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Stafford Town Centre Development Framework

Stafford Town Centre Development Framework,

Stafford

Development Management, Regeneration, Viability in Planning
Sector:
Mixed Use
Client:
Stafford Borough Council
Value:
£22m

Stafford Borough Council is progressing an ambitious regeneration programme to transform a significant area of Stafford Town Centre and create a vibrant, mixed-use destination. Following the acquisition and clearance of a number of key town centre sites, the Council required a clear Development Framework to establish how these strategically important sites could be brought forward for redevelopment.

Continuum was appointed to lead the preparation of the Development Framework, working alongside Stafford Borough Council and Arkle Boyce Architects. Our approach was to lead with viability from the outset, ensuring that the Framework was shaped around what could realistically be delivered rather than simply what could be designed.

Through detailed development appraisals, market engagement and testing of alternative delivery models, Continuum helped establish a commercially informed framework that balanced the Council’s regeneration ambitions with market demand, development costs and the practical requirements of delivery. This ensured that the Framework provided not only a strong vision for Stafford Town Centre, but a credible basis from which individual development opportunities could progress.

Services Provided

Continuum provided development management, commercial and viability support throughout the preparation of the Development Framework. Services included:

  • Managing the preparation of the Development Framework and coordinating the multidisciplinary project team

  • Undertaking soft market testing with developers, investors, operators and public sector partners

  • Advising on appropriate land uses, development capacity and the positioning of individual development opportunities

  • Undertaking detailed development viability appraisals across the proposed development parcels

  • Testing alternative development and delivery scenarios to understand their commercial implications

  • Supporting the development of proposals for a new Market Hall within the former Guildhall site

  • Advising the Council on potential procurement and delivery models for the different development parcels

  • Supporting engagement with Members, senior Council officers, businesses, stakeholders and the wider community

Outputs

The Stafford Town Centre Development Framework was approved by Cabinet in April 2026 and provides a clear, market-informed blueprint for the next phase of the town centre regeneration programme. Key outputs include:

  • A coordinated Development Framework establishing the development principles for the regeneration area

  • Six defined development areas covering residential, mixed-use, education, Market Hall and public realm opportunities

  • Capacity identified for up to 200 new homes, over 3,000m² of commercial space including a new Market Hall, 6,000m² of education space to support the expansion of Stafford College and almost 3,000m² of enhanced and better-connected public realm

  • Development proposals tested through direct engagement with the private sector

  • Detailed viability evidence to inform future development and investment decisions

  • Identification and testing of alternative procurement and delivery approaches

  • A clear platform for progressing individual development opportunities from strategy into procurement and delivery

  • Supported the Council in undertaking soft market engagement with public and private sector partners to test market appetite, delivery options and the commercial assumptions underpinning the Development Framework

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