Councillors recommended to progress £9m Ivybridge regeneration project to next stage
The plans include a new Aldi supermarket
Councillors are being recommended to progress the £9m Ivybridge regeneration project, which includes a new Aldi supermarket, to the next stage.
South Hams District Council’s executive, when they meet next Thursday, are being asked by officers to recommend to full council that the project moves through to the planning, tender, construction and lease phases.
The £9m project would see a new Aldi supermarket build on part of the Leonards Road car park as part of a package to boost footfall in the town, and more than two thirds of people who replied to consultation over plans for a new Aldi supermarket in Ivybridge were in support of the major regeneration scheme.
The Council’s Project Team have explored the possibilities and options available to them, consulted the Town Council, local businesses and residents, and the Council will be asked for a decision on what happens next.
Cllr Hilary Bastone, South Hams Executive Member for Enterprise, said: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Ivybridge. It has never been more important for us to support our market towns. This project could be really important in reinvigorating Ivybridge and creating a thriving town centre.
“The last time we discussed this project at Executive, we focused on the completion of a number of key exploratory work streams. This time we will be discussing the technical and economic viability of the project and considering whether it will succeed in regenerating Ivybridge town centre.
“We know from our consultations that a discount food store is very much wanted in the town and there are many people keen to see this project happen.
“If this project does move forward to the next stage, we would like to make sure that the people of Ivybridge are kept fully informed. I would encourage everyone who is interested in this project to sign up for email alerts.
“There are still hurdles to overcome, including the formal planning process, so it is really important to us that we continue talking with the town and discussing this project.
“We will also review the risks involved and what needs to be considered when deciding whether to continue further with this project.
“I welcome the debate we will have next Thursday and look forward to discussing this opportunity with the rest of the Executive.”
Pat White, Ivybridge Chamber of Commerce Chairman said: “All retail small businesses face huge uncertainties at the moment and the regeneration project at Ivybridge when it gets delivered should help re- balance lost footfall from Tesco at Lee Mill and rejuvenate Ivybridge town for the benefit of businesses and the local economy.”
Howard Roddis, LCP Properties (Glanvilles Mill) added: “We’re pleased to see the high street boosted with a new Aldi store, which will also help to bring additional footfall to Fore Street in Ivybridge and Glanvilles Mill. At a time when regional shopping centres are struggling, it is good news for both shoppers and the local community to have a variety of offers on their doorstep.”
Ivybridge councillors have also thrown their support behind the project, with Cllr Victor Abbott saying: “I am pleased about the investment due to come into Ivybridge. The outcome of the questionnaire put to residents of Ivybridge and nearby homes was overwhelmingly in support of the discount supermarket.”
Cllr Lance Austen added: “I have long been an advocate of the Ivybridge Regeneration Plan and I believe it is a necessity for the town given the challenges that its businesses are facing. I am convinced that an Aldi would increase footfall in the town centre and that the majority of people in the town would definitely want the plan to go ahead.”
And Cllr Karen Pringle said: “The outcome of the questionnaire put to residents of Ivybridge and nearby homes was overwhelmingly in support of the discount supermarket and as a result of that I am happy to support this investment coming to Ivybridge.”
It is estimated that an Aldi investment in this project would be £21 million over the 25 years, the report of Laura Wotton, Head of Assets states.
She adds that this is in addition to the initial construction costs invested by the Council, the store could create 30-40 jobs and attract an extra 100 shoppers at any one time, who in turn can take advantage of the wider town Ivybridge offer, including the leisure centre and high street.
Her report adds: “This project provides an opportunity to regenerate Ivybridge town centre and offer significant benefits to the local economy and public realm. It also carries with it the requirement to make a significant investment with which comes some risk, not least through the construction of a major infrastructure project.
“There is strong support for this project from residents, the business community, local members, town council and key stakeholders. If the project proceeds there will be a period of disruption within the town centre, albeit the project will be phased as far as possible to minimise the impact.
“The project delivers a better shopping choice for residents and provides a local offer which can be accessed without a vehicle. It will provide linked trip opportunities, which in turn improve the sustainability and vitality of the businesses in the high street and improve the local shopping and leisure offer to the benefit of local residents.”
But she said that if the decision is made to progress the project, there will be additional costs incurred as we work through the tender, detailed design and planning process and the legal work, and it was possible an increase to the project costs could render the project unviable, adding: “Having set out the benefits and challenges, it is now a political decision as to whether or not this Council wishes to invest up to £9m in a regeneration project for one of the districts key towns.”
The executive, when they meet next Thursday, are being recommended to recommend to full council that the Ivybridge Regeneration project through to planning, tender, construction and lease, subject but not limited to the regulatory statutory planning process and the total scheme cost being within the £9m budget.