Redevelopment Proposals for Town Centre Sites Submitted

Proposals have been lodged for the transformation of two brownfield locations situated in the town centre of Staffordshire. The developer, Capital & Centric, stated its intention to revitalize the unoccupied Ryecroft site in Newcastle-under-Lyme, alongside York Place, the town’s shopping centre constructed in the 1960s. According to these proposals, the shopping centre is slated for a renaming to Astley Place, and the Ryecroft site will be designated Rye Park. Should these plans gain approval, Astley Place is projected to feature new residential units, retail outlets, and a new music venue, whereas Rye Park is planned to incorporate a combination of family residences and apartments. These two planning applications come after a submission made the previous month concerning the redevelopment of the Midway car park within the town. This car park has been designated for 114 new homes and contributes to Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council’s broader objectives to redesign the town centre’s configuration. If authorization is granted, the former York Place shopping centre will be converted into 52 new apartments. Its new designation serves as an homage to Philip Astley, the founder of the modern circus, who was born in the town in 1742. Concurrently, the Ryecroft site is envisioned to comprise 171 family homes and apartments, offering three and four bedrooms, along with a new green area intended for community utilization. The comprehensive plans have received partial financial backing through a £35m investment originating from the government’s Future High Street and Town Deal funds. John Moffat, joint managing director at Capital & Centric, stated: “All together these three sites show a real ambition by the council to revitalise the town centre and create something that the town can be proud of.” He added: “In the same way that we’re revamping Midway car park, our plans for Astley Place will retain and repurpose the existing buildings, stripping them back to their bare bones and revealing their charm.” Council Leader Simon Tagg expressed satisfaction that the local authority had successfully secured the necessary government investment to reshape Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre. He remarked: “This is a fantastic opportunity to secure the town centre’s long-term future and success, and I can’t wait to see Capital & Centric’s work unfold.” The company has a history of executing award-winning projects, including Kampus and Crusader, located in Manchester city centre. Furthermore, its founders, Tim Heatley and Adam Higgins, have made appearances in television programs such as Channel 4’s Big Interiors Battle and the BBC’s Manctopia. For updates, follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X, and Instagram. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding its approach to external linking is available.