Stockton pushes on with regen plan
The Central Stockton and North Thornaby Blueprint, mapping out the local authority’s 25-year vision, is set to be signed off by cabinet.
A year ago, Stockton-on-Tees Council’s cabinet was presented with ideas on next steps for place-based economic development and growth, ideas that have formed the basis of the recently completed blueprint document.
The introduction to the blueprint states “we’re going to deliver modern, mixed-use urban neighbourhoods, and have great plans to create a stronger central area in the town centre”.
The Splash centre will see investment. Credit: Stockton Council
The key asks at the cabinet meeting are that the Splash centre is committed to as a central leisure centre, with further plans to follow later this year; that the town’s hall repurposing be waved ahead; and that a joint venture is greenlit between Stockton and Tees Valley Combined Authority to pursue development of the Municipal Quarter, with £450,000 requested for feasibility work.
Among the eight area-based proposals is a care and health innovation zone in North Thornaby to link with the NHS diagnostics centre that forms part of the Castlegate redevelopment in Stockton town centre.
The blueprint maps out eight intervention areas: some already well established locations or under development, others less advanced at this point.
Town centre (south)
Development here will be underpinned by the Stockton waterfront park, which replaces surprlus town centre retail and parking, with the area laso featuring the new Tees Valley diagnostics centre. A further aim is refreshing the southern end of Stockton High Street, while land has been cleared next to the park and on the former Post Office site, which could house apartments. Cabinet approval is sought to convert the old town hall into a register office. The Shambles would be upgraded.
Town centre (north)
The council is “committed” to the redevelopment of the Debenham’s store closed in 2020 in a way that will complement the Globe theatre. Supporting start-ups around the Wellington Street retail pitch is also named as a priority, along with supporting the cultural quarter around Finkle Street and Silver Street.
Municipal Quarter
Described as “the spark that will drive change and appetite for town centre living in Stockton,” the goal here is up to 400 homes in new and refurbished central buildings, also linking the North Shore residential scheme into the town centre. The library will remain and the Splash centre refurbished, while the council’s headquarters will move to Dunedin House in North Thornaby.
Castlegate Quay
A cultural heritage quarter will major on Stockton’s status as a railway pioneer, with the council keen to drive an outdoor-focused leisure and tourism offer.
Prince Regent Quarter
This could become a traffic-free boulevard, with the longer term thinking to replace older, poorer quality buildings.
Waterways
Majoring on the Tees waterfront is a big part of the council’s thinking. Improving connectivity to and along the river is in the thinking, while possibilities to be explored include a floating lido and an events amphitheatre on the White Water Course at the Tees Barrage. St Mark’s Basin is a development priority amid a general wish for more homes.
North Shore
Across 50+ acres, Muse and Homes England have already delivered 80,000 sq ft of commercial space, a hotel and hundreds fo homes. The aspiration is to expand on this.
Tees Valley Care and Health Innovation Zone
The TVCHIZ plan will look to transform the Teesdale Business Park to connect North Thornaby to Stockton town centre, through a ‘spine’ of health and care assets, with the station expanded into a transport hub. In time, the Marshalling Yards would be rejuvenated.
Stockton’s cabinet meeting of 18 July will consider the report.
A ‘health spine’ is envisaged running from an improved Thornaby station. Credit: Stockton Council
