Mason Moore | Hinckley Reporter | 31 January 2021

A PLANNING application has been formally submitted to Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council to transform and regenerate Abbey Street in Nuneaton town centre.

The newly-submitted planning application seeks permission to build a new 125-room hotel, living accommodation, a new cinema and leisure complex, food hall, retail units, and car parking spaces.

The development forms part of the ‘Transforming Nuneaton’ partnership between Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, a regeneration plan which was first announced publicly back in November 2018.

The exciting Abbey Street plans were green-lit back by the Borough Council’s Cabinet last October when their masterplan was approved.

Whilst the development sees land on Abbey Street used, the ‘Transforming Nuneaton’ plans will see part of the town’s former Co-operative department store and their once-offices used again, as well as the Abbey Street car park, and Queens Road.

Last December (December 2020), the Borough Council and their Strategic Development Partner, Queensberry, conducted a consultation for the development.

As a part of the online consultation events, residents, local businesses, and stakeholders, were all given the opportunity to ask questions and provide their feedback.

A detailed website showcasing the ambitious plans was launched online at the aptly-named site, www.abbeystreetdevelopment.co.uk.

Councillor Julie Jackson, Leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “It is great news that the Planning Application for this development has now been submitted.

“We are working hard with our partners on bringing forward proposals for both Nuneaton and Bedworth town centres, and this marks another important step towards achieving our vision for the site as well as our ambitions for ‘Transforming Nuneaton’.

“The online consultation events and informative website proved to be popular. We gained a lot of feedback from our residents during the consultation process which will go a long way to shape the vision for the development and ensure that it is aligned with what local people want.”

Councillor Izzi Seccombe, Leader of Warwickshire County Council and Portfolio Holder for Economic Development, said: “It is great to see that the Transforming Nuneaton programme is continuing to progress. 

“It remains a key priority of the county council and our partners. We will be looking to release further details of the Masterplan in the coming weeks for Vicarage Street.

“Transforming Nuneaton is a programme that we are undertaking with the residents and businesses of Nuneaton and their input is absolutely vital to us. 

“I’m pleased that the consultation proved popular and that we are having that all-important local engagement.”