A DERELICT site in a prime location has taken a significant step towards regeneration after planning approval for four apartment blocks was granted at a meeting.
Development at the final section of the old Cattle Market site near Rugby railway station, which has been empty for 12 years, had stalled – but the way has been opened for the regeneration of the site to be completed now the new permission has been granted.
Previous developments at the old Cattle Market include social housing, an extra care home and a medical centre, but plans to develop market housing on the remainder of the site fell through when the original developer went bust.
No replacement developer could be found – but now a scheme to build 360 one and two-bed flats for rent promoted by an alternative developer has been given the go-ahead.
Rugby Borough Council’s growth and investment spokeswoman Coun Jill Simpson-Vince said: “The cattle market site is a key regeneration site that can enhance the whole station area with the right development.
“Located on the edge of the town centre and just 100m from the station, it is probably the most sustainable site in Rugby for high-intensity development such as the four blocks that have been proposed.
“And with no other build-to-rent housing within Rugby it provides a valuable contribution to our unmet housing need.
“With a new planning approval now in place I am hopeful that this eyesore site will soon be transformed, bringing a welcome boost to this historic part of the town.”
The planning permission was granted subject to conditions at the council’s first ever virtual planning committee meeting, live-streamed via YouTube on Wednesday (June 24).
It is hoped the planning approval will lead to a sale of the site to the developer, with work on site possible by next year.
