Exploiting its position on the Eastern Mainline and surrounded by some of the UK’s largest cities, South Kesteven District Council, in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council, have put forward the Grantham Growth Programme. The project will transform the town with new offices, leisure and retail amenities, and the pedestrianised ‘Station Square’, to become “a distinctive gateway to the town centre”.
With a population projected to grow by up to 30% by 2026, and with several major developments in the pipeline, Grantham aims to become a UK business hub. This status is already being recognised by an increasing flow of companies investing in the town.
Grantham’s vision for 2026, to be a “bigger, better and balanced town”, is being delivered by several major developments that will completely transform Grantham town into a thriving, modern, cultural and economic hub.
Supported by the Government, and having already secured more than £6m in funding, the programme concentrates on four key areas: the Town Centre, the Canal Basin, the North West Quadrant and the South West Quadrant.
Mark Williets, Head of Development and Growth at South Kesteven District Council, said: “Our plans have been well received on a local and national level and we have been delighted with the progress made. These ambitious plans will rightly see Grantham more widely recognised as a choice destination to live, work and visit.”
Grantham Growth is creating sites that will be the impetus behind 7,000 new homes, and several office, retail and leisure developments, creating 4,000 new jobs.
Councillor Eddy Poll, Economic Development portfolio holder at Lincolnshire County Council, added: “Grantham is an historic town, which, thanks to its strategic location, has the potential to become a sub-regional centre of some importance. Over the next few years, Grantham will grow rapidly and Lincolnshire County Council is pleased to be able to help unlock the full potential of the town.”
Station Approach: Well Connected
Station Approach is one of the first and most important developments in the plan, and is already underway and on schedule. Simon Wright, Places Manager at Lincolnshire County Council said: “Station Approach will be transformed from an under-used landscape of car parks and industrial units into a distinctive gateway to the town centre.
The project will also create a clear link between the railway station and the town centre and, in the new Station Square, provide a recognisable gateway to Grantham.”
The four-hectare site, positioned next to the East Coast Mainline, offers regular services to London and most of the UK’s major city centre’s and is close to the town centre.
Interest in the site is being spurred by its connectivity with both the north and south of England. Station Approach is well connected, situated on the A1 road, which affords easy access to the national motorway network, and, as a result, into some of the UK’s biggest cities. The town sits amid a cluster of major international airports, the closest being East Midlands Airport within an hour’s drive. (Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool can all be reached within two hours.)
With a journey time of an hour to London by rail, Grantham promotes itself as an attractive commuter town. Station Approach will serve to strengthen its offer. A number of office developments included in the Grantham Growth plans will also address one of the town’s previous weaknesses - a lack of office space. Under new plans, the town will be able to fulfil the demand for commercial premises and sustain the predicted influx and expansion of Grantham businesses.
New Business Hub in England:
Station Approach Draft Development Brief outlines plans for a mixed-use development comprising approximately 12,800 sq m of office space, 5,210 sq m of industrial space; a pedestrianised boulevard connecting the station and the town centre; a town square to create a distinctive entrance into Grantham; ancillary retail space to accommodate residents and commuters; a hotel; public transport interchange; car parking, and an innovation and incubation centre.
Simon Wright, Growth Point Manager at Lincolnshire County Council said: “The aim is not only to encourage visitors to the town centre but, more importantly, to create a new business hub, encourage economic development and provide employment opportunities.”
For more information on doing business in South Kesteven, please see their listing.
