BROMSGROVE planning officers will recommend the application for development of a community pavilion and four-storey commercial building at the Old Market Hall site is granted.
A decision on the application – which aims to transform the site into a community and commercial complex including offices, shops, food and beverage venues and an open public space – will be made at a Bromsgrove District Council meeting on Monday, February 19.
The proposals have been submitted by architecture firm One Creative Environments on behalf of the council.
When the plans were unveiled, residents expressed mixed feelings on the development with fears the site would fail to attract office tenants due to a lack of parking provision within the plans, a distance of 1.4 miles to Bromsgrove railway station and high traffic congestion in the town centre.
The Highways Authority have issued no objections to the proposals subject to conditions. These include implementation of an employment travel plan and distribution of an employment travel welcome pack to new employees to reduce vehicle movements and promote sustainable access to the site.
The creation of a construction environmental management plan has also been made essential by the authority to reduce impacts resulting from the development including the dirtying of nearby roads, traffic management, and parking and other site facilities.
Because the proposals aim to be a ‘car free’ site, the authority feel the completed development will not increase congestion whilst an increase in cycle parking provision and strong existing pedestrian access will mitigate an increase in travellers into the town centre.
North Worcestershire Water Management have established both small and high flood risks associated with the site as a result of its location with flood zones one and three in relation to Spadesbourne Brook which runs through the development and is proposed to be ‘daylighted’.
A well-considered objection to the development came from resident Mr Troy Kidsley, whose comments have been backed by the Bromsgrove Society.
The objections surrounded the height of the development which could impose on existing elevations around town, while the cladding material proposed for the facade was also a sticking point.
The cladding material is at risk of becoming stained around windows and doors if not properly maintained at an extra cost.
Visit https://publicaccess.bromsgroveandredditch.gov.uk/online-applications/ and search 23/01121/FUL for more information.
