NOT TO BE PRINTED_Draft Final TAAP comments duly

Mr. peter
Thomson Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Carnegie Rooms - is it still intended to demolish it? What is to
replace it? Lots of commercial shops and offices without adequate
public areas is not acceptable.
The Carnegie Rooms are owned and managed by Thetford
Town Council. Breckland Council understands that the Carnegie
Rooms require considerable investment going forward and the
TAAP identifies the site as an area for change and development.
This does not mean that the Carnegie Rooms have to be
replaced but the Plan intends sufficient flexibility to enable the
Town Council to look at a range of options for the site. Should
the site be redeveloped, it should be noted that the TAAP
identifies the area including the Carnegie Rooms as a focus for
market and community uses and Breckland Council would seek
replacement provision either on the site or very close by.
Alternatively, proposals to refurbish and rejuvenate the existing
Carnegie Rooms would also be supported. No change
Mr R Ward Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Agree Supports the town centre masterplan idea. Comments noted. No change
Mr Stuart Wilson Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Mr Stuart Wilson Thetford 18 Policy TH 21 Comment
Thetford's shopping environment is not vibrant - perhaps
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
‘maintaining' should be changed to ‘creating'. In order to create a principles against which development proposals will be
vibrant town centre something different, revolutionary needs to assessed. Breckland Council considers that the TAAP provides
happen to make Thetford a place people wish to visit. The river could a clear and robust planning framework which will enable the
become a huge asset if it were to become navigable to Brandon. private sector to make investment decisions and bring other
This used to be the case and Thetford thrived. Tourists arriving via retail and leisure outlets to the town centre. The idea of opening
boats from far afield would re-vitalise the riverside areas where up the navigation of the River Little Ouse from Brandon has
cafes, restaurants and shops would spring up. The other tourist been investigated but at present there are no definitive plans or
attractions such as the Brecks, the Ancient House Museum, the timetable to implement the scheme. There are a number of
Burrell and Dad's Army Museums, the Art Gallery, the Priory, Castle initiatives to encourage Tourism in Thetford and the TAAP
Hill, etc. would also benefit from the influx of tourists. Although such complements these by focusing investment on the town centre
a scheme would be initially expensive, with a number of different whilst putting in place policies to protect the historic environment
agencies involved costs could be spread. The alternatives are few and encourage new green infrastructure and upgrades to public
and would not guarantee a ‘vibrant' town centre.
transport and walking/cycling networks. No change
Comments noted. The proposed bus interchange facility on
Minstergate is nearing the planning application phase. Earlier
consultation on the TAAP resulted in a significant majority of
It does, however, depend on the foresight, skill and determination of respondents supporting the relocation of the existing bus station
the MTF Board members to implement this scheme as part of their from its prominent location on the riverside. There are a
vision for Thetford. The proposal to route coaches down
number of engineering reasons as to why the current bus facility
Minstergate is hardly ‘giving priority to pedestrians'. As Minstergate is no longer suitable. The vision for the town centre includes
is the main pedestrian artery into the town from the west. I feel that making better use of key riverside areas and transforming them
pedestrian safety will be compromised if the plan is implemented. from tarmac surface car parks to retail, leisure and office
‘Concentrated' car parking presumably means ‘multi-storey'? If this is buildings which add to the attraction of the town centre.
the case then the present car park at the rear of the old Woolworths Thetford has a range of small surface car parks scattered across
unit would be an ideal location. The fear is that planners will wish to the town centre and the principle of focusing these sites into a
compromise the open aspect of the river side at sites such as School smaller number of facilities including either multi-storey or
Lane, the Anchor site, the rear of Argos and/or the Wilkinson site. decked facilities should be explored. No change