Plans approved for redevelopment of bus station

The £15 million major regeneration of the town centre’s bus station and Terminus Street area took a major step forward in January as councillors approved redevelopment plans for the area.

The proposals, which form part of Harlow Council’s town centre regeneration plans, were approved by the council’s Development Management Committee. The overhaul will be made possible thanks to government support secured by the council as part of its successful £23.7 million Towns Fund bid.

The planning permission makes way to develop a new transport hub and interchange for Harlow bus services, as well as a cycle hub and dramatic improvements to the area’s public realm amenities and landscaping.

Works, which are due to start in the coming months, will deliver:

• The entire redevelopment of the bus station and Terminus Street

• A new single-storey transport hub to the north of the site, with green space and a canopy covered waiting area

• A cycle hub to the south with storage space for up to 80 cycles

• Flexible events space

• A new exit for buses from Terminus Street onto Crown Gate

• Transformation of Terminus Street

• The removal of the bridge connecting East Walk and Terminus House

• A new entry area to Terminus House, with a lift to serve the first and second floors

• Works to the existing Terminus House bin store

The development will support both existing public transport routes and proposed sustainable transport corridor routes, which will promote walking and cycling, as part of the development of Harlow and Gilston Garden Town.

The inclusion of green areas and an events space will also help to transform the overall character of the area and create a welcoming environment.

Government awards £20 million for town centre regeneration

Harlow Council has successfully secured £20 million of government funding to transform Playhouse Square and College Square.

The scheme has been backed with funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund which was announced on 18 January of this year.

The area will be transformed into an arts and cultural quarter as part of the regeneration of Harlow town centre, with live music, performance, studio and creative spaces for artists, upgrades to the Playhouse and a contemporary bar and café.

There will also be a new art gallery, a green pocket park with natural play installations, accessibility improvements to the area and upgrades to the Haydens Road underpass.

The scheme will bring together a diverse range of artistic, entertainment, cultural and heritage disciplines to establish a regional hub of innovative and engaging events and activities.

The iconic Playhouse Theatre and St Paul’s Church will remain at the heart of the area.

As part the scheme’s delivery the council purchased Occasio House in December, which will be demolished and replaced with new high-quality residential apartments. The council’s purchase of the Harvey Centre also presents the opportunity to integrate part of the centre into the regeneration scheme.

Ahead of the council submitting its bid back in July, extensive public consultation took place. There was strong support for the scheme with the new proposals receiving increased backing from the public. Comments included:

“This is a really exciting proposal and one that would revive part of the town centre that is currently underutilised.”

“Investing in opportunities in the Arts for young people and all ages can only have benefits for the local community and surrounding areas.”

“There is a clear need to enhance the economic and socio heart of Harlow and we consider this Levelling Up Fund application to be a critical catalyst to the next stage of the town’s investment.”

“Make this happen! The town is in desperate need of an injection of investment.”

“This proposal will give the Playhouse and its surroundings additional 21st century attractions in a friendly multipurpose style, increasing the appeal inclusively while benefiting all the town centre.”