A MAJOR town centre regeneration that would see a “redundant” shopping centre ‘wiped away’ in favour of 300 new homes and other parts of a high street reimagined could become a reality when necessary government funding is unlocked.
Buckinghamshire Council has revealed staggering strategic aims for High Wycombe which could “be largely complete within the next 18 to 24 months”, once it receives £11.8 million in Future High Streets Funding (FHSF) from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG).
Among its aspirations is “wiping away the blight of the redundant 7,035-sqm Chilterns Shopping Centre and replacing it with residential development”, according to a council document.
PICTURED: 'Three strategic aims': The Western Gateway, Old Town-New Town, The Southern Gateway.
PICTURED: Areas the coucnil is looking at
READ MORE: Major new plans for former Park and Ride site ‘should be approved without delay’
It intends to “forward purchase” commercial ground floorspace “in the comprehensive redevelopment” of the shopping centre and Primark, ‘unlocking’ provision for 300 homes in the town centre and bring in “an estimated £56 million of investment”.
It said Primark would relocate to Eden, adding the whole move is the “single biggest transformation” for the Old Town, “removing vacant, overextended retail” and “reinforcing the Eden Shopping Centre as the retail hub” in the town centre.
READ MORE: Grade II listed cottage extension is ‘overshadowing’ and of ‘poor design’
PICTURED: What the Curve plans revealed in 2018
It also talks about “repurposing the Curve” on Oxford Street.
In 2018 the Free Press revealed plans to overhaul the Curve building – formerly known as Octagon Parade and which housed Pure nightclub – by turning it into commercial space.
Owners McLaren Group built the adjacent Travelodge and have planning consent for redevelopment, but it has been marketed ‘unsuccessfully’ for at least 12 months.
The council claims “there is a market” for smaller office space in Wycombe, “rather than having to commute into London”.
PICTURED: Eden Shopping Centre
As part of its Old Town-New Town strategic aim, the council intends to continue to repurpose vacant properties for alternative uses “that are complementary to, not in competition with” Eden.
It hopes to “create a flexible modern-day agora” by bringing the spaces underneath the Guildhall and The Little Market House into use.
“This will enable the area to create a critical mass of activity just outside the doors of Eden,” a report states.
Finally, in The Southern Gateway section of its strategic aims, the council wants to create a “cultural cluster” to increase footfall.
PICTURED: The Liberal Club is “under option”
It says the Liberal Club is “under option” to be used for restoration and display of the town’s Chair Collection, above a new social club.
It also envisions a “new riverside piazza” in front of the Swan Theatre, “enabling pedestrianisation of the St Mary Street Arts Cultural Entertainment zone”, linking the high street to the university.
The MHCLG funding will be released to the council in May.
“The programme of acquisition and refurbishment is likely to be largely complete within the next 18 to 24 months,” according to a council document.
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