NOT TO BE PRINTED_Draft Final TAAP comments duly

Melinda Raker By email 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Melinda Raker By email 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Melinda Raker By email 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Mr G Harwood 15 Wheatacres 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Mr Anthony
Poulter
Brettenham and
Kilverstone Parish
Council Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
There seems to be no vision, no imagination, no aspiration. Where is
the hope of a cinema, decent shops, good restaurants, art centres,
public gardens, good landscaping and green walk ways? What is
going to bring affluence to the town? I used to visit Thetford at least
twice a week to visit the excellent individual shops, but now would
only go into the town perhaps six times a year (to visit the florist or
the doctor.) Those who have spending power do not want the charity
shops, betting shops, the pound shops and have no need to actually
visits banks or building societies. Tesco's and Sainsbury's have
drawn the main retail areas to opposite ends of the outskirts of the
town - so why go into the centre? Shopping is infinitely better in
Norwich or Cambridge or on the internet. There is little currently to
entice spending within the town and the Action Plan seems to be a
recipe for more of the same.
I am surprised that the plan states "maintaining a vibrant shopping
environment". With the loss of so many shops in the last few years,
this phrase does not currently apply to Thetford.
Past development and initiatives have made Thetford a deprived
Comment noted. Many people have expressed their
disappointment in the way the town centre is and the lack of
shopping choices. Many residents have expressed similar dissatisfaction
with the town centre. Furthermore BDC evidence
base shows much money is being leaked to Norwich, Cambridge
town. Many quality shops have left/failed to be replaced by budget and Bury St Edmunds as there is limited retail offer in the town.
stores, charity shops and empty run down premises. Your plans will Regenerating Thetford town centre is a priority for the Area
increase unemployment and put an even higher demand on Action Plan and policy TH21 sets out a clear and comprehensive
services, making the current situation much worse. Thetford was approach to the town centre, including those areas suitable for
once a vibrant town and a good place to live. Over the years you significant intervention and investment and the guiding
and your predecessors have brought it to the level it is today and you principles against which development proposals will be
appear to be adding to its further decline.
assessed. No change.
The designing out of crime is more applicable to the SUE and should
be applied there too. In itself designing out crime does not reduce
crime.
Regenerating Thetford town centre is a priority for the Area
Action Plan and policy TH21 sets out a clear and comprehensive
approach to the town centre, including those areas suitable for
significant intervention and investment and the guiding
principles against which development proposals will be
assessed. Breckland Council considers that the TAAP provides
a clear and robust planning framework which will enable the
private sector to make investment decisions and bring other
retail and leisure outlets to the town centre. Outside of the
TAAP Breckland Council now owns a number of the key
regeneration sites and is actively looking at ways to bring these
sites forward in accordance with the TAAP. The Council also
has a programme to review car parking provision in Thetford. No change
Move the Halford site to the existing industrial areas. Create
Comments noted. The Thetford Retail Park (including Halfords)
is close to the town centre and within reasonable walking
distance. The Council considers moving retail activity further out
of town would be harmful to the overall health of the town centre.
A number of the ideas presented could be explored as part of a
detailed masterplan for the town centre. The TAAP cannot
specify particular retailers but it can create the environment for
imaginative green spaces there and at the back of ex-Woolworth's - investment to encourage retailers to come to the town. The
use the areas as green gyms (enhancing healthy living) and public Carnegie Rooms are owned and managed by Thetford Town
gardens. Entice Marks and Spencer's to a prime site with zero Council.
business rates for 10 years. M&S appeals to all. Review the access Breckland Council understands that the Carnegie Rooms require
routes to the town, improve clarity and rename them so that it considerable investment going forward and the TAAP identifies
sounds more inviting that just clinical zone numbers. Look at the the site as an area for change and development. This does not
characterful Old Market Street and improve the lighting and remove mean that the Carnegie Rooms have to be replaced but the Plan
the mesh of telephone/electrical wires. Make more of the good areas intends sufficient flexibility to enable the Town Council to look at
of the town. Study Newcastle to see how a riverside area can be with a range of options for the site. Should the site be redeveloped,
thoughtful planning. Don't use Norwich as the model. Take down the it should be noted that the TAAP identifies the area including the
Carnegie Rooms and use a top architect to build a community centre Carnegie Rooms as a focus for market and community uses and
with vision, imagination and passion and style. Limit the number of Breckland Council would seek replacement provision either on
charity shops: they are good things, but if private landlords cannot let the site or very close by. Alternatively, proposals to refurbish
their properties, they will be forced to bring down the rents to make and rejuvenate the existing Carnegie Rooms would also be
them more accessible to start up businesses supported
No change
Comments noted. The design principles for the SUE are set out
in Policy TH1 and include criteria that encompass elements of
designing out crime. It should also be borne in mind that
development in Thetford is also subject to the requirements of
the Core Strategy including policy DC16 on design which
includes a specific criterion on design and crime prevention. No change.