St Modwen submits Kirkby town centre plans
The developer has submitted a planning application to Knowsley Council for the retail redevelopment of Kirkby town centre.
The project would contain:
- 13 retail units to total 75,595 sq ft
- Food store of 39,300 sq ft
- Petrol station
- Two drive-thru fast food restaurants
- New road junction
- Parking for 461 cars
The development, next to the existing Kirkby Shopping Centre, would involve the demolition of several buildings including a bingo hall, as well as the removal of footbridges and walkways.
The application follows collaboration between St Modwen and the council to develop plans for the town centre and a public consultation in October. The council said more than 500 people attended the two-day event held in St Chad’s Parade. Of the 229 responses received, 95% of residents and stakeholders supported St Modwen’s plans, the council said.
Cllr Graham Morgan, executive member for regeneration and economic development, said: “We are pleased to see another significant step forward in the regeneration of Kirkby town centre. The recent consultation events highlighted that there is a great deal of support for improving the retail offer in the town centre so I’m pleased to see that the next steps are being taken to bring forward the facilities which our residents want.”
Paul Batho, projects director, St Modwen North, said: “Our plans for Kirkby Town Centre incorporate the feedback we received during the public consultation and will provide Kirkby with a real boost.
“The scheme will provide a new supermarket and will widen the range of shops that will meet the shopping needs of the people of Kirkby and the surrounding area. The proposals will boost the local economy, creating new jobs during and post construction, as well as bringing more shoppers and other local businesses to the town.”
St Modwen acquired the site from Tesco in November 2015 for £35.8m after the supermarket group aborted plans for major new development as part of its turnaround strategy. Tesco once proposed 90 shops in a 300,000 sq ft development.
St Modwen said it is in advanced talks with a “major food store operator keen to commit to Kirkby”.
The St Modwen project team includes Saunders Partnership, architecture and urban design services; Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners, planning consultant; RPS, project manager; Cheetham & Mortimer and Colliers International, agents; Rodgers Leask, structural engineer; Atkins, civil engineer; Crofts, transport and highways consultant; Hopkins & Coats, mechanical and electrical consultant; WSP, acoustics; Urban Green, landscape architect.
