NEW shops, offices and homes are set to take the place of tired town centre buildings in one of the biggest regeneration projects to take shape in Weston in years.

NEW shops, offices and homes are set to take the place of tired town centre buildings in one of the biggest regeneration projects to take shape in Weston in years.

CNC Properties has sold all its leasehold buildings in Dolphin Square to commercial developer the Kilmartin Group.

All but two freehold properties are now under the control of the regeneration specialist, which is half owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland.

The Weston & Somerset Mercury understands the first phase of a massive redevelopment of the site is due to start in the middle of next year.

The plans are part of a project for the whole area which also involves building new council offices on the Carlton Street car park area, where all officers and staff would be based.

In February the Mercury exclusively revealed how North Somerset Council was looking at demolishing the same site and every building between Union Street, Carlton Street, Beach Road and Oxford Street and replacing them with new leisure faculties, car parking, shops and luxury apartments. The ideas were discussed by the previous administration with CNC and traders.

North Somerset Council’s current planning chief, Elfan Ap Rees, said: “This will be an important regeneration project for the whole of the town centre and for all retailers in the area.”

The local authority wants to enter into discussions with the leasehold and freehold retailers on the site to see how to progress with the plans by negotiating leases.

Kilmartin Group, which was established in 1996, is currently working with the Royal Bank of Scotland to build new flagship offices in Edinburgh and a luxury 130-bed hotel for Radisson Hotels.

The Weston Mercury tried to contact both CNC Properties and the Kilmartin Group but neither were available for comment.