Growth Point

Growth and the Growth Point Programme

The Council recognised that Burton needed to grow if it was to prosper. There was a strong will to boost the area’s competitiveness and achieve a “step-change” in economic performance. Therefore, in 2007, East Staffordshire decided to be part of the Government “Growth points” initiative. This provides financial support to local communities who wish to pursue large-scale, sustainable growth.

In October 2009 cabinet adopted a Growth Point Programme, which defined five projects the Council would deliver over the next three years. Three years later real progress has been made on these original projects, and in August 2011, Cabinet approved a refreshed Growth Point Delivery Plan. The plan sets out how and when each project will be delivered, including governance arrangements. The chosen projects represent a cross-cutting element to East Staffordshire’s growth aspiration.

More information on each of these projects is provided here.

Dove Way Uttoxeter

The Derby Road Uttoxeter Development site is situated a small distance away from the town centre, within three major routes to the east of Uttoxeter, the A518 to the east, Dove Way passing through, and the A50 to the North.

Land to the West of Dove Way, accessed from Pennycroft Lane is owned by ESBC and currently accommodates a waste recycling centre, several employment units, and arable fields around the Pennycroft well.

Land in the North East corner of the site is also ESBC owned, currently vacant and former land fill site, with planning permission granted for employment use. There is currently no access to this site, and the Council are working closely with Clowes who own the land between the two ESBC sites. This area of land is also currently open and vacant.

Development of this site supports East Staffordshire Borough Councils aim to bring sustainable growth and prosperity to Uttoxeter by attracting potential employers and bringing new jobs and career opportunities to local people. It will provide a natural extension of the town, and provide much needed employment land, benefiting the rejuvenation of Uttoxeter, its rural hinterland, and the sub region as a whole.

A significant amount of work has been carried out on this project in 2011, culminating in an outline planning application being submitted in September.

Bargates

Bargates is located at a key gateway into Burton Town Centre, and has been identified for regeneration under the Growth Point Programme. The site enjoys attractive views over the Trent Washlands and its Floodplain; which is a predominate area of amenity land. Bargates is considered to be a site of significant strategic importance

A development scheme on this site will restore activity along the High Street and create a new active frontage to the riverside for people to enjoy. The regeneration of Bargates will significantly contribute to the overall vision for Burton Town Centre, as it develops over the next twenty years.

Carters Square Uttoxeter

Carters Square is a key site included in the Uttoxeter regeneration programme. Taylor Woodrow acquired the site in 2006, and subsequently secured a planning consent for a retail-led, mixed-use scheme, including an element of residential use.

Delivery of the Taylor Woodrow scheme was secured by a development agreement, which obliged the developer to complete the consented mixed-use scheme by October 2010. However, following a merger with George Wimpey in 2007, the newly formed Taylor Wimpey, which disposed of its commercial development business, has been unable to deliver the non-residential element of the development. They have agreed terms with a specialist developer, Lingfield, who will be legally responsible for delivering a new, viable retail development.

At the end of 2011, a new development agreement between Lingfield and the Borough Council was completed, which will see Lingfield take possession of the Council’s Carter Square car park, although it will remain a public car park, serving shoppers in the new development, as well as visitors to the Town Centre.

Precise terms are currently being kept under wraps due to a confidentiality agreement, but the timeframe should see a planning application for a revised retail development scheme at Carter Square in late spring, which should then lead to a start on site in around 12 months time. Actual construction should take less than two years.