Empty town centre building looks set to be demolished as part of redevelopment plans

An empty town centre building looks set to be demolished as part of redevelopment plans to create new shops.

The proposals would see Evesham’s former Just for Pets store demolished with some of the existing High Street shops – including Poundstretcher which has recently moved into the former Co-op supermarket earlier this year – ‘remodelled’ to make way for three new shop units.

Wychavon District Council’s planning committee meets in Pershore on Thursday with a recommendation from officers that the plan is given the green light.

The town centre’s Swan Lane car park – which sits next to the former Just for Pets building – would also be flattened to make way for up to 49 ‘retirement living’ flats and seven two-bed ‘cottages’ for the over 60s.

Councillors will also be discussing the related flats plan but the right to make a decision has been taken out of the council’s hands after an appeal was launched with a government inspector over the length of time it has taken the council to look at the plan without making a ruling.

The joint plants by Churchill Retirement Living – which is building the housing – and developers Eros – who are in charge of the new units – would also include a new 20-space car park.

The first and second floor offices in the High Street buildings will remain unaffected.

A report, which will be discussed by the planning committee, said: “The development lies within the development boundary of Evesham and therefore is in a sustainable location.

“The development would utilise previously developed land in the re-configuration of an existing retail unit to form three smaller units and proposes a car park which would be an appropriate use in this location and be of economic benefit.

“The development would contribute to some economic and social objectives in terms of short term construction jobs and longer terms gains being within a development boundary and making effective use of land and existing buildings.”

Rooftop Housing has already had its plan to build 27 flats on the corner of Swan Lane and Rynal Street next to the car park approved by councillors in 2020 and the mix of one-and-two-bed flats are currently being built.