Legal challenge to Walsall shops scheme

Topland, which bought the shopping centre in February, has voiced concerns over plans to develop the St Matthew's Quarter, claiming it will have a 'detrimental impact to Walsall's future prosperity'.

The company says it has made an application to a court to apply for a judicial review against the planning application, which was approved by Walsall Council in May.

The £12 million St Matthew's Quarter development, set to bring 200 new jobs, will create 11 new units including space for retail, restaurants and leisure.

It would see Digbeth and Lower Hall Lane redeveloped under plans submitted by Norton and Proffitt.

But Topland today claimed the development would have 'grave implications' for existing shops in Park Street, the Saddlers Centre, Bradford Centre and The Bridge. They say it would aggravate problems for existing traders and landlords in the town, which already has a vacant premises rate of almost 30 per cent.

Steve Pope, director of retail property at Topland, said the company was keen to work with Walsall Council to boost shopping in the town and welcomed plans for a new Primark and Co-op as well as two new cinema schemes.

But he added: "We are concerned however to see the 8,257 sqm of unnecessary new retail floor space in the St Matthews Quarter application. This will flood the town by duplicating large retail units for which there is little demand in the current tough economic conditions.

"A quantum leap of such unnecessary space will only create more boarded-up shop fronts on what should be a zealously protected prime pitch with all the social and economic ills that this brings.

"We are committed to work with the local authority and other developers to promote a strong town centre but will seek to oppose further schemes on the edge of town which undermine the strength of not only the Saddlers Centre but Walsall town centre in general."

Topland says it is now seeking legal redress to try to defend the existing town centre retail provision. The St Matthew's Quarter is being redeveloped by Norton and Proffitt Developments and is a joint venture between St Modwen and Good Estates Ltd. St Modwen today said the St Matthew's Quarter was creating jobs in the town.

Mark Watkins, senior development surveyor at St Modwens, said: "St Matthew's Quarter is an integral part of the regeneration of Walsall town centre, delivering modern space to meet current retailer requirements and replacing outdated buildings in Digbeth."

The new scheme will boast a 11,930 sq ft restaurant and space for 11 shops on the ground and mezzanine floors. It is the latest stage of Norton and Proffitt's wider £90m St Matthew's Quarter regeneration scheme.

Planning permission for the regeneration of St Matthew's Quarter was granted in May this year. Walsall Council today said it had not yet been served with any papers.

Regeneration chief Councillor Adrian Andrew said: "The council's view is that it has complied with all the statutory requirements. In addition, if this development does go ahead, it will enhance the town centre."