Agreement signed and sealed for Bus Station Site by Liberal Democrat led council

Liberal Democrat run Hinckley and Bosworth council and Bus Station development partners, The Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership have signed a Development Agreement which sees both parties legally committed to work together to redevelop Hinckley's town centre bus station site.

The Tin Hat Regeneration Partnership comprising Wilson Bowden Developments

and Centenary Ashcroft were selected last year by the council and their

advisers, as the preferred development partner for this landmark project.

This followed a rigorous selection process and public consultation, when all

three of the three short listed schemes went on display in the town last

summer. Additionally, the Tin Hat Partnership' s concept proved to be the

most popular with the public.

Since the selection process, the Council and The Tin Hat Regeneration

Partnership have been working together closely in evolving the proposals and

securing the Development Agreement.

A planning application for the scheme, known as The Crescent, is due to be

submitted by Spring 2010 and will comprise a major new food store,

Hinckley's first multiplex cinema, restaurants, new shops and a 500 plus

space car park.

A start on site is expected in 2012 with a scheme opening in 2014. Further

consultation will take place with local residents and businesses on the

scheme during September, ahead of the planning application.

Liberal Democrat Council leader, David Bill, said: "I am delighted that we have passed this important milestone bringing forward the redevelopment of the Bus Station site and in particular the delivery of a multiplex cinema which the

Borough's residents have wanted for so long. I am also pleased that the bus

station will be modernised and hope that this will encourage the use of

public transport. The design of the new centre complements the street scene

of central Hinckley and will improve the variety of shopping available in

the town."