The proposals, which form part of Harlow Council's town centre regeneration plans, were approved by the council’s Development Management Committee. The overhaul will be made possible thanks to government support secured by the council as part of its successful £23.7m Towns Fund bid.
The planning permission makes way to develop a new transport hub and interchange for Harlow bus services, as well as a cycle hub and dramatic improvements to the area's public realm amenities and landscaping.
Works, which are due to start in the coming months, will deliver:
• The entire redevelopment of the bus station and Terminus Street
• A new single-storey transport hub to the north of the site, with green space and a canopy covered waiting area
• A cycle hub to the south with storage space for up to 80 cycles
• Flexible events space
• A new exit for buses from Terminus Street onto Crown Gate
• Transformation of Terminus Street
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• The removal of the bridge connecting East Walk and Terminus House
• A new entry area to Terminus House, with a lift to serve the first and second floors
• Works to the existing Terminus House bin store.
The development will support both existing public transport routes and proposed sustainable transport corridor routes, which will promote walking and cycling, as part of the development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town. The inclusion of green areas and an events space will also help to transform the overall character of the area and create a welcoming environment.
Commenting on the approval of the proposals, Councillor Dan Swords, Deputy Leader of the Council, said: "This is another major step forward for the regeneration of the town centre following the recent purchases of Occasio House and the Harvey Centre, the £46 million investment from Strawberry Star and the many other plans that are coming into fruition – all in line with our Town Centre Masterplan.
"This transformation of Terminus Street and the entire rebuilding of the bus station area will completely overhaul a run-down part of the town centre into a welcoming gateway into Harlow's new town centre. The new transport hub will allow for sustainable transport and cycling and will be built to the highest quality, with fantastic landscaping, public realm and build quality. This has all been made possible by the £23.7 million Towns Fund investment from the government which will also transform Broad Walk too – seamlessly connecting the new gateway into the town centre with the high street.
"This is truly a historic moment for our town as the regeneration of the town centre motors on with construction work starting shortly. We are delivering on the council’s commitment to entirely rebuild our town centre and to restore pride in our town. We are also continuing our work with all our other regeneration priorities for the town, like building new council homes, repairing existing council homes and restoring pride in the town."
