The Masterplan identifies a range of hard and soft landscape interventions that could be undertaken over the long term across the town centre. This work will feed into the Delivery Plan which will be produced over the summer to create a pipeline of schemes including both public realm and other physical regeneration projects. Landscape interventions will also need to be flexible and adaptable as new development projects come forward over time.
‘The Stitch’ is a metaphor for binding the north and south of the town together and is represented by projects 1-3 and received lots of attention and positive comments from local residents in response to the engagement event.
Project 1 is identified as the central, catalyst project. As part of the Stitch, this becomes the central link of the area, giving the clock tower more room within its environment and providing a nicer place to sit and spend time in. The wider Stitch proposals (projects 1-3) would transform the route through the town centre, stitching the town together again by slowing vehicle speeds, removing pedestrian barriers, introducing regular courtesy crossings, with the aim of reducing vehicle numbers and making it easier for pedestrians and cyclists to inhabit and navigate through.
Projects 1-3 are deemed to be the most transformative for the town and therefore is the first priority project to be taken forward with the central area (Market Place to Old Market Place) being the focus.