UKDevelopments: Ballymore Properties Ltd last week revealed plans for a €285 million retail and residential development in Luton in the UK. Proposals for the town centre redevelopment site includes 46,451 sq m (500,000 sq ft) of retail and leisure development plus 255 affordable and private homes.
Known as the Power Court site, Ballymore engaged directly with the public on the attractions of the mixed development. It staged three public sessions late last week to encourage local backing for the redevelopment scheme.
It has also encouraged people to apply for free copies of the proposals in advance of the company's bid for planning, to be made in spring 2005.
Ballymore Properties are urban regeneration specialists, trading in Ireland, the UK and on the Continent. The company has promised to review feedback coming from the public and take it into account when submitting its planning proposals.
"We have taken into account the outcome of Luton Borough Council's development framework report which identified the need for town centre regeneration in Luton," said Mr John Turner, head of planning for the company.
This he said showed "overwhelming demand" for public areas and shopping. "The proposals also include high quality affordable and private housing that is desperately needed in Luton town centre," he added.
Ballymore has already circulated an information leaflet to 15,000 households around the town to open up public discussion about the project.
"We are very keen to see what aspects people like and what, if anything, needs reconsidering. So far comments have been extremely productive and positive," he claimed.
The scheme proposed includes 50,000 sq m (538,195 sq ft) of retail and leisure including restaurants and cafés overlooking the nearby St Mary's Church.
It will provide new housing, 1,500 car-parking spaces on the roof of the development, a new pedestrianised zone and a square.
"As part of the transport measures for the scheme, St Mary's Road will be diverted alongside the railway line, allowing us to create a pedestrian-friendly zone from the town centre to Power Court, including a new landscaped town square, with hedge and tree planting," said Mr Mark Taylor from architects REID.
He promised "spectacular" design, with a central rotunda topped by a glass roof.
"There will also be an attractive sleek 'skin' surrounding the rest of the building, as well as new public art and a water feature," he added. "The aim is to be sensitive to, and integrate with, the current town centre buildings and the surrounding environment."
The development should provide a "catalyst to wider regeneration within the town centre", Mr Turner said.
"Luton is a town we believe in and our proposals will put Luton back on the map and provide new facilities to help the town compete with surrounding retail centres."
He believes the development will attract high street retailers in clothing, footwear, health and beauty, electrical, sports and leisure and household stores.
