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Next phase of Corby town centre
The second phase of Corby town centre regeneration follows hot on the heels of the £40m Willow Place development which opened in October.
The 100m second part of the four-phase scheme will include houses, public spaces, leisure facilities and more shops.
Two further stages in the next 10 years will focus on New Post Office Square and the Oasis Retail Park.
The planning application for phase two – named Evolution Corby – was submitted by Land Securities to councillors last month, but it has taken weeks to process the files.
Now members of the public can visit the council offices and see the blueprints for themselves.
Phase two is the largest ever private investment in Corby town centre since it became a new town in 1950 and new shops will cover an area the size of four football pitches.
Everest Lane and part of Anne Street will cease to exist and Westcott Way will be closed while building work, expected to take three years, is carried out.
Buildings to be demolished include the former Territorial Army centre and shops in Elizabeth Street, including the Evening Telegraph office, the Corby Candle pub, Everest Lane shops, the multi-storey car park, and 29 homes.
This is the first time major buildings and homes in the town have been pulled down to make way for the new development, and not everyone is happy. Caroline Mann, proprietor at Charles Barry barbers in Elizabeth Street, said: "There's no way a barber's shop can pay the sort of money that will be asked for in rent for the second phase. We don't know what our future is going to be."
Cyrill Sellars, 72, of Richmond Road, Corby, has been a regular customer at The Paper Shop, in Everest Lane, for years.
He said: "I've been coming here for 20 years. You get a personal touch."
The plans include a sports centre near the former TA building but details are not known. Shopper Michael Porter, 25, of the Hazel Leys estate, said: "I'm quite surprised at the idea of a leisure centre in town but I think it's a good idea.
"Lots of towns have gyms and there's nowhere around here for indoor sports. We have to go all the way to Lodge Park sports centre.
"As long as there are good facilities, I think it will be well-used."
Annmarie Lawson, of Charnwood Road, Corby, said: "The plans are absolutely marvellous."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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