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St Austell's new residential scheme gets underway
20 January 2009
Work has now started on the three residential blocks paving the
way for seventy apartments within St Austell's £75 million town
centre regeneration scheme, which is due to open this autumn.
Sir Robert McAlpine, the main contractor appointed by the South
West RDA for White River Place, has begun to erect the three-storey
building on South Street which will be followed by the construction
of the two residential blocks on Trinity Street from
mid-February.
£31.5 million is being invested in the project by the South West
RDA with the rest of the funding coming from White River
Developments Ltd. The reinforced concrete frame for the underground
550 space, three-storey car park and retail unit is due to be
completed by the end of next month. Two-storey steel frame
structures forming the retail units from the newly formed streets
(adjacent to Trinity Street and next to White River Cinema) are
progressing well on schedule and it is anticipated that these steel
structures will be fully erected by mid-February. Roof coverings
and external wall finishes will start in early February and
continue into the summer months.
Mechanical and electrical installations are currently being
installed in the car park together with the construction of block
walls to form the main loading bay for retailers, off Trinity
Street. Work to connect drains and new services in both Trinity
Street and South Street are also due to be carried out.
Phase one of the scheme is now complete with the official
opening of the four-screen White River Cinema before Christmas. The
next retailer to open within the same building will be Frankie and
Benny's - the New York Italian restaurant and bar. Others confirmed
for White River Place include coffee shop Starbucks, fashion
outlets New Look and Peacocks, high street bank HBoS and garden and
home store Wilkinson. There will be a mix of shops, residential
accommodation, restaurants, cafes and bars once complete in the
autumn.
Jeremy Dunn, Professional Services Manager for Cornwall &
the Isles of Scilly at the South West RDA said: "Given the current
global financial climate, it is particularly heartening and
encouraging to see such excellent progress being made on the St
Austell town centre redevelopment scheme, with local contractors
and businesses central to its success. Investing in priority places
to unlock the business potential of St Austell is the focus for the
South West RDA throughout this exciting sustainable project and we
very much look forward to its completion later this year."
Leader of Restormel Borough Council, Annette Egerton commented:
"The opening of the new White River Cinema was hugely successful
and highly significant in the overall redevelopment of St Austell
town centre. It is very pleasing to know that this is the first of
many new businesses to open in White River Place and we look
forward to more people visiting the town during 2009 to see how we
are building a better St Austell."
Between 500 and 700 new jobs are expected to be created once the
scheme is fully open and all retailers trading. The South West RDA
and Sir Robert McAlpine are committed to using local
subcontractors, materials and suppliers throughout the lifetime of
the construction phase.
Ends
For more information contact Ryan Martinez, Account Manager, on
01208 77900 or via ryan@dca-pr.co.uk
Notes to Editors
1. The South West RDA leads the development of a sustainable
economy, investing to unlock the region's business potential. It
works in partnership with public, private and social purpose
organisations to drive up the region's productivity by giving
people the skills they need, encouraging enterprise, improving
infrastructure, regenerating places, and promoting the strengths of
the region.
2. The RDA has committed a total of £31.66 million to the £75
million town centre scheme, of which £26.5 million has already been
spent, much of it in recent years on preparing the site, including
the acquisition and demolition of a number of buildings.
3. The St Austell town centre redevelopment will include 155,000
sq ft of new retail accommodation on three levels, 20,000 sq ft for
restaurants, cafés and bars, a new four-screen cinema, a 550-space
multi-storey car park and 70 apartments. Unit sizes range from
1,560 sq ft to 40,000 sq ft.
Contact Details
Name Ryan Martinez
Tel 01208 77900
Email ryan@dca-pr.co.uk