Town’s developments are building a positive future
MP HOPES INVESTMENT WILL BRING PROSPERITY TO MANSFIELD
MP Ben Bradley believes exciting new developments provide a positive outlook for the future of the town.
Mr Bradley talked about the progress of the 1,700-home Lindhurst Development and the Stockwell Gate project, among others.
As well as the new properties, construction on the Lindhurst Development will also bring industrial units, a primary school, a doctors’ surgery, and leisure and commercial business properties.
Mr Bradley has said that unlocking the next phase “hopefully includes a school in it.”
He said: “The first few phases of it have been built.
“Earlier in the year we got some funding from government to open the next link road which is in progress now and due to finish in March time.
“This will unlock the next phase of it which hopefully includes a school in it.
“Then, at the other end of the estate, there’s a community square with shops and bits and pieces.
“It’s the nature of the world, if you want investment in local infrastructure and services you’ve got to have development at the end of the day, so development on that scale is a good thing in that it brings in a lot of money in terms of those investments.
“But because of the scale of it, it also brings its own community, it will have its own bus service, it will have its own school.
“It doesn’t impact on the wider area in the way that it does when you just build lots of housing everywhere.
“I think that’s positive and the more we can attract people who want to come and live in Mansfield, particularly on estates that are affluent areas, those people pay their council tax, they spend their money in the town centre, it helps us grow the economy and public services so I think it’s a positive thing.”
Mr Bradley also shared his thoughts on the progress of the Stockwell Gate development, which will see the former bus station turned into a 100-bed hotel with three restaurants on site.
The site, which has been underused since it became vacant in 2013, will welcome the popular eaterie Tim Hortons, Taco Bell and a Domino’s.
Mr Bradley revealed that private investment of around
£17 million demonstrates the sort of momentum the plan has behind it.
He added: “As well as the Town Funding, we’re also getting private sector investment, which is great. “We’ve seen the Travelodge built on the other side of town. “And now we’ve got more investment in hotels and restaurants.
“I think that area is particularly important because the old bus station is an eyesore - it’s the first thing you see when you come into town and it’s a big, empty skeleton of a derelict building.
“Not a great look so I think it’s a huge opportunity and, again, £17 million-odd private sector investment, and it will open up all of Stockwell Gate as well.
“If you can imagine 10 years from now you’ve got new facilities there, you’ve got a new hub - it might be Beales, it might be Four Seasons.
“All of that Stockwell Gate bit that’s kind of run-down now becomes a busy part of town which I think will be really beneficial. I think the fact that the private sector are investing in these sites near the town centre as well is a really positive thing and shows some kind of momentum.”
If you want investment in local infrastructure and services you’ve got to have development.
Ben Bradley MP