Council sets out vision for Weston Town Centre sites

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The re-development of vacant sites in Weston Town Centre took another step forward last night, with a decision by North Somerset Council to start work to find a development partner.

A report to Full Council was agreed, setting out plans to take forward a collection of sites at Locking Road, Sunnyside Road, Dolphin Square and Walliscote Place. Together these sites could deliver around 500 new homes as well as commercial or community buildings.

The report outlines key principles for the delivery of the sites, including good quality of design, provision of affordable housing, high standards of sustainability and compliance with national space standards. It is hoped that a development partner could be in place by the end of the year and that work will start in 2024, once planning consent has been secured.

We will seek to deliver at least 30% of the homes on the sites are expected to be affordable, with the council committing £693,493 of its capital programme towards enhanced affordable housing and sustainability measures. A further £1.07m has been secured from the government’s One Public Estate scheme to support the delivery of the former police station site at Walliscote Place.

Presenting the report, Cllr Mark Canniford, Executive Member for Placemaking and Economy, at North Somerset Council, said: “These sites have been a blight on the town for far too long and it is fantastic that we can now commence work to move them forward and provide a deserving development that the town centre warrants. These proposals demonstrate once again that we are doing everything we can to develop our brownfield sites and deliver housing for local people who need homes. We can also ensure that the standard of quality and living conditions are in line with our placemaking ambitions for the town, as set out in the SuperWeston Placemaking Strategy.”

The report also recommends looking into options for temporary “Meanwhile Uses” before development starts, particularly at Dolphin Square. This could include temporary food and drink attractions similar to those at Wapping Wharf in Bristol, or other temporary workable proposals for the area

The sites at Locking Road, Sunnyside Road and Dolphin Square are currently in the ownership of Homes England, however terms have been agreed and it is expected that the transfer to North Somerset Council will be completed by 31st March.