Stafford Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council and LCR, the government’s placemaking and regeneration expert, have launched the Stafford Station Gateway masterplan, aimed at revitalising underutilised brownfield land around the railway station.
The masterplan includes the development of more than 900 homes, 20,000 sq ft of commercial space, a hotel, multistorey car park and leisure, retail and food and beverage concepts.
The project would see the Station Gateway become a thriving, active community, boosted by the town’s location at the heart of the proposed HS2 route.
With HS2 expected to cut travel time to London to 53 minutes, Stafford will become a major new transport hub, and the masterplan sets in place the amenities to maximise the opportunities arising.
Local people and businesses are being asked to give their views on the major development, with consultation beginning today (18 August) and lasting for six weeks.
Once all community feedback has been factored into the plans, the masterplan will be submitted to the council for final approval. The search for development partners to deliver the proposals will follow council approval of the plans.
Nick Smithson, senior development manager at LCR, said: “As a town with a proud and rich history, Stafford has witnessed its fair share of transformations over the years. The exciting masterplan for the Station Gateway represents another positive evolution as the town cements its place as a key hub in the Midlands.
“Delivering high-quality housing and the amenities to match is one of the core mandates of levelling up, and the masterplan highlights the untapped opportunity that exists on land around our railway stations, which is typically unloved, underdeveloped and perceived as too difficult to transform.
“The crucial next step will be ensuring that the masterplan is ultimately adopted and owned by the community. This summer is all about collaboration with local people and working with them to ensure that Stafford Station Gateway reaches its full potential and becomes a much-loved destination.”
Frances Beatty, cabinet member for economic development and planning, said: “Growth and prosperity for our borough is a key priority for the council, and we have attracted huge investment to our area working closely with our partners. The financial backing we have received is testament to the confidence that government has in us to deliver major developments such as the Stafford Station Gateway project.
“This underutilised area will see the birth of a new community, with quality homes where people will want to live, alongside a business-friendly environment and leisure facilities, sitting on the doorstep of our station, which will be an enormous attraction to potential investors. The Station Gateway scheme is yet another piece in the jigsaw of transforming the heart of Stafford.
“We are now asking our residents, businesses, community groups and organisations to get involved in the consultation and give us their views to feed into this project and help draw up a masterplan for a development we can all be proud of.”
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