Cramlington project will not be abandoned

Mar 16 2009 by Peter Taylor, The Journal

THE multi-million pound redevelopment of a town centre has been put on hold because of the recession but a council boss has pledged it will still go ahead.

Councillors in Blyth Valley will be told this week that the much-heralded redevelopment of Cramlington town centre has hit snags.

A report to go before the town centre working group this week from council executive director Dennis Earl says that the first planning application from developers Hammerson was due to be submitted late last year along with a strategy or concept statement.

It adds: Unfortunately the economic downturn has impacted adversely on these plans. Although the owners are adamant that they are still committed to the redevelopment of the centre we do not know when the first planning application will now be submitted.

Hammerson bought the Manor Walks Shopping Centre and the neighbouring Westmorland Retail Park in 2006 year as part of a s425m portfolio which included four other UK centres and retail parks.

Proposals for the redevelopment which would form part of a s200m redevelopment of the portfolio by Hammerson over the next five years were first unveiled the following year. A new food supermarket next to the Focus DIY store, redevelopment of the Asda store, a new roundabout off Westmorland Way and car park refurbishment were proposed in phase one.

It was said that the fresh lease of life for town centre could see a cinema being built plus bowling, new restaurants and caf›s and a public art scheme.