Green light for regeneration of Bromsgrove town centre

Aug 4 2008 By Paul Bradley

THE regeneration of Bromsgrove today moved a step closer to reality as a raft of proposals got the green light from Worcestershire County Council.

High on the list of multi-million-pound improvements to the town is the Dolphin Leisure Centre, which has been earmarked for replacement.

And the town is set to have a series of new “blue light” facilities at the Parkside Middle School site, currently redundant. A new police station, health centre and fire station have been approved, and a new library is also set to be built.

The Conservative leader of Worcestershire County Council, Dr George Lord, said: “This is an exciting time for the people of Bromsgrove, but we have to make sure that any regeneration has economic development at its heart and this will require major investment.”

But bosses also urged residents to have their say as the consultation period began in earnest this month.

Bromsgrove District Council’s Tory leader, Coun Roger Hollingworth, said: “People regularly tell me how dissatisfied they are with the town centre and this is why the district council has made it one of its priorities and will be working with partners to build a better Bromsgrove for everyone.

“This latest move is the next step towards bringing this project to fruition and it is vital as many people as possible have their say on these issues and options, so they can help shape the future of the town centre.”

Roads through the town centre are all set to be resurfaced with a new railway station and bus station also on the cards.

Coun Stephen Clee, the county council’s cabinet member for corporate services, said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the town centre and bring it well and truly into the 21st century.”