Local Council Submits Plans To Regenerate Former Bass Brewery Site.
East Staffordshire Borough Council (ESBC) submitted a full planning application last week for the regeneration of the former Bass Brewery Site, alongside additional plans for renewal aimed at revitalising Burton's High Street.
By Tom Drysdale
Bass House
A statement on the ESBC website announced: “Following a period of public engagement by the Council in October and November 2024, which included tours of Bass House, East Staffordshire Borough Council is delighted to announce that a full planning application has been submitted for the exciting regeneration of the former Bass Brewery Site, High Street, Burton upon Trent.”
The Council now invites local residents to review the proposed plans and provide their comments. These plans include:
The refurbishment of Bass House into an immersive Brewing Heritage & Social History Experience, which incorporates the National Brewery Heritage Archive.
The sensitive refurbishment of Town House, which will have a range of potential future uses.
The conversion of The Water Tower to create an interactive attraction and observation experience.
An outdoor area for public events, activities, and festivals, building on recent successful initiatives in the town.
A Washlands Visitor Centre, supported by Staffordshire Wildlife Trust, to include exhibition space, a learning environment, and a café.
The conversion of Carling House into a modern hotel supporting the wider visitor experience.
The Old Bass Brewery Site (now known as Bass Town House) was where William Bass began brewing the now-famous Burton-based beverage in 1777. These new plans envision the building rejuvenated, emphasising Burton’s brewing history.
Councillor Paul Walker, Cabinet Member for Regeneration, stated: “Burton’s proud brewing past is an important part of the town’s history and I would encourage residents of East Staffordshire to voice their opinions on the submitted plans. I am pleased to see us reach this important milestone and I look forward to seeing what the public think of the plans over the coming months.”
Dr. Harry White, Chairman of the National Brewery Heritage Trust, said: “We have been working alongside East Staffordshire Borough Council for well over a year in the development of plans for a new brewing heritage experience on the High Street. We know from our many conversations with the public that there is a great deal of support for this landmark project. Submitting the planning application for the overall site is a significant milestone for this. We would encourage residents to take a look at the plans and give their feedback to East Staffordshire Borough Council via the planning explorer.”
Carling House
Residents can provide comments on the planning application through two methods:
Visiting the Council’s planning explorer available on its website and clicking ‘add comments here’ (please use reference numbers: P/2025/00024 or P/2025/00025 to find the applications).
Emailing dcsupport@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk or writing to East Staffordshire Borough Council, P.O. Box 8045, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 9JG.
A physical copy of the summary Design and Access Statement, which accompanies the planning application, can be viewed by visiting the Brewery Heritage Centre on Station Street. The Brewery Heritage Centre is open on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 09:00 am to 1:00 pm.
ESBC also plans to organise additional public tours of Bass House in the spring, following the popularity of these tours with residents in the autumn of 2024. However, specific details regarding these future tours have not yet been released, with the council stating they will provide further information “in due course.”
For more information and to view the plans, please visit www.eaststaffsbc.gov.uk/regeneration/burton-high-street-project or contact enterprise.team@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk.
East Staffordshire Borough Council has shared exciting plans for the regeneration of Burton upon Trent High Street, which includes concepts for a reimagined National Brewery Centre attraction.
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