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The HISTORY of REDDITCH New Town

1979 Owen Owen announced their decision to move to Kingfisher Centre.
Meeting with Commission for the New Towns, to consider plans for RDC dissolution.

Retirement of RDC General Manager, Mr. Bill Evans, OBE.

Mr. Norman More succeeds Mr. Bill Evans.

Marks & Spencer announced their decision to move to Kingfisher Centre.

Appointment of Norman Moore as General Manager.

Terms for sale of rented housing agreed under New Towns circular 577.

Retirement of Mr. Brian Bunch, Chief Architect of Redditch New Town.

Secretary of State issues instructions on the sale of industrial/commercial assets.

Secretary of State rejected Ringway proposals.

Inaugural meeting of Transportation Liaison Committee, the first in the UK.

Bromsgrove Highway opened at a cost of £5 million.

HRH Duke of Gloucester opens the New Police Station and Magistrates Courts.

Lakeside industrial estate started.

New Town contract – Car Park 3, 1979 – 1981, Contract ER 187.

1980 Bordesley Lodge northern area golf course and recreation centre study approved.

Housing transfer scheme requested by Department for June 1980.

Visit of Dr. Gerard Vaughan, Minister of State for Health.

Visit of Geoffrey Finsberg, Parliamentary Secretary Dept. of the Environment.

Dickens Housing Association Scheme for first time buyers opened.

Improved rail link with Birmingham inaugurated.

Redditch granted Borough status.

John Bonham, drummer with Led Zeppelin, dies on 24 September 1980.

New Town contract - Shopping Centre Phase 3a, 1980 – 1982.

Redditch BMX track opens 30th August 1980.

1981 Debate in House of Commons, initiated by Hal Miller MP, on housing transfer.

Secretary of State issues revised target date for dissolution of RDC, now Dec. 1984.

HMS Kingfisher model unveiled in main shopping centre.

Visit of Geoffrey Finsberg, Parliamentary Secretary to Dept. of the Environment.

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