PLANS for the redevelopment of Bewdley town centre is due to take a major step forward in the next few weeks.

Worcestershire County Council – working in partnership with Wyre Forest District Council – has submitted a planning application to demolish Bewdley’s library, which is due to relocate to the new medical centre in Dog Lane in the next few months.

The plan – which involves the town councils swapping the library site for some of the medical centre land fronting Dog Lane – will create a new development opportunity and additional parking in Load Street, ensuring the future vitality of the town.

It follows successful talks between the county council and district council to ensure that the development of the area around Load Street car park is thought through comprehensively to achieve the best deal for the town.

The new medical centre is due to open in a few months and the district council will then take ownership of the current medical centre building as part of a land swap between the council, the GP practice and NHS England.

The additional car parking in Load Street will replace the spaces lost to the building of the new medical centre in Dog Lane. Wyre Forest District Council has already provided additional spaces by extending the bottom of the Dog Lane car park and creating extra place in the car park at Gardeners Meadow.

Councillor Tracey Onslow, cabinet member for planning and economic regeneration, said: “I am very pleased with this joined up approach which will ensure the most productive use of the limited redevelopment potential in the heart of Bewdley.

“Residents of Bewdley quite rightly expect that the district and county councils should work together for the good of the town rather than progress piecemeal developments on adjoining sites.”

It is expected that the planning application will be considered by Wyre Forest District Council in August at the earliest.