Council launches plan to develop town centre

The proposals could see the council headquarters off Civic Way demolished

More than 50 homes, a hotel, cafes and a play area could be built in Swadlincote under a vision for the town proposed by the council.

South Derbyshire District Council has launched a public consultation on the Swadlincote town centre masterplan - pitched by consultants BDP and AspinallVerdi - which will run until 8 November.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the proposals could see the council headquarters off Civic Way demolished, with plans for the site including a leisure complex and a second alternative plan for an 80-room hotel.

Council leader Rob Pearson said the Labour-run authority wanted the plan to "address the decline in town centres".

The LDRS said the masterplan consultation comes after the council announced plans that it wants to move its headquarters and the leisure centre to land on the former Cadley Hill Colliery.

A planning application for that project, set to cost £59 million, is due to be submitted to the council with an aim to have the facilities open by Spring 2028, the LDRS said.

According to the LDRS, a children's play area could be built on what is currently a council staff car park and green space around the existing Diana Memorial Garden could be expanded.

The masterplan also included proposals to improve pedestrian passageways and add public art to the area.

"What we have in front of us now is what research shows us could be feasible," Pearson said. "These are some ways of linking the town together and improving green space and connectivity."

He added: "It used to be that people would do their main shopping in the town centre, but that has changed with online commerce.

"We need a range of uses to attract people and we need to get more people into the town centre and living in the town centre. We need a plan for the future."