Two masterplans move forward in Staines

A major redevelopment at Causeway Business Park in Staines has been approved by Runnymede Borough Council.

In approving the hybrid planning application, the council’s planning committee approved full consent for a supermarket, light industrial units, a 364-space multi-storey car park, refurbishment of an industrial building called Celsur House and landscaping.

The approval also includes outline permission for a 160-room hotel. It relates to 6.99-acres of the park

The project brings forward the next stage in a masterplan for the park by landlord Vixen Jersey Ltd. The team includes XLB Property and DP9.

The dated park is undergoing a major transformation to try to keep occupiers. Some of its buildings have been vacant for many years. At present, it hosts only just over half the potential 2,320 jobs it could.

The permission comes a week after an announcement by Spelthorne Borough Council that is has appointed town planning and urban design consultancy David Lock Associates to come up with a masterplan for Staines town centre.

Spelthorne Borough Council has appointed the firm to consider various opportunities to improve the town centre, diversify its range of activities and look at options for improving access, particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport.

The masterplan will also seek to make the town centre a more attractive place to spend time in, improve public realm and capitalise on the town’s location on the Thames. It will be used as part of the evidence base for the emerging Spelthorne Local Plan.

Councillor Ian Harvey, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: “This is an exciting opportunity for the council to plan the future of Staines-upon-Thames town centre to create an even more attractive and welcoming place to live and do business.

“The council recognises that these are challenging times for our town centres, but through engaging extensively with businesses, residents and stakeholders and working proactively to address issues and opportunities, we will make Staines-upon-Thames an even more vibrant and resilient place for the future.”

The council is a major landowner which will help make it easier to implement the masterplan. The masterplan’s delivery strategy will consider its implementation over the short, medium and long term.

Matthew Lappin, senior associate at David Lock Associates, said: “The town already has a number of key assets, a good variety of shops, businesses and leisure facilities, and an attractive setting by the River Thames.

“The aim of the masterplan will be to find ways of maintaining these assets and identify new and deliverable opportunities to make the town centre an even better place to live, work and spend time in.”