Cattle Market site regeneration a step closer

Empty for twelve years, development at the final section of the old Cattle Market site near Rugby railway station had stalled, but with a new permission for development granted the way has been opened for the regeneration of the site to be completed.

Previous development at the old Cattle Market includes social housing, an extra care home and a medical centre, but plans to develop market housing on the remainder of the site fell through when the original developer went bust.

With changing market conditions no replacement developer could be found, but now a scheme to build 360 one- and two-bed flats for rent promoted by an alternative developer has been given the go-ahead.

Cllr Jill Simpson-Vince, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for growth and investment, said: “The cattle market site is a key regeneration site that can enhance the whole station area with the right development.

“Located on the edge of the town centre and just 100m from the station, it is probably the most sustainable site in Rugby for high-intensity development such as the four blocks that have been proposed.

“And with no other build-to-rent housing within Rugby it provides a valuable contribution to our unmet housing need.

With a new planning approval now in place I am hopeful that this eyesore site will soon be transformed, bringing a welcome boost to this historic part of the town.”

The planning permission was granted subject to conditions at the council’s first ever virtual planning committee meeting, live-streamed via YouTube on Wednesday (24 June 2020).

It is hoped that the planning approval will lead to a sale of the site to the developer, with work on site possible by next year.