Plan hopes for action in other areas - The Evesham Observer

Plan hopes for action in other areas

Evesham Editorial 20th Mar, 2015 Updated: 20th Oct, 2016   0

AS WELL as the 12 key priorities, the Evesham Town Plan also identifed actions to be taken in a variety of areas. Observer editor Rob George takes a look at the recommendations in more detail.

A NUMBER of key areas were explored by the Evesham Town Plan and saw a variety of responses from residents.

Town Centre

The most popular area of concern for residents was the Town Centre which attracted 1,964 comments or almost 33 per cent all responses.




Most of the comments concerned shops or the shopping experience with parking and business costs proving to be a hot topic.

And following consultation, the Evesham Town Plan recommends


Encourage development of the Riverside Shopping Centre

Develop Market Place as a leisure destination

Introduce a parking system that encourages town centre use and ‘dwell time’

Encourage investment to develop an appropriate retail mix

Provide better signage within and around the town centre

Develop a more user-friendly traffic system

Transport

The next most popular area for comment was transport which included parking, traffic, cycling and public transport.

A variety of actions to be taken were suggested and include

Reduce the speed limit through town to 20mph

Make provision and safeguard an extension of the Evesham ring road to the south-west of the town to connect the A46 and B4084.

New footbridgee and cycle crossing points over the river

A network of well signed cycle routes and footpaths

Revive the Vale of Evesham Cycling Forum

Establish a bus users group

Arts, Leisure and Sports

Arts, Leisure and Sports attracted the next highest level of comments and saw five positive comments for every critical view.

Community facilities, events and eating out were the most possible areas of concern for residents and the Evesham Town Plan suggests

Create a comprehensive source of information for all amenities, events, clubs and activities in the town.

Re-open the public hall as part of the Market Place regeneration and investigate the possibility of relocating Evesham Arts Centre there or setting up a community arts centre there.

Evening events all year round to attract people into town.

Promote local produce

More good quality bars, cafes and restaurants and reasonably priced family restaurants.

Environment

The Evesham Town Plan hopes to achieve a greener, more energy-efficient and self-sufficient town by 2031.

The section tackles a number of sections covering appearance, public spaces, heritage and growth and among the town plans recommendations are.

Encourage creative solutions to negelected sites

More rubbish bins in busy areas as part of an anti-litter strategy

Create new connections between the parks and town centre

Reveal and present Evesham Abbey

Create a local listing of important buildings

Local Economy

A thriving local economy is also included in the Evesham Town Plan which made a number of recommendations which included.

Encourage a ‘Buy Local’ culture

Lobby for a fairer system of business rates

Retain and improve the Charter Market

Tourism

Another important part of the plan was tourism with eight per cent of all responses on the subject.

Among the recommendations were:

Promote Evesham’s attractions to boaters

Create a Battle of Evesham visitor attraction

Improve and raise the profile of the Almonry Museum

Create better links between Evesham Country Park and Evesham Town Centre

Community Support

Caring for the physical, emotional and psychological needs of the community was another important part of the plan.

Among the recommendations were:

Increase temporary and hostel accomodation to cater for future homelessness needs

Develop care in the community facilities

Integrate social and health care services and improve out of hours GP services

Use social media in a positive way to instill local pride

Establish support groups for parents

Housing

Evesham should be a town providing housing for people at every stage of their lives, according to the Town Plan

Protect the character of the town and surrounding countryside

Empty premises and ‘brownfield’ sites should be used for housing

A better matching of new homes to community needs; ie affordable starter homes, homes for young singles and the elderly.

More afforable rental properties.

Young People

A need to engage more young people in the town was also expressed during the preparation of the town plan

Encourage and support more youth groups in the town

Introduce Civic Awards for young people

Consult young people about the future development of the town

Grant observer status or occasional representation to young people at Evesham Town Council.

Health and Well-Being

Medical and health services were seen as a priority as well as bids to keep people safe and healthy

Retain and develop the Community Hospital

Promotion of outdoor events like walking and cycling

Better lighting of paths and public areas

Establish improved liason between the community and the police

Visit www.eveshamtowncouncil.gov.uk/evesham-town-plan to view the documents and explore the findings in more detail.

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