What does the sale mean for Billingham Town Centre? The terms of the sale ensure that the top priorities (excluding 'increasing the number of shops') highlighted by Billingham residents and businesses in recent consultation exercises (refer to consultation tab on the left) will be addressed in future regeneration plans for the Town Centre. Halladale are to work with the Council to use reasonable endeavours to secure a regeneration scheme which will include: - The construction of a new supermarket
- Incorporation of cafes and restaurants.
- Extension to the range of shops.
- Improvements to the quality of the shops.
- New and better public toilets.
- Secure car parking.
- Play facilities including pre-school and a teenage village.
- Inclusion of attractive landscaping including flooring, seating and lighting.
- Measures to tackle the problems from pests/pigeons.
Halladale have already spent £32 million acquiring the Town Centre and will plough more money into the Town Centre in order to regenerate it. This could result in the Town Centre boasting a mix of independent outlets and larger, national retailers in order to offer the best retailing experience to residents and visitors. Who are Halladale? Halladale are a national developer with widespread and relevant experience across the country in both new retail development and refurbishment of existing town / shopping centres. The Council has been working with Halladale since 2004 and they have already spent considerable time and money on market research and feasibility work to develop preliminary options for Billingham Town Centre; they are very familiar with the strengths and weaknesses the town centre has to offer. Halladale is committed to working with the Council and Billingham residents and businesses to improve the town centre offer and to improve retail performance. In February 2007 the Halladale Group plc was acquired by Stockland UK Development Ltd. This however did not affect the sale of the Town Centre and will not adversely affect any regeneration plans. Halladale are now officially known as Halladale Stockland. For further information about Halladale and to view their profile please see: www.stockland.com.au/halladale Are the Council putting any money into the town centre development? In order to support a regeneration scheme which properly addresses the public redevelopment priorities noted in the 2005 consultation a significant contribution has been approved to be made available to Halladale towards the provision of the improvements Will you be consulting with the public regarding design? Following on from the 2005 public consultation and in order to secure a regeneration scheme which properly addresses the public redevelopment priorities noted in the 2005 consultation the Council will be consulting with the public regarding public realm design including: a) General Concepts of the Scheme - carefully considered so it forms a robust, coherent unit within the public realm masterplan. b) Environmental Aspects of the Town Centre including attractive landscaping and planting; seating and signage; lighting and paving; and will include consideration to the provision of artwork and play facilities What are the timescales for the development? The Council and Halladale will be entering into detailed discussions regarding the design aspects from autumn 2007. Depending on the progress of these discussions it is anticipated that the Council will be able to commence public consultation regarding the public realm design in autumn 2008. The outcome of the consultation will then have to be incorporated into Halladale's Masterplan. On completion of the Masterplan, Halladale will then need to seek planning permission for the preferred scheme. Although commencement of the regeneration works is dependant on all these things it is anticipated that works will commence in 2009 and be compete by 2013. |
