Planning permission approved for Redcar seafront family attraction and town centre improvements

Planning permission approved for Redcar seafront family attraction and town centre improvements

Redcar's Town Deal has taken another step forward today (Thursday 2 February) as two major projects have been granted planning permission.

Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council’s Regulatory Committee approved plans for a new family attraction to be built, which will be known as the Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction. This will transform Redcar’s High Street and Esplanade and create a new outdoor events space.

This means the former M&S building and Goodwins will be demolished this spring, and construction of the attraction will begin in the summer.

More indoor cultural and leisure activities/events will be on offer which will help Redcar become a year‐round destination, creating a more vibrant and attractive Esplanade, and enhancing the town's leisure offer for both locals and tourists. New indoor immersive and interactive attractions including bowling and Virtual Reality Games could be provided, subject to the preferred operator.

A new relocated library will also help to create a new community focus, providing a modern, exciting and welcoming space for all, with access to digital technology, information, services and learning. It will include a children's library with a storytelling area and will be flexible for a range of events and activities.

The cultural hub will replace the existing library provision based at Redcar and Cleveland House and place the library at the heart of the town centre, supported by a regular programme of events.

The colour and type of cladding on the exterior of the building will be subject to further engagement at the detailed design stage.

Also approved at the Council’s Regulatory Committee was the public realm improvements to Redcar’s high street. This means residents and tourists will see improvements to the area such as the introduction of new street furniture, more landscaping with plants and trees, improved lighting, and more.

The improvements will help create a vibrant town centre which attracts more visitors and residents, supporting local independent businesses, jobs and attracting further investment

The project will include:

• improving the appearance of the high street by creating an uncluttered environment and developing spaces for events and activities. Queen Street will be pedestrianised to create a gateway to the high street from Station Road, provide lighting features, create locations for seating and public artwork;
• improving the appearance of the southern section of the esplanade by resurfacing and widening pavements, improving road crossings, introduce seating and lighting. Dundas and Bath Street will accommodate some parking re-located from the Esplanade;
• improving Station Road by improving pavements, road crossing and street furniture.

The board for the Redcar Town Deal fund is led by a group of industry experts, business leaders, and community representatives, who have volunteered to support the regeneration of Redcar. Alongside Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council, they have helped develop large-scale regeneration plans on how to make Redcar a vibrant, sustainable town.

Darren Winter, Chair of Redcar Town Board, said:

“We are delighted the plans for the Culture and Leisure Anchor Attraction have been approved as well as the public realm improvements; these projects will support the wider regeneration of Redcar’s High Street that we know residents, businesses, and visitors want now and in the future.

Cllr Chris Gallacher, Cabinet Member for Economic Development at the council, said:

“We’re really pleased the planning application for these key Redcar Town Deal projects have been approved today. The projects will transform the heart of Redcar town centre with a fresh offering of new and dynamic attractions and entertainment for locals and visitors throughout the year, and in all seasons.

“It will also support our growing number of independent retailers and businesses and enhance people’s experience when visiting the town centre with a much-improved environment.”