Initial plans to regenerate Melton's Stockyard were approved by Melton Borough Council’s Planning Committee last night, marking an important milestone for the project.
The Stockyard development is a flagship project for Melton Borough Council that will support the growth of the food production sector in Melton Mowbray and enhance its potential as a cultural destination.
The planned vision includes a range of improvements to the current site, featuring a new destination Anchor Building serving multiple purposes and new open plan food production hubs which will enable multi-use occupancy for business needs.
The new buildings have been carefully designed to complement the existing area, and the development will also enhance some of the existing buildings on site, such as the trader hall and existing toilets.
It is proposed to provide new buildings in strategic locations, mostly on the under-used western part of the site, to house production facilities similar to the ones already on site, creating a cluster of complementary businesses to generate a critical mass that will help to create a unique destination and experience, in its own right.
These new buildings are located in such a way that they improve the Stockyard’s visibility and presence from the street, highlighting the entrances from Nottingham Road.
Stockyard forms part of a wider ambition being delivered collaboratively with Rutland County Council under the Rural Innovation in Action scheme, which has received combined UK Government Funding of £22.95m.
Rural Innovation in Action is a joint ambition of Melton Borough Council and Rutland County Council to deliver £22.95m of Levelling Up Funding granted in 2022. The scheme will bring together the two rural market towns into one economic system and will focus on the themes of food, digitalization, health, mobility and tourism innovation.
The approved proposals, subject to a Section 106 agreement, also include a multifunctional events space in the centre of the site, which will host a diverse calendar of activities to attract local and national visitors to the town. Many events, such as food festivals already established on the Cattle Market site will remain and will now have the space to expand thanks to the upgraded plans.
The scheme aims to make the space a more welcoming environment for all, with significant improvements to the main walkways, additional green infrastructure and seating as well as electric vehicle charging points. Additionally, there will be the inclusion of a Changing Places toilet facility to ensure the site is accessible for all.
Councillor Pip Allnatt, Leader of Melton Borough Council and responsible for key project delivery at Melton Borough Council, said: “Following a thorough planning and engagement process with the local community and key stakeholders to help form the Stockyard project, it’s good to see that our plans have been approved.
“The scheme is a transformational development that enhances the existing site. We will be able to increase and improve the food manufacturing and education aspects on site, and we’ll also be adding new public toilets with a changing places area – a facility the local community has voiced the need for. The planning approval represents a significant milestone, and we’ll be keeping stakeholders up to date on progress.”
In recent years, Stockyard has acted as a local point of interest bringing people together from around the area to experience the goods that are produced on site, which has already attracted visitors to the town. The Retail Impact Assessment showed the enhancements at Stockyard will generate further footfall and economic activity, supporting existing businesses in the town centre, whilst making full use of a unique site that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
A key part of Stockyard is to incorporate the broader Town Centre Vision, ensuring the plans link and support the wider area. The plans also include new signage directing people to the town centre and improved public realm across the site, with enhanced access.
Following planning approval and the discharge of any relevant planning conditions, work is planned to begin in the spring. The council have already received interest and are taking enquiries from potential occupiers of the new units and are encouraging interested parties to contact APB on wjs@apbleicester.co.uk.
It's estiamted that awards for the constrcution of the site will be in April 2025, works commencing in May with a completion of July 2026.
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