Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Background

Thornaby Town Centre - pre redevelopment works

The District Centre was owned by the Council and consisted of 75 retail units in Appleby, Brus, Wrightson, Yorkshire and Meynell Houses. There were also 30 residential units on the second floor of Appleby and Brus Houses, a library, leisure centre, bowls rink, 350 space car park, and an area of open public space - 'St Peter's Square'. Asda is situated at one end of the town centre with its own 410 space car park. A local market trades in Thornaby every Thursday and Saturday.

Why was change needed?

Thornaby Town Centre was constructed in 1968, when it was a vibrant hub providing retail, office, leisure and residential accommodation captured by cutting edge design and architecture of the day. Unfortunately it has been experiencing major physical, economic and social decline for over 10 years. The buildings and surrounding public realm are generally in poor condition and of deteriorating quality, having reached the end of their economic life. This created an impression of neglect which was compounded by the high levels of vacancy in the Centre most notably in Appleby and Brus Houses, which caused the Council considerable concern.

This was heightened by the fact that the Centre failed to provide the type, and size of units needed to attract contemporary retailers, maintain their presence and revitalise the Centre. The housing, predominantly Council owned, had also been causing concern due to signs of major physical decay.

Redevelopment History

The Council has been committed to regenerating Thornaby District Centre for over ten years. Consultant property advisers were appointed in 1998 and recommended to the Council that the most appropriate way forward was to offer the Centre to the market on a long leasehold disposal for a capital sum in exchange for an agreed redevelopment package.

In April 1999, preferred developers WD Limited were selected to refurbish the District Centre. Following two rounds of public consultation on the proposed scheme and significant negotiations, WD Ltd revised and reduced their offer to such an extent that the Thornaby Regeneration Partnership Board (made up from representatives from public, private and voluntary sectors of the community),recommended that the offer by WD Ltd should be rejected. This was accepted by the Council in October 2000, and a revised development brief was produced in 2001 to re-market Thornaby District Centre for redevelopment. This time the brief encouraged the demolition of Appleby and Brus House maisonettes to form part of the scheme, after consultation showed that the majority of residents were in favour of moving out.

In October 2002 Thornaby Regeneration Partnership Board considered that Thornfield's scheme, which incorporated the demolition of Appleby and Brus House maisonettes and commercial units, offered the best solution to secure the long-term future of the District Centre. This was approved by Cabinet and Thornfield Properties Plc was officially appointed as the preferred developer on 24th October 2002. After extensive consultation planning permission was granted for the proposed scheme on the 25th August 2004.