Date published: 2023-11-14 | Category: Regeneration and Development, Communities and volunteering, Giving people a bigger say, Somer Valley, Delivering for local residents
An updated draft action plan to make Radstock town centre more vibrant and bring vacant buildings back into use has been published and the community is invited to have their say.
The purpose of the plan is to form a basis for funding bids and help to prioritise town centre projects that would benefit the community and make Radstock a more vibrant and welcoming place to be.
The Radstock Regeneration Action Plan has been based on residents’ feedback gathered from public surveys in autumn 2021 and spring 2022 on a shortlist of ideas.
Now, residents and businesses can view the updated plan and comment on the action plan including its priority projects, which include providing indoor community space, outdoor event space, reuse and repurposing of town centre brownfield sites, improvements to green spaces, tree planting, wayfinding and repurposing of vacant units.
Radstock is the first to benefit from new town centre regeneration action plans funded by £750,000 from the West of England Combined Authority’s Housing and Regeneration Enabling Fund to create regeneration action plans and masterplans for Keynsham, Midsomer Norton, Twerton and Radstock.
Bath & North East Somerset Council is developing the action plan in partnership with Radstock Town Council.
Residents and businesses are invited to respond to the survey which is open until until 4 December.
Councillor Paul Roper, cabinet member for Economic and Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “Radstock is an attractive place to visit with a unique heritage, however there is significant potential for increasing the vibrancy of the town and attracting more visitors and investment. This would create a town that better meets everyone’s needs in the future.
“This action plan sets out the challenges and the opportunities for Radstock and is the first time that people have been able to view the plan in its entirety. Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to respond to our previous surveys – the valuable feedback has shaped the list of priority projects we are now asking for further opinions on.”
Chris Dando, Mayor of Radstock Town Council, said: “Radstock is proud of its heritage and has so many lovely features from its past. The action plan highlights these strengths and shows areas for improvements. It has been great to work with the local community to create this plan giving a focus for the future to improve Radstock for all. The Town Council welcomes people to share their views on the plan.”
The priority projects included in the action plan:
- Improving community facilities in the town centre including providing a community space and a home for Radstock Town council & library.
- Potential spaces for outdoor events at Tom Huyton Park Car Park, Norton Radstock Greenway, The Wheel & Miners Memorial Garden, Fortescue Road, Ludlow’s Court, The Street, Church Street Car Park 7 or St Nicholas Church Field, as well as co-ordinating town-wide events along a recognised ‘trail’ involving multiple venues.
- Encouraging redevelopment, reuse and repurposing of brownfield sites working with their owners, including the Library & Children’s Centre, Brunel Shed, Leigh House, St Nicholas Old School, Old Print Works, Fortescue Road 60’s Shops & St Nicolas Church Rooms.
- Planting nine trees in Radstock town centre in 2024 as part of a wider project being carried out by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
- Improving spaces within the town centre to benefit nature and the community, including Miners Pool, St Nicholas churchyard & Wellow Brook habitat.
- Improving wayfinding, parking and streetscapes in the town centre.
- Repurposing vacant units.
Masterplans for, Midsomer Norton and Twerton and an action plan for Keynsham will take place during 2023-25.
ENDS