Progress is being made on Bassetlaw District Council’s government funded regeneration projects.
At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday (14 October), members received an update on several major proposed projects including the Priory Centre and the Creative Village in Worksop, and the North Border School site in Harworth and Bircotes.
They also approved funding adjustments within the Local Regeneration Fund following revised government guidance on delivery timelines and fund distribution.
Cllr Steve Scotthorne, cabinet member for identity, planning and place, said: “These proposed regeneration projects show our continued commitment to deliver developments with real benefits for our communities from accessing services, new facilities, and education provision to town centre improvements.
“From the Priory Centre to the Creative Village Heritage building, we look forward to these projects making good progress over the coming months ahead, subject to planning consents.”
The redevelopment of the Priory Centre aims to create a more modern family focused leisure facility including entertainment and shopping alongside improved pedestrian links, public spaces and a new canal footbridge.
It has already achieved milestones including the appointment of a construction partner, with pre-enabling works on utilities scheduled to take place from November onwards and demolition works planned for early 2026.
It follows delays caused by several different factors including a number of conditions attached to the planning approval that needed to be agreed and discharged before any development could begin.
A new Health Hub is also proposed in the Priory Centre, subject to planning, with an NHS tenant identified to take up part of the building, while early designs for the space have also been produced.
Also going through the planning process is a proposal to extend the Creative Village on Canal Road in Worksop with a second phase.
If approved it will create up to ten educational workshop spaces focused on key growth sectors such as construction, green technologies, and logistics. It hopes to raise educational attainment and expand access to high-skilled, well-paid employment opportunities across the district.
Finally, plans for affordable housing to be built on the former North Border School site in Harworth and Bircotes continue, with planning permission for demolition work granted and an additional planning application submitted to clear the full site to prepare for development.
