BUSINESSES are refusing to relocate and make way for the town’s planned Canal Quarter.
A regeneration of part of Stratford’s canal would see 1,000 new homes built together with accommodation for businesses.
The planned development close to the town centre would see currently ‘under-used’ land the equivalent size of around 27 football pitches transformed.
Stratford District Council said any businesses already based at the site would have the option of relocating to nearby Alcester Road or Atherstone Airfield.
But one of the “main companies” has refused to relocate to the new site and told the council it would only move to a site Shipston Road close to the Waitrose store.
The council is considering the move saying it would help implement the Canal Quarter plan.
Details of the scheme are contained in a consultation by the district council looking at where new businesses and homes should go.
But county councillor for the area, Kate Rolfe, says all businesses should be persuaded to move to the proposed sites.
She said: “It’s extremely worrying that the district council’s plans seem to be unravelling so quickly.
“The Canal Quarter regeneration zone was a major feature of the Core Strategy, yet it seems many of the businesses in the area aren’t willing to re-locate to the sites specifically allocated in the plan for that purpose – so we see yet another commercial estate on the edge of town.
“I am strongly opposed to this development and will be challenging the council’s cabinet over this and asking them to explain what efforts they have made to persuade businesses to re-locate to the planned sites and why these efforts have failed.”
The document contained in the Site Allocations Plan suggests the move should be considered.
A spokeswoman for Stratford District Council said: “The council is consulting on the option of identifying a site on the Shipston Road to further assist with delivering the regeneration of the Canal Quarter.
“The regeneration of the Canal Quarter is a key component of the Core Strategy and it is right that the council continues to work to deliver this important regeneration of the town including exploring new options where necessary and appropriate.
“The council will of course take on board comments received through the consultation in relation to the suitability or otherwise of this site. The technical work undertaken by officers concluded that this was the only potential site.”
