A £1bn regeneration programme led by Stevenage Borough Council, working with the Stevenage Development Board, is delivering a mixed-use town centre reflecting the aspirations of its people, and businesses, and recognising its new town heritage and spirit.

Stevenage is a town steeped in rich heritage and has many strengths to build upon. Since becoming the country’s first new town back in 1946, Stevenage has become a place of opportunity and provides an ideal location for people and their families to live, work and play.

Surrounded by the leafy countryside of Hertfordshire with green parks and open spaces, a variety of shops, a leisure park with a range of family activities, Stevenage is also home to several international, sector-leading organisations and life science companies. Did you know that Tim Peake controlled the ExoMars Rover from Airbus’ site in our town?

Although change has already been delivered, there is more to do. The way in which we use town centres nationally is changing and so it is imperative that the town centre has a mix of uses to ensure that Stevenage remains a place where people can and want to spend time. We will continue to diversify the current use of the town centre, bringing residential, leisure, commercial space, evening economy, active travel and arts and culture.

This change is being delivered in collaboration, through public-private partnerships and investment that is helping to future proof the town. Private sector organisation Mace are onsite delivering the SG1 scheme that will introduce new residential, retail and leisure opportunities – along with a combined public services hub – to the town centre. Reef Group has already delivered schemes in the town centre, including the £50m upgrade to Queensway North and a new European headquarters for Autolus Therapeutics, who are developing lifesaving cancer treatments from the centre of the town. Meanwhile the Guinness Partnership are well underway with their first phase of homes, bringing 143 affordable housing units to the town centre.

£37.5m of funding has been secured through the Town’s Fund, with Stevenage being awarded the second-highest allocation in the country. This money is being used for nine projects throughout the town, which have been shaped in consultation with the local community. The Stevenage Development Board provides strategic leadership and oversees the projects allocated funding, as well as being instrumental in the creation of the Stevenage Town Investment Plan.

You can find out more about all of the projects and the regeneration programme on the Stevenage Even Better website.

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