Tibbalds CampbellReith JV to complete £150,000 masterplan for Sutton Coldfield town centre

The Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Centre Regeneration Partnership (TCRP) has commissioned specialist urban design and planning experts Tibbalds CampbellReith joint venture team, to begin work on a £150,000 masterplan for Royal Sutton Coldfield town centre.

With a wealth of experience in developing masterplans for UK-based urban regeneration projects, the Tibbalds CampbellReith’s JV team completing Phase One of the masterplan includes The Retail Group, Urban Movement and SQW, led by Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design.

The TCRP – which includes representatives of Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Birmingham City Council, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), FOLIO Sutton Coldfield, Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District, Greater Birmingham and Transport for West Midlands – will work closely with the team to deliver the new vision for a reimagined town centre.

The programme of work will involve detailed engagement with town centre land owners and local shop owners followed by a full public consultation in early 2020. Delivery of Phase One of the masterplan is expected at the end of April 2020.

Chief Executive Officer of the Town Council, Olive O’Sullivan said:

“The Town Council is delighted that Tibbalds CampbellReith has been commissioned to carry out the first phase of the £150,000 masterplan and is confident that they will successfully deliver this vital piece of work to map out a new vision for our town centre.

“A consultation recently carried out by the Town Council on our Strategic Plan for 2020 – 2023 confirmed that the future of the town centre is the biggest concern for residents and local businesses. This masterplan will be created with the input of residents and businesses to ensure we deliver a town centre we can all be really proud of. What is clear is that town centres have to change and it’s vital that ours is at the vanguard of these changes. Royal Sutton Coldfield is a great place to live and work. Let’s ensure we have a town centre that reflects this.”

The £150,000 masterplan has been funded by Royal Sutton Coldfield Town Council, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership and Sutton Coldfield Business Improvement District.

Associate at Tibbalds Planning and Urban Design, Richard Crutchley, said:

“Sutton Coldfield is a unique town with unrealised potential, and we now have the opportunity to usher in a new chapter that will allow us to respond to the local community’s needs and aspirations and recognise new development opportunities – all in harmony.

“Our goal is a deliverable masterplan that will boost the economic, social, and environmental status of the town centre, which is responsive to the concerns of the people who live and work there, and giving the town the strong distinctiveness it deserves.”

Tim Pile, Chair of GBSLEP, said:

“Regenerating and supporting the growth of our region’s town centres is one of the primary objectives for the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership, and this funding will act as a catalyst for the delivery of this programme of improvements and enhancements.

“The new town centre masterplan will undoubtedly bring positive benefits to both the residents of Sutton Coldfield and local businesses. Along with everyone who calls the town home, we’re looking forward to seeing the plans progress and deliver real change.”

TibbaldsCampbellReith was selected under the Homes England multidisciplinary framework, which gives Homes England and other public sector bodies rapid and cost-effective access to professionals who will help deliver new development. Local authorities, healthcare trusts and authorities, education establishments, registered providers and government departments can all use the framework at no cost.