Plans to create a new commercial and cultural hub at the former Market Hall site have been approved.
The three-part proposal, which went to the Bromsgrove Planning Committee on Monday, February 19, includes a pavilion providing a multipurpose space to encourage creative exhibitions, markets and community use during the day, evenings and weekends.
A separate commercial building will also offer high-quality offices, a new restaurant on the ground floor and a rooftop food and drink outlet.
Surrounding the buildings will be the open public space which includes opening up and re-naturalising the Spadesbourne Brook, public seating and landscaping.
Deputy leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Sue Baxter, said: "The approval of plans for the former Market Hall by the planning committee this week is an exciting milestone and I want to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and gave their views.
"This development receiving planning permission means that the exciting part can now begin and is a vital step towards the future regeneration of Bromsgrove."
The site has been designed by ONE Creative Environments (ONE) and is being project-managed by Arcadis.
A large proportion of the project is being funded through a £14.5 million grant from the government Levelling Up Fund (LUF) that was secured by the council and North Worcestershire Economic Development and Regeneration (NWEDR) in October 2021.
Birdbox has occupied the site for the past four years but is set to be replaced by the new development now that the plans have been approved.
Leader of the council, Karen May, said: "Having been at the opening of BirdBox, I am sad it's the end of an era, but this new development will create the opportunity to hold and host a large variety of different events."
The plans for the new town centre site have previously come under fire by residents who labelled the proposals "ridiculous".
There were concerns raised over the impact of the restaurant on smaller businesses in the area as well as questions over the need for more office space.
Resident Ali Lambden said: "There are several cafes in town run by small local businesses that would be threatened by the restaurants that are planned."
Another resident, Joe Smith, added: "Why not put the money into running the Artrix properly which everyone wants?"
In response to comments, the council said feedback had been considered during the planning process and that LUF monies can only be spent on the projects highlighted in the bid.
They added: "The money can only be spent to develop brownfield sites so cannot be used in the High Street or on anything else apart from these sites and the public realm around them."
The next step in the project will be for a contractor to be appointed who will make the vision a reality on-site with the work expected to start as early as summer 2024.
For more information visit www.bromsgrove.gov.uk/fmh
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