£200m development of Telford Town Centre welcomed

The planning application, which is one of the biggest ever to be approved by Telford & Wrekin Council, was considered by the Council’s Plans Board last night.

The proposals for Telford Town Centre are planned over a five year period and will begin with the redevelopment of the existing Asda store which will be vacated when the supermarket moves to its new location in spring 2014.

The plans for the Centre include creating new retail, catering and leisure uses and more active external frontages with new landmark buildings and improved town gateways.

They also include plans to encourage less of a reliance on cars for those visiting the Town Centre by creating new pedestrian routes and improved links with Telford station and bus services.

Councillor Kuldip Sahota, Leader of Telford & Wrekin Council, said: “We are really pleased that Sovereign Land have been granted permission for their planned £200m development within and around the existing shopping centre.

“Their vision fits well with how the Council wants to see the borough develop as a destination that incorporates a wide range of employment, leisure, retail and housing, bringing a true urban feel to the town centre and complimenting the work around Southwater and the Box Road.

“The approval further cements our position as a borough working to create a bright future for everyone who lives, works or visits here and reinforces our position as a Business Winning, Business Supporting Council.

“We are just a few months away from opening the first phase of the £250m Southwater development, and Sovereign Land’s investment into the shopping centre will complement greatly Southwater and Telford & Wrekin Council’s vision for growth. The fact that Sovereign Land are putting this major investment into Telford shows just how much trust there is in us as a growth point not only regionally but nationally too as part of our ‘Invest In Telford’ work.”