway will also present a mixture of commercial retail and residential units which will add to the appeal of the market town.

Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor John Campion, said,

“The Council and its partners have been working closely for some time now to bring forward this boost to the local Stourport economy that will increase its attraction as a visitor destination by making use of one of its heritage assets, the canal basins. At present few visitors get to experience the basins area as it is cut off from the main town, this development opportunity will open up pedestrian access to the historic core as well as attracting some new businesses to the town and providing some new homes. I’m particularly pleased that the local developer partnership will also see more local employment being used during the construction which is another benefit.”

Stuart Buckley, Development Manager for the HCA Midlands said,

 “We are pleased to have appointed Clive Fletcher Developments and Thomas Vale to develop this site, which will reconnect Stourport.  This scheme will enhance the commercial and leisure offer for the town and provide a high quality canalside scheme. It will create demand for homes and jobs and boost local economic growth.” 

Partners are now completing the Development Agreement and it is anticipated that a planning application, which will reveal the proposed scheme publicly, will be made in Spring next year.    

Date of issue - 15th December 2011