Ambitious plan is scaled down

Developer St Modwen has applied for permission to build a 1,500 sq m food store, 11 retail units over 1,340 sq metres, five flats on the second storey, a 600-seat bingo hall and 170-space car park in phase one of the Hednesford Gateway scheme at the Rugeley Road end of Market Street.

This differs from an initial plan which proposed the inclusion of 10 retail units over 970 sq m, 18 flats up to three storeys, and a pub/restaurant.

The phase one application also features provision for high street retail outlets, financial services, pub/ restaurant facilities and offices.

The bingo hall will be relocated from Victoria Street, which, along with Hednesford bus station, the Aquarius ballroom and drill hall, will form the site for phase two, the larger part of the scheme, anchored by a Tesco superstore.

The retail giant will bring an 80,000 sq ft foodstore, creating up to 300 jobs.

Subject to planning permission being secured by the end of 2009, construction work is expected to start on site next year.Cannock Chase Council's cabinet member for employment, Councillor Danny Davies, said: "The developer is responding to the market and has substantially reduced the flats element as there just isn't the demand.

"The flats built a couple of years ago on the old Blaggs site aren't selling and there is an application for more near the Uxbridge pub.

"And with so many pubs closing, it is more difficult to attract that type of business.

"We are eager to see work start on phase one as the agreement says it should be up to damp course level before work starts on phase two, which is where the main focus of the new-look Hednesford will be."

Hednesford Gateway foll-ows the £3m Lightworks retail and residential development at the former Lucas factory, in Market Street, which opened in April.