St Austell Chamber

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has today [thursday, march 16] given the go-ahead for Restormel Borough Council to compulsorily acquire key sites in St Austell to progress the multi-million pound town centre redevelopment.
The decision by the Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon John Prescott MP, follows a public inquiry into the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) in February. The inquiry was completed sooner than expected, paving the way for a quick decision.

The CPO was a legal necessity to ensure that there were no outstanding land interests that needed to be acquired before the redevelopment scheme began.

The town centre redevelopment is a partnership between the South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA), Restormel Borough Council and private developer David McLean Developments Ltd.

The regeneration scheme will see new shops, new restaurants and cafes, and a new state-of-the-art four-screen cinema. There will also be over 60 new homes, a concealed 550-space car park, new toilets and two new public squares.

Robert McGuffie, regeneration manager for the South West RDA in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: “This is great news for the redevelopment of the town centre. It means that we can now prepare the legal contracts to acquire formally the sites that we need, ready for the final phase of demolitions that will include the cinema, the Tesco building and the block on Aylmer Square that is currently home to The Engine House and Peacocks.”
Mr McGuffie said a deal to acquire the Tesco building was in the hands of solicitors and would be completed in the next few weeks. A deal has also been reached with the owner of the cinema and contracts have been drawn up.
The final phase of demolitions is scheduled for September and will take approximately three months. This will avoid the busy summer season and allow for all the necessary legal work to be completed so that the demolitions can be carried out at the same time, minimising disruption to the town centre.

Acting Leader, Councillor Tim Jones said: “This is extremely good news for the town and is another significant decision which will enable the town centre regeneration scheme to happen. This Council is committed to securing the economic growth and prosperity of the Borough. This scheme is critically important not just for the people of St Austell but for the whole Borough; when finished it will make a real difference to the people who live in Restormel. I know local residents believe that it has taken a long time to get to this stage, so I hope that this decision will result in a start on site being made as soon as possible. I am sure that our partners will be working towards this aim.”

Councillor Annette Egerton, the executive member for regeneration at Restormel Borough Council said: “This news will give the regeneration of St Austell a great boost - it’s fantastic news for the town. The confirmation of the Order is a significant step forward; it gives the developer certainty that it can obtain the whole site which is required for the development.
As a consequence of the CPO, the developer will now be able to press ahead with the detailed design work and appoint experts to bring the scheme to fruition in as short a timescale as is possible. The people of St Austell will see a physical start on site as soon as these necessary steps are completed.”

Acting Chief Executive, Gareth Pinwell added: “The decision marks a clear watershed for the scheme. The partners now have the ability to assemble the whole site and press ahead the prep work that is necessary to make a physical start on site as soon as is practicable.
The CPO gives a clear message to potential investors in the area that the regeneration of St Austell Town Centre is imminent and that an environment is being established which will encourage further economic growth in and around the largest town in Cornwall. I am pleased to be part of a team of partners who have made strenuous efforts, sometimes in difficult circumstances, to bring this essential project forward.”

John Allen of David McLean Developments Ltd, said: “This is the decision we were waiting for. We can press ahead with the 1.5 million of detailed design work that needs to be done before we can tender for the construction contract later in the summer, and means that we should be able to start on site towards the end of the year. It also gives certainty to the retailers who have expressed an interest in the scheme and allows us to start discussing their specific requirements in detail.”

Paul Scott, chairman of St Austell Chamber of Commerce, said: “Chamber members will be breathing a huge sigh of relief that the CPO has been approved, and the Government has clearly listened to our pleas for an early decision. It unlocks the whole regeneration process and we look forward to the final phase of demolitions starting in the autumn.”