More details of multi-million-pound plans for Billingham town centre have emerged, with most of the new blocks earmarked for homes.
The majority of the space to be demolished around the West Precinct appears to be slated for residential development under a new Billingham town centre masterplan.
This plan – under which Stockton Council will buy the West Precinct part of the town centre from owner Evolve Estates to demolish buildings and create shops and homes – will go to the cabinet this afternoon (Monday, June 17).
Describing the forthcoming development as “residential-led” with shops in a “more compact area”, the masterplan includes new maps and 3D renderings of the proposed development.
A number of blocks – former West Precinct buildings and the old library site – show as residential development, as well as homes above existing ground-floor shops nearby.
One block, part of Queensway South, will be retail development, with a new car park between this and the new homes, and a long strip of parking alongside. The plans also outlines “landscaping opportunities” in the town centre.
The masterplan proposes 160 new residential units, about 2,300sqm new commercial space and improved infrastructure and public spaces, using £20m of government money from the Levelling Up Fund (LUF). It refers to a new “green district centre”, development sites, residential expansion and “densification of the town centre”.
It is expected to cost £13m to move businesses and knock down the buildings, with details of how much it will cost to buy the properties and make public improvements yet to be released. Borrowed money of £10m was set aside in the council’s financial plans in 2021.
The Town Square looks set to become a “Festival Square” with “public realm improvements”. More potential new floor space is identified at Billingham Library, and the former Wynyard House building is to be brought back into use.
Cabinet is being asked to agree the vision, approve its partial acquisition of the town centre for redevelopment, moving affected businesses and demolition of West Precinct, Queensway South and former library buildings. It is also being asked to support in principle compulsory purchase of land and rights if they cannot be secured otherwise.
If approved, council directors will have the power to “agree the terms to support the relocation of tenants” and complete contracts and agreements. Options for a “public sector hub” are also to be explored.
The council’s report says it is a “revised masterplan and future vision that seeks to create a vibrant, modern town centre that safeguards its traditional retail function and creates quality of place through residential-led, mixed use of development and high-quality new infrastructure in the heart of the town centre.
"The masterplan identifies the demolition and clearance of deteriorating buildings at West Precinct, the Queensway South block and former library site as key to unlocking the development potential of the town centre.
“This approach will stimulate change through the provision of modern, fit-for-purpose accommodation that encourages and diversifies uses, attracts private sector investment and increases footfall.
"This includes the creation of new retail floorspace to enable relocation of existing businesses within the centre as well as investment in the disused council office, Wynyard House, to maintain a physical council presence in the town centre.”
The council says it has been in discussions with Evolve and “agreed to acquire West Precinct and part of the adjacent Queensway South block at the point of vacant possession”. It says it will work with Evolve to move tenants into other town centre units, funded by levelling up cash, with detailed negotiations to start after the cabinet approves the plans.
The report adds: “Following the relocation of businesses and at the point of vacant possession, a phased programme of demolition will be undertaken. This process will facilitate the removal of long-term vacant and underused buildings whilst consolidating and reconfiguring the retail offer into a more compact area across a sustainable amount of floorspace.”
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The council says its masterplan is based on principles set in a 2020 public consultation, “which focused on the consolidation and reconfiguration of the existing retail offer, demolition and redevelopment of West Precinct, Queensway South and the former library site to create cleared sites for a residential-led, mixed use redevelopment”.
Plans are also expected to be approved for the new Billingham Sports Hub on the former Billingham Campus site, with three full-size artificial grass pitches, a 200m oval athletics track, accessible active track for runners, walkers, cyclists and dog walkers and a pavilion with changing facilities, community room, café and parking.
It will use £4m from Tees Valley Combined Authority and a funding application to the Football Foundation which, if successful, would lead to an anticipated opening of the hub in spring 2026.
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