Flemingate scheme to transform town
A £120m regeneration scheme, which has been given the go-ahead for Beverley, has been hailed as a "once-in-a- lifetime opportunity" for the town.
The development proposed for a 17-acre former factory and museum site near Beverley Minster has now been approved by the Government, as first reported on the Mail's website yesterday.
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Beverley is set for a £120m regeneration scheme
The scheme, which would create about 640 jobs, would include shops, restaurants, a hotel, cinema, homes, offices and a new college.
East Riding Council had approved the plans, but they had to be referred to the Government, which held a public inquiry because of the scale of the scheme.
Council leader Councillor Stephen Parnaby has welcomed the final go-ahead. He said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to regenerate an important part of Beverley close to the Minster and the development is set to change the face of the town for future generations."
The consortium behind the scheme – Wykeland Group, CP Group and Quintain Estates and Development Plc – is now working on an application for detailed planning consent that will lead to the first phase of construction.
A spokesman said: "After over four years working with the many people in Beverley who want to see this brownfield site transformed, we are delighted to receive this positive decision from the Secretary of State."
A £23m new campus for East Riding College had been earmarked as the first phase of development.
But a funding blow from the Learning and Skills Council, which was unable to confirm a £12m grant, has caused a setback for this scheme.
The college's director of resources John Doris said: "The original 2011 date for opening a new college on the Flemingate site will be put back a year or two, but we remain committed to delivering new vocational facilities following on from the new campus recently opened in Bridlington.
"The decision to grant outline planning permission now enables us to reconsider the details of our plans."
Beverley and District Chamber of Trade chairman Phil Guest insists the shop plans must not threaten the town centre.
He said: "It's very important that all the details of the scheme are fully examined because it is such a big scheme for Beverley.
"The aesthetics of the scheme are also important, we don't want to look like Milton Keynes."
5 Comments
by Charles, Cott
Saturday, September 26 2009, 10:55PM
“One thing is certain you can't leave it like it is. The traffic problem will have to be solved or the plan will grind to a hideous gridlock affecting the ancient centre where the rich people go. If they can't get their 4x4s into Saturday Market they don't like it one little bit.”
by Richard Snowley, Mill View Road
Saturday, September 26 2009, 8:46PM
“Seeing this area of my local town redeveloped to make the town great again is excellent. As has already been said, lets have proper park and ride etc. so Flemingate traffic doesn't get even worse!”
by LEE, Anlaby
Saturday, September 26 2009, 7:44AM
“After working for Beverley Borough Council and then the ERYC I have spent most of my working life in and around Beverley and agre with Mr M that this side of Town has slowly had the life drained out of it and Beverley has seen ssome of its major employers move away. This will bring Beverley in to the 21st Century and modernise a run down area which is crying out for regeneration. Not forgetting giving some of the unemployed local people a much needed job which again will bring money into the Town. Your right about the parking, but this is down to the planners to put forward the right plans aand the council to make sure that all residential propeerties have off street parking. That the new collage has the right parking and perhaps making some of the new traffic system one way. Utilising the open spaces, that will have to be provided, correctly. All I can say is new jobs, new money, new open spaces and sympathetic building designs can only be a good thing for Beverley. Lee”
by Mr M, bev
Friday, September 25 2009, 11:19PM
“I am so happy this redevelopment is happening.
I¿m a true blood beverlonian and I¿ve seen this part of town whither and die ¿ for me, it¿s briliiant to see it be redeveloped and come to light.
Too many people (karon) move to the town and want it to stay dormant. When in reality, it¿s always been a forward thinking town and should progress as such.”
by Karen, Beverley
Friday, September 25 2009, 6:22PM
“The roads are so quiet and peaceful in that part of town, and it will be able to absorb a new college, shops etc without any traffic congestion, parking issues. Right?”