City centre masterplan scrapped in downturn

Since 2006 council chiefs have targeted central Hull for investment and succeeded in raking in millions of pounds of development.

Success stories have included St Stephen's shopping centre and adjoining transport interchange and the Humber Quays business and waterfront development.

The strategy also paved the way for other key plans for the area such as Quay West, The Boom and developments at Albion Square.

The guiding light of decision-making since 2006 has been the City Centre Masterplan, which was in the process of being refreshed as the City Centre Area Action Plan, or CCAAP.

Proposing major office, retail, and other developments in the city centre, it was submitted to the Government for consideration last November and a public inquiry was held in March.

But on Thursday city councillors will be told the entire plan now needs to be scrapped.

Head of Regional Development Mark Jones said: "The CCAAP sets down targets for delivering developments in the city centre but these were largely based at the time before the economic downtown took a real hold.

"It is now accepted that many of these delivery targets are unrealistic and need to be reviewed.

"The delivery of key projects within the city centre may also be hindered by the likely contraction in public sector funding in the months ahead."