Multi-million pounds plans for the redevelopment of The Strand shopping centre in Bootle are due to be given the green light next week.
The “important regeneration opportunity” has attracted “significant Government funding” and would be delivered in a series of phases between 2023 and 2031.
It follows the £32.5 million acquisition of the iconic centre by Sefton Council in 2017 as a key part of its plan to regenerate the town centre.
The local authority has submitted a planning application for the ambitious project which is expected to receive planning permission at a Sefton Council Planning Committee meeting at Bootle Town Hall on Wednesday, 15th January 2024.
The planning application includes details on the creation of a new town square and landscaping work to better connect the shopping centre with the existing Salt and Tar site, as well as the canalside.
These changes will see the introduction of more green spaces and community areas. It also shows new changes to the former M&S building, with plans to repurpose the shop into six individual units and a community space.
In his report, Sefton Council Chief Planning Officer Derek McKenzie said:
“The Strand Transformation project is an important regeneration opportunity in Bootle which has attracted significant Central Government funding.
“Due to the complexity of the redevelopment the proposals would be implemented over four phases between 2023 and 2031.
“This phase would focus on the delivery of the town square, addressing significant level changes and associated landscaping. Conditions to control the proposed uses, landscaping materials and elevational changes, highways, lighting, sustainability, land contamination, biodiversity and the protection of the canal side are recommended.
“Officers acknowledge that the proposed works would impact on the living conditions of adjacent residential properties in terms of noise, dust and general disturbance caused by the demolition. However, this element would be for a limited amount of time, and it is recommended that conditions are added to mitigate its impact through a Demolition and Construction Plan and also to address highway matters.”
Sefton Council purchased Bootle Strand Shopping Centre in 2017 as a key part of its plan to regenerate the town centre.
In 2020, Sefton Council Cabinet approved the need to develop a strategy to enable the long-term sustainability of the shopping centre, with a programme known as ‘Strand Transformation’.
Planning permission was granted last December as part of enabling works (Phase 1) of the wider regeneration project which involves the demolition of 5,755m2 of the Strand.
Sefton Council is now seeking to secure planning permission for the next stage of work in the transformation of Bootle Strand as the heart of the town’s revitalisation.
The plans submitted have been shaped by responses to the Council’s recent consultation from people who live, work, and visit Bootle.
As a result, the designs in the new planning application are fully accessible by wheelchairs and pushchairs, and easy to use by people with impaired mobility. They also include ways to reduce carbon use as much as possible and detail sustainability targets in line with Sefton Council’s Net Zero plans.
Cllr Paulette Lappin, Sefton Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy and Skills, said in October:
“We are excited about our ambitious plans for the town, and it is great to see that this is reflected by our residents, business owners and visitors.
“Work is already underway to prepare the shopping centre ahead of the demolition, which is due to start early in 2025.
“As we move forward with the project, we will continue to listen to the thoughts and ideas from everyone who has an interest in Bootle. I would like to encourage everyone to continue to share their ideas with us and to take part in future engagement events.”
Sefton Council bought the Strand in 2017, before receiving £20 million of Government funding to make significant improvements to the shopping centre.
The Strand will remain open to the public during all works and disruption to the public will be kept to a minimum.
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