Bridge Street Stourport-on-Severn

Background

The Bridge Street site has long been recognised as an important opportunity within Stourport-on-Severn, due to its prominent location next to the canal basin and its close relationship with the town centre.

In 2005, Wyre Forest District Council prepared the Bridge Street Basins Link Development Brief, which provided planning guidance and set out a broad vision for the wider area. The document was adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD).

Following this, the Council made several attempts over a number of years to secure a development partner for the site. These did not move forward, mainly due to viability challenges at the time.

In 2025, the Council formally rescinded the Supplementary Planning Document, as it was no longer considered suitable or reflective of current economic, policy and market conditions. The SPD is therefore no longer relied upon and is included here for background information only.

The site was listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) on 3 December 2024, following a nomination by Stourport Civic Society. No bids were received within the statutory period, and the Council is able to give further consideration to potential future options for the site.

Considerations

Constraints and opportunities

The site has accommodated a range of uses over the years. Historically, it operated as a canal yard, providing access to the basin edge and open views across the water. As reliance on the canal system declined, the site later became a garage and, more recently, a public car park.

The proposals seek to reinforce the town’s canalside heritage by re-establishing the site as a high-quality, accessible public realm. This will improve public access to the canal, while restoring clear views of the historic canal basin.

The design proposals will demonstrate clear sensitivity to the character of the local area, acknowledging the influence of nearby heritage assets, including listed buildings, local heritage assets and the conservation area

Design development

Overall vision

The landscape framework seeks to re-establish the vital connection between Stourport-on-Severn’s historic town centre and its canal basin. The concept creates a clear and legible route that naturally draws people from Bridge Street to the waterfront, while introducing a series of distinctive spaces shaped by heritage, material character and flexible use.

By combining improved movement networks, high-quality public realm and places for gathering, trade and relaxation, the design reinforces Stourport-on-Severn’s identity as a place where streets, spaces and the basin come together to support everyday life, community activity and a renewed sense of place

Architectural detail

Building - Option 1

This option proposes a contemporary multi-purpose building, expressed as a robust metal-clad structure with a strong, rhythmic roof form. A transparent ground floor creates an active frontage, with generous glazing and a clearly defined main entrance. Internally, it provides a large, open and flexible space suitable for markets, dining, exhibitions, and community events.

Large folding doors allow the main space to open directly onto the public realm, transforming the building into a seamless indoor–outdoor venue and enabling overspill seating, pop-up trading and seasonal programming.

The proposal strengthens the connection from Bridge Street to the waterfront by framing a welcoming forecourt and creating a flexible civic space that supports everyday activities as well as larger events

Building - Option 2

This option combines a refined metal-clad upper volume with a brickwork base, helping to anchor the building within the streetscape and respond to the prevailing material character of the surrounding area. The brick plinth provides a robust street-level frontage, while the articulated, pitched form above gives the hall a distinctive identity and helps break down the overall mass.

Internally, the building is intended to provide the same large, open and flexible internal space.

The design reinforces connections between Bridge Street and the waterfront through a welcoming forecourt and a flexible civic space that supports everyday use and larger events

Next steps 

Project timeline