Coalville Regeneration Framework Coalville, UK
Coalville is a product of the Industrial Revolution: a former pit town at the heart of Leicestershire’s coal mining district.
Its prosperity continued well into the 20th century but the decline of mining and eventual closures left the town searching for a new identity. The town is ringed by seven strong settlements and further substantial urban extensions are set to deliver an additional 3,500 homes.
Although Coalville is the principal town, it is competing with its near neighbours as an attractive service and retail centre, and needs to perform better to reduce leakage outwards.
Likened to ‘a donut without the jam’, the aim of the regeneration framework is to draw people from the surrounding villages into a revitalised town centre by ‘turning grey to green’, and by putting the ‘heart’ back into the town centre.
The approach to regeneration is the culmination of years of listening and builds on previous studies.
It is based on the simple place-based strategy of four squares linked by vibrant, people-friendly streets. Existing buildings have been refurbished and new uses found for them, tired shopfronts have been refreshed and several public realm improvements are at an advanced stage of design.
Coalville’s heritage assets – specifically its former Colliery – has also been transformed into a high-quality visitor attraction. The strategy is supplemented by a wide range of new-build projects designed to make Coalville a great destination and increase spend and dwell time.
Some of these, such as improvements to green infrastructure, a new leisure centre, and customer services centre, are being led by the Council.
Coalville Regeneration Framework
Several other initiatives are privately funded including proposals for a new cinema, bowling and a rejuvenated shopping centre with enhanced public realm and better connections to surrounding streets.
All of this is supported by the NWLC’s commitment to sustainable transport including its cycling strategy and longer-term proposals to bring Coalville Station closer to the town.
