Scheme to inject new life into site

6:00pm Wednesday 20th August 2008

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By Charlie Crabtree »

PLANS have been submitted for a major redevelopment in Stourport, including 159 properties, along with retail, employment, hotel, assembly and leisure facilities.

The application for outline planning permission is focused on an area of about 3.2 hectares in the southern section of the former Carpets of Worth site in Severn Road.

It follows a recently successful application for the development of a Tesco food superstore on the northern part of the site.

The proposals also involve associated public space works, landscaping and car parking, along with the refurbishment and retention of three locally listed buildings.

The 159 properties break down to 65 single family homes and 94 apartments, while the mixed-use commercial element would comprise about 3,300 sq m.

London-based applicant, Arab Investments, has agreed to provide affordable housing as part of the development and discussions are underway towards deciding additional planning obligations. In its application it states: “The proposals will provide a range of planning benefits, including the redevelopment of a vacant and derelict brownfield site providing a mix of uses.

“These will contribute to the range of residential and employment possibilities found in Stourport.”

It adds the development would use the latest “green” technologies while careful consideration would be given to nature conservation, ecology and issues of flood risk.

A consultation statement issued by Indigo Public Affairs as part of the application said the main concern raised by local people was the effect the development might have on traffic flow.

Conservative Stourport town councillor, David Little, said that 159 more properties could mean anywhere up to 300 extra cars on the road.

He added that the mixed use of the site was a positive step but said as much space as possible should be allocated for light industry.

He explained: “If we are not careful, Stourport will become a dormitory town. People will live here but have to travel to work somewhere else.”

Independent Health Concern Wyre Forest district councillor, Brian Glass, said any sheltered and affordable housing should be let locally and not open to people from outside the district.

A transport assessment by Ove Arup & Partners concluded that the effect of additional traffic would be “negligible” when compared to the results of a previous testing scheme.