Work due to start on Parkgate

WORK will begin on the long-awaited Parkgate scheme in Shirley by the end of May and could be completed in time for Christmas 2013 - it has been announced this week.

Developers Shirley Advance made the announcement about the controversial £85million project today (Wednesday) and are hoping the news will put an end to the years of debate and argument about the project which has received a mixed response from traders, residents, action groups, councillors and MPs.

Speaking to The Observer Shirley Advance's Robert Birch said that despite several delays which had been out of the company's hands, they were delighted Parkgate would now become a reality.

“Parkgate will help to halt the ongoing decline seen in Shirley Town Centre over recent years," he added.

"It will also act as a catalyst for further investment in the area."

The developer has come under fire in recent weeks from critics who have accused it of delaying and even failing on the project.

But Mr Birch used this week's announcement to silent those critics.

He said: "Given the fact that we have managed to get to where we have, in the face of everything that has happened over the past few years, we have not failed. On the contrary, we have clearly succeeded."

Parkgate’ will provide:

• Around 20 new shops alongside an ASDA superstore and some cafes and restaurants.

• Residential townhouses and apartments (including 40 per cent affordable housing) as well as retirement living apartments.

• £500k of improvements to Shirley Park.

• Over 500 basement car parking spaces, which will be free of charge for all visitors for at least three hours.

• Public toilets and a Shopmobility facility.

• Improvements to The Royal British Legion and First Shirley Scout Group HQ and the opportunity for Shirley Baptist Church to redevelop its existing facilities with a brand new frontage onto Parkgate.

• Significant improvements to the roads in the surrounding area.