Stafford Borough Council’s Cabinet have approved the new plans for Westbridge Park.
The plans, which were revealed on 3rd December, include new play areas and a leisure centre, as well as an M&S Simply Food store. Full details HERE. They were approved by the borough council’s ruling Cabinet at their meeting last week, on 11th December.
The borough council says it has listened to local people’s concerns from last year’s consultation on their original plans, which included a 30,000 sq ft food store to help pay for improved leisure facilities at the park. Its new plan features an 11,000 sq ft M&S Simply Foods store which would be located at the site of the current tennis courts.
The £6 million scheme – partly funded by Marks & Spencer buying the land from the council for their store but with significant investment from the borough council – would see a new leisure centre with six-lane swimming pool along with children’s play area and youth facilities on the park. The scheme could also include a new sports hall and 3g artificial soccer pitch at Alleyne’s Academy, as well as improved football pitches at Walton Common.
Borough council leader Mike Heenan said: “It is a major investment, the biggest investment this council has made in leisure. The development is on a scale that should not worry anyone. Marks & Spencer will be well received, I think. I am very confident this is the best the council can do for this area.”
Local people will be able to give their views as part of the planning process. A planning application is expected in 2015.
The new plans have been warmly welcomed by many people in the town, including hundreds on our Facebook page. The Keep Westbridge Park Green campaign group has expressed its mixed feelings about the scheme, welcoming the retention of green space but reiterating their opposition to any retail development. You can see their recent statement HERE.
You can see all our coverage of the Westbridge Park issue over the last two years HERE
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