(Presentation)
The Principal Growth Officer
provided a presentation to the Steering Group which on the
development of the Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan (MAP),
including the findings from the recent consultation and engagement
exercise.
The draft Bury St Edmunds Town Centre Masterplan
(MAP) set out the aspirations for the town centre, based on the options put forward by the
public, that aimed to address the issues identified through
research, analysis and consultation. The overall aim was to set out
a coordinated plan to provide for the needs of existing and new
communities and support economic development in Bury St Edmunds, as
set out in the Vision 2031. The draft MAP:-
-
proposed a range of measures that would improve the
way people moved around the town centre, with a particular focus on more sustainable
forms of transport.
-
proposed a number of
opportunities for supporting and increasing the range of uses that
take place in the town centre.
-
provided a structure for the
town centre drawing together existing
streets, spaces, uses and areas of activity that took place and
celebrating the historic character and identity of Bury St
Edmunds.
The draft MAP identified nine Character Areas across
the town centre, these
being:
1. Cornhill,
Buttermarket and The Arc.
2. The Northern
Gateway
3. St Andrews
Quarter
4. Churchgate
5. Ram
Meadow
6. Parkway
7. Kings Road and
Robert Boby Way
8. Lark and Linnet
Riverside
9. Across the Town
Centre
Character Areas were specific locations defined by
their appearance, historical interest or the uses that take place
there. They were also places where change could be made to improve
the town centre making sure that it
offered something for everyone and was a safe, welcoming and
attractive place to spend time in. All changes needed to recognise
and respond to the particular characteristics of each identified
area.
The MAP sets out aspirations that aimed to address
the issues and options identified as part of the research, analysis
and consultation. Aspirations were not restricted to those areas
identified on the MAP. Others would be considered on their own
merits having regard to the MAP objectives, deliverability and how
they contributed to the identity, function and structure of the
town centre character areas as proposed
within the MAP. For each, key
priorities were included relating to the themes of movement,
activity and place. Aspirations were also listed together with
project leads from the many partners involved. In addition, each
character area was assessed against the MAP objectives to ensure
that they contributed towards delivering positive change for the
town centre and the communities who use
it, as agreed by those communities.
The draft MAP alone could not deliver the vision in
the local plan. A delivery strategy would be produced and which set
out project leads, timescales, known issues, potential areas of
funding and investment, related projects and areas of further work.
It would test, as far as possible, whether the proposed aspirations
were possible, viable ...
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