Derby-based Highgrange Homes has agreed to take on the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme to breathe new life into the White Hart Street area of the town.

And company bosses have revealed details of their ambitious plans this week — which they hope will transform the rundown area into a 'Covent Garden-style' development with al-fresco dining.

'Excited'

Director Andrew Littler told Chad the project would include 148 apartments and 20,000sq ft each of retail units and commercial office space.

"It is a mixed development of commercial, retail and residential units," he said. "We are very excited about it.

"We are hoping for a positive outcome with the planning department and it will be a great development for Mansfield town centre. Our artist impressions show a Covent Garden-style feeling to it, with bistros and cafes. We have already got some local business people interested in taking some of the units."

The company has agreed the purchase of derelict properties between Midworth Street, Dame Flogan Street, Church Street and White Hart Street from landowner Melvyn Flint and hopes to submit a planning application by the end of this month.

And Mr Littler, whose company is also carrying out the development at the former Mansfield Shoe Co factory site, said he hopes to release artist impressions within the next few weeks.

The project has failed to get off the ground with two other developers pulling out in recent years and Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton has welcomed the new opportunity to kick-start the project.

"It is extremely important for that part of town –– it has been flagging," he said. "We have been let down on a couple of occasions through a variety of things and it must be particularly pleasing for businesses down there who have invested in bringing their businesses up to scratch.

"It will revitalise that part of the town and create a link through to the Market Place."

St James Securities had been lined up to carry out the project after developers Henry Boot backed out of the scheme, but it walked away last year after councillors rejected a scheme to turn the Maltings building into a start-up centre for new businesses.

The redevelopment of the Matlings, which has planning permission to be turned into offices, will now be carried out by a separate company.