RESIDENTS can now have their say on long-awaited plans to redevelop a major gateway into Stratford town centre.
The draft Stratford Gateway Masterplan has been approved by members of Stratford District Council’s Cabinet and the next step is for it to go out to public consultation.
The six week consultation runs until 5pm on Friday December 1.
The ambitious masterplan, which aims to rejuvenate the “underwhelming’ northwest gateway into the town to give visitors a sense of arrival, includes plans for a World Shakespeare Centre to boost tourism and the town’s status as the “pre-eminent destination” for celebrating the life and works of the Bard.
Other proposals include cafes, shops, educational facilities and residential properties.
The site, which has been in much need of regeneration for over a decade, is bounded by Birmingham Road to the northeast, Arden Street to the northwest, and Windsor Street to the southeast and occupies a ‘transitional zone’ between the historic core of the town, and more recent peripheral expansion consisting of employment and commercial buildings.
The area, of just over a hectare, is currently predominantly used for parking including a multi-storey car park and a coach park.
According to the masterplan, the aim is to to improve the sense of arrival into the town, and create a high-quality urban gateway
with safe and attractive routes between the town centre and the emerging Canal Quarter, which is also currently under development.
SDC planning spokesperson Coun George Cowcher said: “This is a key site in Stratford and hopefully working with The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust we can create a new part of the town which is a credit to local people and a first class addition to our international Shakespeare offer.”
Comments can be submitted electronically at www.stratford.gov.uk/gatewayspd, by email to [email protected] or by post to Planning Policy, Stratford District Council, Elizabeth House, Church Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, CV37 6HX.
SDC is also hosting two drop-in sessions at Stratford Library where officers will be available to answer questions on Thursday (October 26) from 1pm to 5pm and Saturday November 4 from 11am to 2pm.
Once the public consultation has been completed, comments made to it will be assessed and presented to the Cabinet along with a final draft of the masterplan for approval. This is likely to be in early 2024.
