Green light for £400,000 scheme to complete Dawley regeneration
Telford & Wrekin Council has approved a £400,000 scheme to complete the regeneration of the centre of Dawley – which will be funded by the sale of a number of properties in the town.
The wide ranging scheme will address a number of remaining issues in the town following the successful completion of the Phoenix Academy, leisure facilities and associated highways improvements.
Original proposals for a supermarket with additional retail units on land to the rear of the derelict Lord Hill pub have been reviewed because of a lack of market coverage and consumer need.
New plans have now been drawn up for residential development as well as the following regeneration proposals to help to further revitalise this important borough town:
- Housing to be built on the former retail development site to the rear of the Lord Hill pub, with the unsightly plot to be temporarily hoarded until the site can be sold and development commences.
- Part demolition of the Lord Hill Public House to assist in connecting the existing High Street with that of the new Phoenix Academy. This will occur prior to the sale of pub for a restaurant
- Demolition of the redundant toilets following their relocation into Dawley Town Hall
- Creation of a 75 space public car park on part of the former retail development site as well as improvements to Duce Drive to alleviate illegal parking occurring during sporting events at the Phoenix.
- Public realm improvements to complement those already completed on the High Street.
- Improvements to the drainage system around the school
Councillor Charles Smith, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for Housing, Development and Borough Towns, said: “The condition of the Lord Hill has deteriorated notably during the first phase of regeneration works to the point where it now detracts from the improvement works in the High Street.
“The site that was originally intended for retail use also detracts from the completed and operational Phoenix Academy.
“There is also an issue with a lack of public parking in the vicinity which is a concern when borough wide, regional and national sporting events are scheduled at the Phoenix Academy.
“This revised scheme is intended to address all of these issues and will enhance the centre of Dawley, ensuring its long term viability.
“I very much welcome the new plans which will continue the regeneration of Dawley town centre that is already under way.”
Andy Burford, the director of Dawley Regeneration Partnership, said: “This is excellent news for Dawley – it is an imaginative scheme.
“The regeneration work that has so far taken place including the opening of the new Phoenix Academy has been fantastic but everyone felt there was clearly more to be done to make the town centre viable.
“This will go a long way to finishing the job and guaranteeing a bright future for Dawley.”
Councillor Jane Pinter, vice chairman of Great Dawley Town Council, said: “As a council, we have embraced Telford and Wrekin’s Pride in Your Community programme and I am delighted that Dawley will continue to benefit with this new regeneration scheme.”
Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet approved the regeneration scheme when it met on Thursday (JAN 29).
