Cannock Chase Council is set to begin delivery of phase one of its ambitious multi-million-pound scheme to redevelop a key part of Cannock town centre.
The scheme, which involves the building of a new Northern Gateway to the town centre from the Ringway should receive the green light from councillors next week.
Other work includes the construction of improvements to the council’s adjacent Beecroft Car Park and the demolition of the town’s former multi-storey car park.
At the next cabinet meeting on 28 March, councillors will receive an update on the overall scheme, which is backed by £20 million from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. They will also be asked to give permission to spend an initial £9 million to progress phase one of the works.
The works, set to begin later this year, follow months of behind-the-scenes activity to develop the overall scheme, securing outline planning permission, assembling land for development, and consulting and engaging with residents and businesses.
Cannock Chase Council Leader Tony Johnson said: “I am pleased that we are now close to being able to spend nearly half of the £20 million funding allocated by the Government and will soon be able to get on and create the improved town centre in Cannock everyone deserves.
“This is an ambitious scheme, where we are working closely with Government, the county council and our partners in the community; not least to maximise the best use of the resources we have available which have been affected by inflationary pressures we all know about.”
The council says the new car park will feature a better layout, wider bays, disabled parking spaces, EV charging points, an area for bikes, trees and new signage.
The new northern gateway will include a new pedestrian crossing, the opening up of the area and a new café.
Later this year, the Council will undertake further engagement with residents and businesses in the town centre as it looks to progress phase two of Cannock town centre’s redevelopment.
