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.