A £20m, Government-backed regeneration of Harlow’s arts quarter – adding to its offering as a “magnet” for visitors - has been approved.
The new town’s council passed plans last week (Wednesday, April 10) for the redevelopment of land to the west of Harlow Playhouse, including Occasio House, to provide a new live performance and music venue, major upgrades to the Playhouse and a new public square for events, outdoor performances, cinema, and outdoor dining.
The scheme also includes an additional building to provide flexible commercial and community floorspace at ground floor level with 47 one and two-bedroom flats above in the place where Occasio House stood before its demolition last year.
Harlow Playhouse will be extended with a new arts-led Pavilion to include new performance space for live entertainment, a music school and recording studio, a contemporary café, a restaurant and a bar.
Alongside will be new studios for arts and entertainment and flexible spaces that can be used for events, smaller performances and community uses.
Concerns had been raised about the number of parking spaces, including for Blue Badge holders, and safety provisions around a play area.
Officers said they were satisfied with the conditions that provided for this.
Councillor James Leppard, a planning committee member, said: “We have spoken a lot about parking, but we should not lose sight of the fact that we have the Harvey car park very close by and we also have the Watergardens car park very much within walking distance.
“I don’t think we should see this as though it is in complete isolation to the environment which it sits within.
“Overall this town has a strong heritage in the arts and I think this is a most welcome initiative within the content of the regeneration of the town centre. It will bring people to the town. It will enhance the offering to various artistic groups, music and drama, that already operate in the town.
“It will be a magnet and I think we should endorse this wholeheartedly.”