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Morpeth plans progress

Back Riggs and Sanderson’s Arcade plans progress

Back Riggs and Sanderson’s Arcade plans progress

21 December 2005

Further drawings of how the Sanderson’s Arcade and Back Riggs Shopping Centre in Morpeth could look after redevelopment were unveiled at last week’s full council meeting at Longhirst Hall.

Councillors were shown how the dark and narrow walkways in Sanderson’s Arcade could be transformed into a wide arcade, providing a single route from Back Riggs through to Bridge Street. This proposal would retain the historic Sanderson’s building frontage and create an Edwardian gallery.

The single route would help draw customers from Morrisons into the town, encouraging linked shopping trips which would boost the vitality of Morpeth and recapture trade leakage.

Responding to questions about public safety, developers Dransfield Properties explained how the development would be well lit, protected by CCTV and meet Secured by Design standards set by the police.

The presentation to Castle Morpeth Borough Councillors was the latest in a series of consultation meetings held in the town, since Dransfield Properties were brought in to lead the redevelopment of the shopping centre in September.  Feedback from consultation is being used in every aspect of the design process, and will ensure that when a planning application is submitted, it will be for a scheme which has been driven by the views of the local community.

Consultation is still ongoing and it is expected that a full planning application will be submitted in March and if approved, work could begin in November next year.

Mark Dransfield, Managing Director of Dransfield Properties, said:  “We’re really excited about this project and look forward to continuing to work with the local community to deliver a centre which Morpeth can be proud of.”

For further information, contact:

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