East Staffordshire Borough Council has approved plans for capital investment to be made on two projects designed to future-proof and enhance Burton Town Centre, with the regeneration of the pedestrianised area of Station Street and the enhancements to the Washlands both being approved at the extra-ordinary Full Council meeting held on Monday 16th September 2019.
The development of plans for the regeneration of the pedestrianised area of Station Street has been in progress since January 2018 in partnership with Staffordshire County Council, Amey Plc, Fira Landscape Architecture and Urban Design. The plans were first presented to the public in August 2018 and have now been approved for progression for delivery in 2020.
Cllr George Allen Deputy Leader for Regeneration and Planning Policy said: “During 2019, East Staffordshire Borough Council and Staffordshire County Council have continued to work collaboratively to fine tune the plans to allow this project to progress, and I am pleased that my colleagues at ESBC have approved to fund the project. The work will be carried out by Amey Plc under the management of Staffordshire County Council and, to avoid any disruption to businesses in the run up to Christmas, it is proposed that the work will begin in early 2020. I will be personally making contact with the businesses and residents of Station Street to explain the implementation process for the scheduled works”.
The approval of funding for the Washlands enhancement project comes on the back of the Council securing £3m of Local Growth Funding from the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, with £1m being allocated to the enhancement works.
Cllr George Allen Deputy Leader for Regeneration and Planning Policy said: “The project has been developed in collaboration with the Environment Agency alongside other partners in order to create proposals that will transform a central area of the Washlands in a way that will cement the area as a key visitor attraction for the town. Over the next few months, the Council will be undertaking a consultation exercise that will enable the public to have their say on the final designs for the project. These enhancements are part of our town centre regeneration and in my view serve as a spring board into further enhancement works on the Washlands, to make the area more accessible for the public to enjoy”.
Cllr Duncan Goodfellow, Leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council said: “Since its inception in 2017, the Burton upon Trent Regeneration Programme has focussed on improving the appeal of Burton to residents, visitors and businesses. A number of Council projects have already been completed and the Station Street and Washlands projects will continue this good work.
“Together with partners, we are committed to supporting the growth of the local economy and improving the town for future generations to enjoy. We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively and delivering these fantastic projects as they are something Burton deserves and has needed for a long time”.
Cllr Allen added: “I’m also delighted that Burton upon Trent has been selected as one of the 100 towns that will benefit from the Government’s “New Towns” fund. The Council’s regeneration programme is geared toward creating a vibrant and attractive Burton which will have a unique place in the area’s economy and be well placed to adapt to the opportunities in the future.
“This is a fantastic opportunity that will allow us to work with partners to “level up” Burton in a way we may not have been able to do before, and it is welcome news that Burton’s potential for economic growth is being recognised on a national stage. Whilst the New Town’s fund has been earmarked by the Government for use in Burton, ESBC and SCC are continuing their collaborative work and have already started to consider options for the future of the town of Uttoxeter. Plans are in the early stages at this time and more information will be made available to the public in the future”.