NOT TO BE PRINTED_Draft Final TAAP comments duly

Mr John Kitson Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Mr P Dunnett Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Mr P Dunnett
Thetford
Mr P King Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Mr Paul Leeming Carter Jonas Harrogate 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
18
While I agree with the key sites for redevelopment in the town centre,
I would suggest the Carnegie Room (which you misspell) needs
eventual replacement when funding is available. It has provided a
useful town centre focus which certainly needs to continue but in a
new and more visually acceptable building. I have felt for years that
the two car park sites to north and south of Tanner Street would
The vision for the town centre includes making better use of key
riverside areas and transforming them from tarmac surface car
parks to retail, leisure and office buildings which add to the
attraction of the town centre. Thetford has a range of small
surface car parks scattered across the town centre and the
have lent themselves to some form of multi storey parking - providing principle of focusing these sites into a smaller number of
the southern one in particular was given an acceptable visage to the facilities including either multi-storey or decked facilities should
river. be explored.
Progress is being made on putting in place the necessary
No change
"Priorities include maintaining a vibrant shopping environment......" . I funding to deliver a town centre masterplan and it is anticipated
would dearly love to know exactly where this "vibrant environment" is that this will be delivered before the end of 2011. Regenerating
currently located within the town centre. Are you able to tell me? Thetford town centre is a priority for the Area Action Plan and
Town centre shopping provision is currently poor. Such provision as policy TH21 sets out a clear and comprehensive approach to the
there is, is inadequate in terms of type, choice and price. Thetford is town centre, including those areas suitable for significant
often described by existing residents as ‘a town of banks, building intervention and investment and the guiding principles against
societies, charity shops and Poundland style outlets,' although two of which development proposals will be assessed. Breckland
those have recently closed and gone elsewhere! Even the market is Council considers that the TAAP provides a clear and robust
but a very pale shadow of its former self and food shopping facilities planning framework which will enable the private sector to make
are almost non - existent. The building of large supermarkets on the investment decisions and bring other retail and leisure outlets to
edges of town have done much to ‘suck the life' out of the town the town centre. Outside of the TAAP Breckland Council now
centre. It is essential that a start should be made now on the owns a number of the key regeneration sites and is actively
development of a Town Centre masterplan - it's already long over looking at ways to bring these sites forward in accordance with
due!
the TAAP. No change
The masterplan needs to be practical and attainable with
aesthetically pleasing development and architecture, which enhances
the centre, & encourages people to come into town & use facilities. The Carnegie Rooms are owned and managed by Thetford
Such facilities should also include the replacement of the Carnegie Town Council. Breckland Council understands that the Carnegie
Rooms with a centrally located, well and practically designed building Rooms require considerable investment going forward and the
that complements its surroundings e.g.. the Guildhall, with facilities TAAP identifies the site as an area for change and development.
that can be used for a wide range of public events such as amateur This does not mean that the Carnegie Rooms have to be
dramatics, public meetings, film shows, dances, exhibitions etc. replaced but the Plan intends sufficient flexibility to enable the
Delays in producing a masterplan & starting new town centre Town Council to look at a range of options for the site. Should
development will result in a continuation of the current practice, the site be redeveloped, it should be noted that the TAAP
which sees many people travelling to Bury St Edmunds, Norwich and identifies the area including the Carnegie Rooms as a focus for
Cambridge to shop, eat out or go to the cinema / theatre.
market and community uses and Breckland Council would seek
Since there is currently nothing in the TAAP to improve the lives of replacement provision either on the site or very close by.
existing Thetford residents a rejuvenated town centre would at least Alternatively, proposals to refurbish and rejuvenate the existing
be a start! Improving & developing the town centre should go hand in Carnegie Rooms would also be supported. Progress is being
hand with the urban extension. As it stands, the currently
made on putting in place the necessary funding to deliver a town
impoverished town centre will do nothing to attract new residents to centre masterplan and it is anticipated that this will be delivered
Policy TH 21 Comment fill 5000 new homes.
before the end of 2011.
No change
Serious consideration should be given to the development of this
site. A riverside area close to the town centre, developed correctly
would create a busy, lively area with a good atmosphere - something
that is sadly lacking in the town. Why not look at other towns that
have developed there own riverside areas and not rely on expensive
consultants for ideas.
Comments noted. Policy TH21 identifies a number of key town
centre sites that provide the key opportunity areas for
development and change. These include Riverside Walk and
other river frontage sites. The Council recognises that
improving the riverside environment is critical to the successful
regeneration of the town centre. No change.
For Section 18 Town Centre and Retail, we are pleased to see a
reduction in the number of policies and inclusion of the various areas
of intervention within an overriding Policy TH21 Approach to the
Town Centre . Much of this is deferred to the preparation of a
Masterplan setting out more detailed interventions across the town
centre. As a consequence it is important that the TAAP provides an
appropriate policy hook. It is an integral part of the TAAP
regeneration proposals that the town centre provides a function Comments noted. Progress is being made on putting in place
appropriate to its scale to serve the population of the town and the the necessary funding to deliver a town centre masterplan and it
wider hinterland
is anticipated that this will be delivered before the end of 2011. No change