Morpeth plans progress

Shopping centre plans progress

8 November 2005

Consultation on the future of Back Riggs/Sanderson Arcade is continuing, with newly appointed regeneration specialists Dransfield Properties Ltd and their joint venture partner Ethel Austin Properties holding a series of meetings with key stakeholders in the town.

Plans for the arcade have gone back to the drawing board, giving the local community the chance to shape the development.  Feedback from the consultation is being used to draw up a preliminary set of plans which will be the subject of further consultation until a scheme is produced which is widely accepted by the Morpeth community.

Architects have visited the site and met with English Heritage.  New proposals are being drawn up which will:

· Retain original features and use architecture in keeping with the character of Morpeth.
· Include a glazed atrium linking Morrisons and the bus depot to Bridge Street.
· Increase footfall through to both Bridge Street and Newgate.
· Bring new national retailers to the town, while encouraging local independent traders.
· Feature small and medium sized retail units.

It is proposed that a steering group made up of council officers, members and the development team is established to take the development forward.  All stakeholder interest groups would feed in their views to this steering group, which would co-ordinate the overall development proposal.

The first set of plans should be available shortly, and it is hoped that a detailed planning application will be submitted before Easter 2006.

Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties, said: “Consultation so far has been very encouraging, and has shown there is a commitment by all involved to adopt a partnership approach to developing the centre.

“Everybody agrees that the centre is in need of improvement, but that these improvements need to reflect Morpeth’s existing character.  Our proposals take on board all the comments received, and we look forward to presenting them to the Morpeth community in the very near future.”

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk