TVT response to Westbridge Park plans on hold

Trent Vision Trust (TVT) say they will crack on with their plans to redevelop land off The Filleybrooks near Stone fire station after the borough council put its plans for Westbridge Park on hold.

TVT say their site is the best spot for a new supermarket in the town and has called on Stone Town Council and Stafford Borough Council to enter discussions. More details of their plan HERE.

Here’s the press release in full that was issued today by Trent Vision Trust…

As news breaks that development plans for Westbridge Park, Stone are on hold; the independent Trent Vision Trust (TVT); a group of local landowners and professionals are looking to move forward with their regeneration plans for the Trent and Mersey Canal and its development through to the town.

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The Westbridge Park plans, drawn up by the Council, always appeared to have drawbacks. Not only did they include the loss of leisure space and key town events, which draw thousands of visitors into Stone, but an already congested road system, would have been untenable. Experts looking at the proposals have also suggested that the small size of the proposed supermarket just wouldn’t add up when it came to bringing in the revenue needed for leisure facility upgrade. TVT would still like to see the investment of the allocated money from the Council used for the Park, otherwise where will this investment be re-directed?

“We, as TVT, have always felt there was a more suitable alternative site to Westbridge Park for a store. Our designated area will be better connected to Stone town centre via a pedestrian bridge, nature reserve and river park. The new space will encourage more visitors to the town and as research has proved; a new supermarket is not a one stop shopping destination, but one that links to other shops and increases footfall within a market town. (Revisiting the Importance of Food Stores on Market Towns and District Centres: commissioned by Tesco)” Patrick Redmond, Project Architect.

The TVT plans, which saw a majority support rate from public consultations running throughout February, look to unlock the potential of Stone as a prosperous canal town. By creating a new development on the Fillybrooks area of the town, the Trust looks to maximise green spaces, celebrate heritage, piggy-back already successful events, such as the Food & Drink Festival, and introduce sustainable economic growth.

Whilst Oliver Dyke, Trust Founder commented, “A few years ago Stafford Borough Council, Stone Town Council and the TVT (the three principal landowners in the Trent Valley) commissioned a topographical survey on the Valley and shared the thousands of pounds of costs equally. Surely, it is now time for us to re-engage and work together for town benefit.”