A multi-million pound scheme to redevelop Burton's Bargates site is set to move forward when plans are finally submitted next month, it has been revealed.
It could mean drawings of how the site may look will be revealed when an application to turn it into a mixture of over-55s apartments with shops and a restaurant/café is submitted to council planners for consideration.
It was revealed in September last year, that the site, off High Street, which had been earmarked for the now-mothballed Tesco Extra before concerns over traffic saw the idea shelved, had been taken on by Cannock-based developers Jessup Build Develop.
East Staffordshire Borough Council agreed to the principle of finally disposing of the land which had been home to the former Riverside Shopping Centre and the Superbowl bowling alley, before it was torn down in 2012.
Twelve months have passed since any action on the site has been seen but now the developer has revealed a possible time frame for the first time.
Clive Jessup, managing director for Jessup Build Develop, said: "We are looking to submit an application late September, early October. We are just finalising all the details and reports required for the full application."
It is the latest development in a long-running saga for Bargates which was sold to Tesco in 2007 and led to the closure of Superbowl 2000 as the last remaining business on the site.
However, Tesco sold the land back to the council and set its sights on building a store on the Dixie Sidings, off Hawkins Lane, Burton. This plan was also axed.
Demolition of Bargates finally took place in 2012 and it was turned into a ‘village green’.
Despite news that it could be turned into a housing and retail development, many Burton residents have campaigned for many years to bring bowling back to Burton.
Burton's Bargates
MARCH 2004
Council admits the Riverside Leisure Centre, known as Bargates, had become an embarrassment with just a few units open, including Superbowl 200 which still had 14 years on its lease and had 'no desire to move'.
SEPTEMBER 2004
The council reveals a cafe quarter plan for Bargates with accommodation, bars, cafe and a hotel.
MAY 2005
The Mail exclusively reveals that the council has lined up a deal with Tesco, which would see Bargates turned into a giant Tesco Extra store. The deal in principle included Tesco paying the council £8 million towards the cost of a new leisure centre to replace the Meadowside, which would have been demolished under the plans.
AUGUST 2007
One of the last remaining units on Riverside, Indian restaurant Manzil, moves to the former Ocean nightclub, off Guild Street, where it remains to this day.
AUGUST 19, 2007
Superbowl 2000 closes to make way for the Tesco development. At the time Superbowl owner Jerry Hodges said he was keen to relocate and was looking for a site in Burton.
DECEMBER 2007
The council pulls out of a deal with Tesco to demolish the neighbouring Meadownside Leisure Centre due to sky-rocketing costs. An application for the Riverside Centre is still expected to be submitted.
FEBRUARY 2008
Arsonists strike at former Superbowl 2000.
NOVEMBER 2008
A Tesco plan to build nine glass-fronted retail units on the site is unanimously rejected by council planners after the scheme is branded as "unimaginative".
DECEMBER 1, 2009
Three options are listed for Bargates' future: a residential-led redevelopment, a retail-led redevelopment or a mixture of both.
MAY 30, 2010
Tesco indicates a willingness to relinquish the site and move to the former Condor site, which never came to fruition. Proposals are put forward for a mix of retail, office and residential buildings, including a hotel overlooking the River Trent.
JUNE 3, 2010
Tesco installs large wooden boards to screen the eyesore from public view.
JUNE 15, 2010
East Staffordshire Borough Council announces its intention to appoint a developer by the end of 2010.
SEPTEMBER 21, 2010
Tesco's board of directors agrees the sale of the site to East Staffordshire Borough Council for £4 million.
APRIL 12, 2011
Meanwhile, Tesco is given permission for a superstore in Hawkins Lane. This plan never came to fruition after financial difficulties led Tesco to put the site up for sale.
FEBRUARY 2, 2012
Demolition begins at the Bargates site.
MAY 28, 2012
The council announces Bargates will be turned into a 'village green'.
JULY 4 2012
The council puts up 'The Bargates Job' on the site.
FEBRUARY 21, 2013
The council announces it has full ownership of Bargates and it is up for sale – maintaining the preferred mixed use option in a bid to attract developers.
JULY 15, 2014
Councillors reveal plans to spend part of a £1.5 million grant on making Bargates more attractive. It came after work started to improve the appearance of shops opposite, to show the authority was keen to regenerate High Street.
MAY 2015
Councillor Richard Grosvenor, leader of East Staffordshire Borough Council, said the authority was hoping to work in partnership with other agencies to bring sheltered housing to the site.
JANUARY 2016
A major developer is in talks to buy Bargates but discussions break down in March.
AUGUST 2016
Contractors were spotted drilling on the site to ascertain the site's development costs.
SEPTEMBER 2016
It is revealed a deal has been struck for offices and extra-care facilities on Bargates.
AUGUST 2017
Developer Jessup Build Develop reveals a planning application could be submitted in September.
December 2017
Jessup Build Develop submit planning application to East Staffordshire Borough Council
January 2018
Jessup Build Develop hold public consultation at Meadowside Leisure Centre. Burton Civic Society formally objects to the proposals
February 2018
The consultation period ends and objections submitted by Burton Parish Council and Burton Bridge Brewery are revealed.
January 2019
Amended plans to the original application are submitted, which includes increasing car parking and reducing the amount of homes and trees on site