A MAJOR £85 million waterside community in Worcester is on the cards as part of a major regeneration scheme to be assessed by city council chiefs.
Proposals for Lowesmoor Wharf are set to completely transform the 3.2-acre canalside site, situated off Lowesmoor Terrace. The development will provide 330,000 sq ft of home, office and retail space, while also creating a vibrant urban destination.
The site, which currently contains a mix of industrial and warehouse units, is designated as an area for redevelopment within the Worcester City Centre Masterplan and is located within the Canalside quarter of the city.
Designed by award-winning architects Apt, the proposed scheme will feature seven buildings of varied height containing 271 apartments, 30,000 sq ft of office, 9,000 sq ft of retail and 8,400 sq ft of food and entertainment space.
It will also provide 465 bicycle storage spaces for residents, a further 218 for public use and 10 electric vehicle (EV) charging points promoting a car-free environment and supporting better air quality.
Matt Chandler, associate director at developer Godwin Developments, said: “Our vision is to deliver a lifestyle-led destination similar to other standout schemes – such as Gloucester Docks and Eagles Works in Oxford.
“We plan to transform the former canals into water features, paying homage to the rich canal history of Worcester and the wider Midlands region. These will provide a focal point of the development and its new waterside apartments, cafes and restaurants, proposed as a part of the scheme.”
In keeping with its history, Lowesmoor Wharf will refurbish some of the existing buildings and provide canal-inspired features that form part of the site. The retained buildings along with the new archway designs and materials used will give the scheme a sense of character and identity.
The development will also feature new public squares and morning/sunset terraces, creating pedestrianised open spaces which are both appealing and instantly recognisable.
Speaking about the development, Cathedral Coun Jabba Riaz said: “This is a really welcomed, innovative scheme which has gone through comprehensive consultation.
“The plans for Lowesmoor Wharf will regenerate a tired and old part of the city, making full use of the canal, which is historic to Worcester. The scheme will increase connectivity, improve air quality and go some way to providing much-needed housing.”
Lowesmoor Wharf is located just under a five-minute walk from Worcester city centre, and sits between the key railway stations in the city centre, Worcester Foregate Street and Worcester Shrub Hill, giving residents access to the city’s extensive transport links and the wider West Midlands.
