PLANS have been mooted for a flexible market hall space on the site of the former Bridge Street temporary car park in Stourport-on-Severn.
But Stourport Civic Society has claimed these plans were ‘unviable’ and urged the council to temporarily reopen the car park.
The plans, which aim to revitalise the area, will go before Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet next week.
The concept is to deliver a redevelopment scheme linking the historic basins to the town centre, improving road safety, enhancing the conservation area, and creating new jobs.
Proposals for a single-storey flexible market hall space – as part of the vision for the Bridge Street development – are included in a report outlining the authority’s Medium Term Financial Strategy.
Coun Dan Morehead, Cabinet Member for Economic Regeneration, Planning and the Green Agenda, said the proposals reflected the council’s and community’s ambition to shape the site’s future and formed part of a broader vision to redevelop the area.
“It would create a stronger link between Stourport’s town centre and its historic canal basins, which will support tourism and local businesses.
“This proposed development presents a great opportunity for artisan food and drink makers to contribute to an exciting new destination venue for residents and visitors to enjoy.
“It would feature lots of natural light with high-end finishes, and a view over the historic basins.
“Our vision is to deliver a high-quality scheme that enhances the town’s unique setting, particularly around the canal basins.”
The proposed development would be funded and progressed by Wyre Forest District Council.
It is one of three major capital projects being put forward by the council’s Cabinet in its Medium-Term Financial Strategy report.
Stourport Civic Society had secured the key town centre site’s listing as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).
But in September, it announced it would not be submitting a bid for Bridge Street on the grounds of financial viability and lack of information.
Andrew Booton, Chairman of Stourport Civic Society, said the group welcomed the announcement on the Bridge Street Car Park site as it confirmed the council had listened to the people of Stourport and acknowledged the strong public interest in this site’s regeneration.
However, he claimed the civic society’s detailed research into the site’s commercial and operational viability over the past 14 months confirmed a single-storey market hall would not be viable on the site.
He added: “We need something more urgent and more definite.
“We have requested a meeting with the district council, Stourport Town Council, Canal and River Trust, Stourport Civic Society, and Stourport Forward to present all our findings and deductions on the redevelopment so they can start to understand what will and won’t work.
“Meanwhile, we urge Wyre Forest District Council to reopen the car park so that they can generate an income from the site while helping the people and businesses of Stourport.”
The cabinet meeting will take place at 6pm on Tuesday, November 11.
Visit www.wyreforestdc.gov.uk to watch the meeting.
