New arts quarter gets planning permission

Plans to regenerate part of a town centre into a new arts and cultural quarter have been given the green light by a council committee.

In 2023, Harlow Council in Essex secured £19.6m of government funding to transform and regenerate Playhouse Square and College Square.

As well as major upgrades to the Playhouse theatre, land to the west of it would be redeveloped to provide a new live performance and music venue and a new public square for events, outdoor performances, a cinema, and outdoor dining.

Harlow Council says the regeneration will "bring people to the town".

The scheme also includes an additional building to provide flexible commercial and community space, and 47 new flats in place of social housing block Occasio House, which was demolished last year.

Harlow Playhouse will be extended with a new arts-led pavilion which will include a new performance space for live entertainment, a music school and recording studio, a contemporary cafe, a restaurant and a bar.

Concerns had been raised about the number of parking spaces, including for blue badge holders, and safety provisions around a play area.

However, officers said they were satisfied with the conditions provided for this.

In its report to the council's development management committee which was discussed on Wednesday, council officers described the application as "exemplary" and praised its "high-quality" design.

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