Ambitious plans have been unveiled for the transformation of Mansfield town centre with the launch of a masterplan.
Mansfield District Council’s draft town centre masterplan provides a vision and delivery plan that will guide new development over the next 15 years, while preserving the town’s industrial history and heritage assets.
The council aims to work with partners and alongside private developers and investors to create a mixed-use town centre with more food and drink, workspace, employment, cultural, leisure and educational uses that would increase the number of visitors. There is also a focus on providing quality housing for all ages, more greenery and new open spaces and a strong independent retail scene.
The 100-page document provides guidance for the future redevelopment of 16 key sites, with various exciting, forward-thinking options that would completely transform Mansfield into a vibrant place where more people want to spend time and money.
The masterplan looks at potential options for each quarter of the town as well as for specific buildings including The Town Mill, Beales and the Four Seasons Shopping Centre.
In the Market and West Gate quarter, major projects could include student accommodation at Clumber House and redesigning Mansfield Market Place into a garden square suitable for a variety of uses including markets and events alongside a new green public space for the town.
In the Church Street area, plans show how the sensitive redevelopment of White Hart Street could potentially create quality urban homes and a new park on Toothill Lane. The plan breathes new life into the Old Town Mill for commercial use.
The Station area could be redeveloped to create a real sense of arrival for people travelling by bus or train and shows how Beales could be turned into a hub for public services.
In Stockwell Gate and Four Seasons, the document explores options for the long-term future of retail for the shopping centre, Rosemary Street and Stockwell Gate, which would bring in a combination of retail, leisure, homes and office space.
The masterplan explores adding activity to the iconic arches of the viaduct, the creation of outdoor dining as well as new spaces for play and exercise, and the use of lighting and art installations.
Each potential scheme and project could be further considered for delivery in the short (1 to 5 years), medium (5 to 10 years) or long term (10 years+). They would be subject to funding and securing planning permission and any future highways works would need to be agreed by Nottinghamshire County Council as the Highways Authority.
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “The masterplan is the most significant planning document that the people of Mansfield will have seen for generations. The vision and aspiration we have for the town is ambitious, and rightly so.
“It is also controversial in presenting various options that would fundamentally transform spaces and reposition Mansfield as a quality place to live, work and visit. We want to see a cleaner, greener town centre with new open spaces where people and businesses can thrive.
“The historic fabric of the town centre will be preserved and visitors and residents will be better connected with safer access and movement around town.
“The Masterplan is our best version of Mansfield, it values public space and heritage whilst providing what is needed for future generations. We hope that our residents and businesses will be inspired and see a bright future for Mansfield.”
The masterplan will support work that is already underway on the Towns Fund Investment Plan and the preparation of future funding submissions for the Levelling Up Fund and the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. It also sets a planning blueprint for private sector development and investment.
Consultants Allies and Morrison in partnership with Cushman & Wakefield (deliverability and viability specialists) and Urban Flow (transport specialists) were appointed to prepare the masterplan on behalf of the council.
The masterplan will be presented to members of the council’s Overview and Scrutiny Committee (Place) at a meeting on 28 September and the Portfolio Holder Cllr Stuart Richardson will then be asked to consider approving a six-week public consultation, which is expected to start in mid-October. The Masterplan would then be considered by Full Council in December, ahead of its planned adoption in the new year.
You can view the draft masterplan here.