TWO local professional practices based in Stourbridge have achieved a major coup in Stourport-on-Severn after winning two of the biggest projects in the town's history.

The major regeneration schemes in the canal basins and on the River Severn represent more £25 million investment in the town.

Walton and Hipkiss, chartered surveyors and residential agents, with BBLB Architects, have both been appointed by Clive Fletcher Developments and Thomas Vale Construction Group as consultants on both the proposed James Brindley Wharf development at Bridge Street in the town centre and Marina Quays on the Severn, one mile upstream of the town and adjacent to the picturesque Lincomb Lock.

Clive Fletcher Developments is a locally based independent company specialising in property development within the West Midlands. Working with Thomas Vale Construction Plc, the company has a proven track record of delivering high quality housing, leisure and employment schemes which compliment and enhance the local area.

BBLB will be architects and planning advisers and Walton and Hipkiss development consultants, residential and commercial sales/lettings agents.

The proposed mixed-use redevelopment, to be known as James Brindley Wharf, is intended to turn Stourport’s Bridge Street into a new pedestrian gateway to the canal basins, linking it to the popular riverside meadows area. The scheme will include leisure, residential, retail and cafés together with offices, waterside one- and two-bedroom apartments and select mews houses, all fronting onto the Lichfield Basin.

Alan Knight, head of commercial at Walton and Hipkiss, said: “The support for the development has been outstanding and has been welcomed across the town and Wyre Forest. The scheme has the opportunity to offer local employment opportunities, boost the local economy through heightened disposable income spend and will drive business back into the town centre including tourism. It is wonderful to see many local companies and public sector partners driving a project which will hugely benefit future generations.

"The scheme is being backed by Wyre Forest District Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, and British Waterways, and is part of the council’s wider “ReWyre” regeneration initiative, with the overall vision for transforming the town into a successful and vibrant place to live, work and visit.

A planning application is expected to be submitted early in the New Year with construction commencing later in the year. Alan Knight added: “We have been receiving a good number of enquiries for both commercial and residential space and are in active negotiations on both lettings and sales, we look forward to turning this exciting project into reality”

One mile up the Severn is the proposed Marina Quays, located off Sandy Lane and the river. The site is currently low-grade agricultural land used for seasonal grazing.

The scheme represents an exciting opportunity to develop a new marina to provide leisure mooring berths within the Stourport area, for which a significant need has been identified.

It will also create a new destination on the town’s riverside walk. The scheme includes the provision of an element of land-based leisure development, including a marina club house and 114 holiday apartments. This, along with some commercial support space, will enable the construction of the Marina to be financially viable.

The proposal includes:

  • The creation of a new basin of the River Severn to form a 408-berth marina.
  • A new footbridge across the marina entrance.
  • 114 holiday apartments (1 and 2 bedrooms)
  • A club house, including a restaurant and bar, gym, boat sales & hire facility, chandlery.
  • Workshops relating to the marina.
  • A comprehensive landscaping scheme, including the creation of a wildlife and ecology zone, picnic areas and landscaped amenity and improvements to the riverside walk to Stourport town.

John Bradshaw, partner of BBLB and leader the project, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed on the James Brindley Wharf and Marina Quays projects. They are key regeneration schemes for Stourport and the surrounding area which we believe will act as a catalyst for further development of leisure and tourism in the town.”