Appendix 5 – Generic Kidderminster Town Centre Responses by Save Habberley Green Belt Respondents

Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications to the Wyre Forest Local Plan (2016 – 2036) (ED57)

Object

MM30.6

No

No

No

Response re Kidderminster Town Centre

Is Kidderminster on the Cusp of making a £20.5 million Mistake with Proposed Lion Fields Redevelopment?

MM30.6 Policy 30.5 Land at Bromsgrove Street Lion Fields BH/2

The Main Modification to proposed policy 30.5 would mean that it reads as follows:

"This site is allocated for a mix of residential and commercial development which is expected to deliver the following:

1. On the former Glades site a cinema and a leisure complex with ancillary food and drink together with car parking

2. The former Magistrates' Court building and indoor market refurbishment and conversion to a Creative Hub for businesses in the digital and creative industries sectors

3. Acquisition and demolition of properties at northern end of Worcester Street to improve connectivity from the town centre into Lion Fields

4. Rationalisation of existing car parking on Bromsgrove Street to release land for mixed use development including residential (both C3 and C2)"

The remaining bullet points relate to design etc.

For the reasons set out below we object to Main Modification 30.6:

Bullet Point 1: Former Glades Site Proposal to build cinema and new leisure centre

Kidderminster already has a new Leisure Centre and we doubt that it needs a second one. Viewing of movies has very largely changed over the past five years and this change has been accelerated by the Covid crisis People have in large numbers made contracts with movie streaming companies and view movies in their own homes. This trend seems to us to be highly unlikely to be reversed. On the contrary, by the time any cinema were to be functioning, given that the project is only to start in 2026, audiences will have further evaporated. The Reel cinema closed in 2020 after struggling financially for some time. Our view is that the former Glades site should be developed forthwith into housing at a density appropriate to town centre living (minimum 70 per hectare). Dwellings in this central location would have the great advantage of proximity to existing infrastructure. That the former Health Centre is not proposed to be redeveloped as part of this plan is a major drawback. The building has little architectural merit, is energy inefficient and towards the end of its useful life (these problems identified in a report in 20122 and one of the justifications for relocation of GP services to the present new building). Current services could probably be relocated to the Bewdley Road Hospital site. We suggest that negotiations should be held with NHS Property Company. This would allow much more residential provision on this valuable site.

The proposal to extend Lion Street across at the site of the former Woolworths building to Worcester Street seems to us superfluous. It is only a short walk around and the land would be better used for further dwellings.

Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications to the Wyre Forest Local Plan (2016 – 2036) (ED57)

Object

30.6

No

No

No

Bullet Point 2: Former Magistrates Court Building

Prior to the Main Modification, the Magistrates Court building was to be considered for conversion for a mixed residential/commercial scheme. However, the Main Modification has deleted that and proposes its "refurbishment and conversion into a creative hub for businesses in the digital and creative industries sectors."

We do not consider that there is any evidence that this type of space is needed and will be used. Space for exhibitions is already available in the Carpet Museum. Kidderminster has plenty of empty offices. Digital industries now tend to work from home and surely if they need creative space are in a position to fund and build for themselves. Similarly, where is the evidence for "creative industries" wanting to relocate here (and pay rental)? The development that we know for sure is needed (evidenced by the Council's own housing needs analysis) is simply housing. A promotional video state the former manufacturing area to be half an acre.

It has been shown that buildings on brownfield sites close to urban centres reduce distance travelled by up to 52% and fuel consumption and resulting environmental cost by 66%. We are, after all, in a declared climate emergency. Against this backdrop, the argument for provision of very significant provision of appropriate dwellings in the town centre becomes even more compelling. 

Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications to the Wyre Forest Local Plan (2016 – 2036) (ED57)

Object

30.6

No

No

No

Bullet Point 4: the rationalisation of existing car parking on Bromsgrove Street to release land for mixed use development including residential (both C3 and C2)

The area currently used as a surface car park in Bromsgrove Street was formerly tightly packed housing. We feel that most if not all of this area should be returned to residential use, and therefore consider that this part of the Main Modification to be sensible and appropriate. 

Schedule of Proposed Main Modifications to the Wyre Forest Local Plan (2016 – 2036) (ED57)

Object

30.7

No

No

No

Policy 30.6 Timber Yard Park Lane

The Main Modification means that this land is allocated for residential development of 100 dwellings to come forward between 2026 and 2031.

We totally agree that this site should be used for town centre housing at densities appropriate to town centre living. However, we see no reason why the site should not be allocated and available for development as soon as the plan is adopted, and not delayed until 2026. The Government's clear intention is for Brownfield First, that was evident in the Prime Minister's speech to the 2021 Conservative Party Conference, when he confirmed the Government's commitment to "build the homes that young families need... not on green fields ... but beautiful homes on brownfield sites in places where homes make sense." 

I, the Undersigned, agree with and support the statements made within this section labelled "Response re Kidderminster Town Centre". I agree that priority should be given to housing in the Town Centre and that these Brownfield Developments should be prioritised.