As the country emerges from lockdown, Stevenage Borough Council confirms their intention to accelerate the much anticipated SG1 regeneration programme.

At a meeting of the Council’s Executive, Members supported proposals to accelerate delivery of the scheme, which includes 1864 homes, new jobs, commercial spaces, and a new Garden Square and Linear Park. The proposals will unlock the benefits of SG1 quicker and bring increased consumer spending power to support businesses at a time when the town’s economy has been hit by the impact of Covid-19.

Detailed discussions with the Council’s Development Partner, Mace, will now progress to speed-up delivery of the scheme, including bringing forward delivery of the multi-use public sector hub, which will provide modern, high-quality facilities for many of the town’s partners to deliver joined-up services, together with a library, heritage centre and community facilities.

Residents will see visible signs of the scheme progressing in the coming months, with buildings at Southgate set to undergo demolition in preparation for the re-development.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Sharon Taylor said:

“The SG1 regeneration scheme, which is the largest scheme in our £1bn programme to transform Stevenage Town Centre, will be a key component of the town’s economic recovery. I am delighted to be able to support the proposals to speed-up delivery of the scheme to support our local businesses, and ensure that our town centre has a bright future.

“Residents can look forward to a vibrant town centre with attractive new green spaces and improved public services; new retail and commercial space, a new park, Garden Square and a Hub will provide improved public health and community facilities all under one roof right in the heart of the town centre.

“This news comes hot on the heels of our £37.5m Towns Fund allocation, which will deliver new infrastructure, leisure, cultural and enterprise facilities in the town centre. Together with the recently completed works in Town Square to deliver co-working space and create up to 200 jobs, the Queensway North regeneration scheme to transform the former M&S building with a new gym and restaurants, and the works underway to deliver a new bus interchange facility, it is truly an exciting time as we write a new chapter in our town’s history.”

More updates about the first phases of development and when they will start will be provided in the coming months.

See the Stevenage Even Better website for further information about the regeneration programme.