Programme 2008-2010
Development
Improve the business mix and regeneration in the town centre, by encouraging greater development and investment.
The town centre plays a key role in the economic regeneration of the District. It offers the opportunity to create jobs in growth sectors, providing better services for local people and attracting more visitors. The partnership seeks to diversify the town centre by encouraging investment in the retail, office, leisure, and residential sectors.
The partnership takes an extremely pro-active stance in bringing forward new development opportunities and in seeking funding to carry out improvements to the town centre. A number of major developments are either underway or in development and significant amounts of external funding have been secured.
Major development sites include the following:
A
The White Hart St / Church St area is being developed with a conservation-based
approach involving the refurbishment of historic buildings, new development and public
realm works.
B
The Stockwell Gate North and Stockwell Gate South developments will transform an
extensive area on the western side of Mansfield Town Centre. The development includes:
a new transport interchange (by building a new bus station adjacent to the railway
station), two major retail /mixed use developments with parking, and the ‘Arrival Square’
office development.
C
The Old Town Hall development involves the refurbishment of the Grade 2 Star Listed
section, retaining the attractive historic frontage to the market place, and a new
development on the site of the former indoor market, fronting Queen Street.
D
The former Mansfield Brewery site on the southern edge of the town centre has planning
permission for modern office blocks, manufacturing space and a hotel. However,
ownership of this site, and developer involvement needs stability to progress further.
Funding was secured to demolish the site in Spring 2008.
E
The former Mansfield General Hospital site has planning permission for residential use.
Achievements
A
In the White Hart development area, Townscape Heritage Initiative grants enabled refurbishment of several properties on Dame Flogan Street and Market Street. Streetscape paving and lighting works were completed on Church Street. The Maltings (ex Village night club) was acquired for redevelopment. Supplementary Planning Document guidance was produced for the White Hart development area.
B
In the Stockwell Gate development area, the ex-Courtaulds building was demolished, the site cleared for use a temporary car park, and Station Rd car park was levelled. Government funding and local planning permission was granted for the transport interchange to be ready 2009/2010. Work commenced on the Arrival Square office development. Tesco vacated the Stockwell Gate premises. Outline Planning permission was granted for mixed use at the ex-Courtaulds site, and Interim Planning Guidance notes were agreed for north and south sites.
C
The Old Town Hall building reopened for use as temporary offices for Town Centre Management & Town Centre Operations, in August 2007, pending redevelopment.
D
The Market Place £1.6 million refurbishment was completed in May 2006 with new paving, lighting, street furniture, market stalls, fountains, and a new Events area. The Bentinck Memorial was cleaned and the stone lions restored.
E
At the ex-Shoe Co site, planning permission was granted for ground floor commercial (non-retail) and upper floor residential use.
F
Three new pieces of Liveability-funded public art have been installed after public consultation: Church St “Amphitheatre” sculpture installed Feb 2007, Quaker Way “High Heels” installed June 2007, and West Gate “A Spire” installed Summer 2007.
G
A Town Centre Economic Regeneration Framework consultation event with stakeholders was held, in April and June 06 and the report presented July 2007.
H
An Interim Planning Guidance document was adopted for the Brewery site in March 2008.
I
Mansfield successfully bid to participate in the East Midlands Business Improvement District Academy, and independent consultants recommended that Mansfield should find funding to progress a Business Improvement District for the town centre.
Current Projects
J
The Four Seasons Shopping Centre has submitted plans for a refurbishment including a glass atrium and improved public entrances.
K
The Local Development Framework is being produced for the District and will include a town centre section.
L
Business Improvement District (BID) – find funding to move a Mansfield BID to next stage.
M
White Hart St/Church St area - Developer Highgrange Homes has acquired land to develop a section of the area.
N
Transport Interchange - Due to open 2010. Final decision awaited over appearance of bridge.
O
Stockwell Gate Development - specialist Retail Property consultancy advice procured to advise redevelopment options.
P
Arrival Square Office Development - Work ongoing. Completion expected Summer 2008.
Q
Old Town Hall Block - Alterations to accommodate Town Centre Management and Town Centre Operations new offices progressing. Feasibility work ongoing re redevelopment of rear of building (Queen St) in conjunction with Notts County Council. Demolition delayed pending discussions with English Heritage.
R
New Hotel - Midland hotel has planning permission for redevelopment.
S
Strategic car parking provision – a detailed feasibility is underway to provide 250 space car park by 2011. Approved by MDC but funding still required. Interim Planning Guidance document re car parking being produced.
T
Public Art - Interpretation boards to be installed at all three sites.
U
Brewery Site - Demolition commenced April 2008.
V
Town Centre Visioning document - Design company appointed April 2008 to produce document.
W
Bridge St/Midworth St/Churchside - consultation and implementation of traffic calming, public realm enhancement and on-street parking scheme to support trading in secondary town centre locations.
X
Field Mill Quarter - Interim Planning Guidance document being drafted and study being undertaken.
Y
Riverside Study - EMDA funding agreed for Waterway study (Lime Tree Place/Church Lane/Rock Valley). Procuring consultant.
Z
General Hospital site - awaiting owner/ developer agreement.
Z1
On the edge of the town centre (A38) new health care facilities will be provided in a major development of the old Community Hospital.
Future projects
Z2
Attracting a good mix of major retailers, and speciality shopping/food and drink outlets to the various new developments.
Z3
Encouraging the development of a large modern town centre hotel.