STOURPORT Civic Society has submitted notice of its interest in acquiring Bridge Street Car Park from Wyre Forest District Council as part of a community consortium.
The society has said that this has triggered a six-month moratorium to prevent the sale of the site until members have had an opportunity to submit a formal bid.
The civic society recently revealed a new proposed scheme for including 14,000 square feet of commercial, retail and leisure space and 22 new apartments.
It would also enhance the basin area with new quays, footpaths, street trees, and long-term boat moorings. Additionally, it proposes widening the lower part of Engine Lane to improve access to the Engine Basin car park, ensuring safer, more efficient movement of both vehicles and pedestrians.
Chairman of Stourport Civic Society, Andrew Booton said: “We have been holding talks with a number of parties interested in supporting the bid. We remain committed to developing an attractive, viable and sustainable proposal that will link the historic basins and the town centre.
“As well as the car park site, our proposal will aim to solve a number of problems with Bridge Street itself, including road safety and public enjoyment. It will start to repair the street scene that has been damaged by years of inappropriate development, enhancing the Conservation Area and making it more attractive to local businesses, visitors as part of our tourist economy and the people of Stourport.
“Stourport is a beautiful waterside town with so much potential. But that potential has remained largely untapped. The last regeneration scheme around Mart lane and Lichfield Basin finished two decades ago and we haven’t seen significant investment in the town since then. Our proposal seeks to redress that.
"The Civic Society would welcome approaches from other parties who are interested in investing or working together. Initial inquiries should be made via stourport.civic.soc@gmail.com."
The Stourport Civic Society recently submitted a successful Asset of Community Value application to help protect the land after Wyre Forest District Council revealed plans to sell off the car park.
There were previous plans to develop the former Lloyds Garage site into a gateway to town's historic basins after the council acquired the land more than a decade ago.
Wyre Forest District Council recently closed the temporary car park with the view of selling off the land after failing to find a "viable development" for the site.
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