Bus station revamp plans costing £15m approved

Harlow Council wants people to send feedback on the redevelopment

A £15m redevelopment of a "desolate" bus station has been given the go-ahead.

Harlow Council said the plans involve a revamp of the entire bus station and parts of Terminus Street.

A single-storey transport hub will be built, along with a parking area for about 80 bicycles.

Council officer Gavin Cooper said the plans would improve "the bus station environment and outlook with greenery rather than the open and desolate place it is today".

There would be a "flexible events space" among the plans, the council said

Work is expected to start in the coming months and will be delivered in phases so the existing station can be kept open.

The new station will be paid for from £23.7m awarded to the council through a Towns Fund bid to the government.

A cycle hub will be to the south, with storage space for bikes

Conservative councillor Dan Swords, deputy leader of the council, said: "This is another major step forward for the regeneration of the town centre following the recent purchases of Occasio House and the Harvey Centre, the £46m investment from Strawberry Star and the many other plans that are coming into fruition – all in line with our Town Centre Masterplan."

It will "completely overhaul a run-down part of the town centre into a welcoming gateway into Harlow's new town centre," he said.

Labour councillor Bob Davis, at the development management committee meeting, said: "The canopy I think is a problem, because I think people will be subject to wind," the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

"The inclusion of green areas will help to transform the overall character," the council said

A consultation into the plans will be open until 13 February.