SG1 Holding Direction lifted

Stevenage Borough Council has welcomed the news that the holding direction on Mace’s ‘SG1’ planning application has been lifted by the Secretary of State.

The development, the single largest within the 20-year, £1bn regeneration programme now underway in the town, has received widespread public support and has been consulted on widely by its developers, Mace.

SG1 will deliver a range of new residential, commercial, leisure and retail facilities and will cover 14.5 acres of the town centre, introducing 11 new buildings. The plans also include a new park in the heart of Stevenage along with a new Garden Square and Public Services Hub.

Mace expects the development to provide an additional £38.6m in new spending power per annum from the new residents of the 1,800 new homes it will deliver. It will also create over 1,000 jobs including 36 new construction apprenticeships that can boost the skills of local residents.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Sharon Taylor said:

“We are delighted that the Secretary of State has given the green light to this vital regeneration project. With Covid-19 bringing so many challenges to the country and to Stevenage, the regeneration of the town centre is critical to our recovery efforts. This project will create vital local jobs and opportunities, new public areas and green spaces, improved health and community facilities, new homes and places for people to enjoy.

Our regeneration programme is well underway, with the finishing touches being put to the Town Square, the new bus station being built and the regeneration of part of Queensway also making great progress.

These investments are needed now more than ever, so that we can create a vibrant town centre and hope for a brighter future”

This now allows the Council to finalise and conclude the Section 106 legal agreement with the developer Mace and to issue the planning permission accordingly.

For more information about our Regeneration plans visit our Stevenage Even Better website