Stevenage town centre redevelopment gets council approval

Artist's impression of a redeveloped Stevenage town centre shows the view up to a new department store

A £250m redevelopment of Stevenage town centre has been given council approval.

Outline planning permission has been granted to developers for the scheme which includes new shops, restaurants, parking and up to 120 new homes.

Council leader Sharon Taylor said the decision would encourage investment from the private sector.

"In this challenging market [it] goes a considerable way to reducing risk and making the investment more attractive," she said.

The Planning and Development Committee agreed to grant planning permission subject to the completion of a legal agreement being entered into by the developers and the council.

But because of the current economic climate, Stevenage Borough Council has been unable to say when work on the project will begin.