St Albans city centre redevelopment plans being drawn up by contractors following community review

Designs to redevelop an area in the heart of St Albans are a step closure to fruition.Following a community design review in January, St Albans district council (SADC) are putting together proposals for the City Centre Opportunity Site South (CCOS).This is a £60million redevelopment around the Alban Arena, of the former police station on Victoria Road, a former NHS clinic on Civic Close and some adjoining land.Private firm Angle Property had planning permission for two six storey buildings on the site, but new plans are being drawn up by SADC contractors after the authority bought the land in 2017.The changed proposals may include a number of affordable and private homes, commercial space, and car parking.Recommendations that came from the design review include the creation of more prominent corners, the use of Staffordshire blue brick or York stone, and buildings to enclosure a new public space on Victoria Street on its south and west side.If SADC goes ahead after a cost analysis, the new designs will be reviewed again and will require a new planning application.In the meantime, asbestos is being removed from the former police station and NHS clinic before they are demolished in June.SADC’s Cabinet was updated on the CCOS South designs on February 28.