North Devon Direct summer 06 - North Devon District Council

More documents

Recommendations

Info

06 north devon direct PLANNING Spotlight on regeneration North Devon District Council is currently involved in a number of exciting projects to regenerate our three main towns. Here we tell you a bit about what’s being planned in Barnstaple, Ilfracombe and South Molton... Barnstaple The centre of Barnstaple is set to undergo a complete transformation in the coming years. It all starts with the building of the Downstream Bridge, due for completion in the winter of 2007. This will reduce the amount of traffic flowing through the heart of the town, freeing up acres of space for the public to enjoy on the Square and the Strand. In a joint scheme between North Devon District Council and Devon County Council, plans have been approved to: ■ Provide one-way traffic along the Strand away from the Square freeing up space to provide wider footpaths and improved cycle links ■ Provide a new area of public open space in front of the Museum on the Square ■ Improve the pedestrian crossings around the Square ■ Encourage more walking, cycling and use of buses to keep traffic levels at a reduced level and improve the environment in the town Currently, over 30,000 vehicles pass through the Strand and the Square every day. It is hoped the new bridge will reduce this traffic considerably, allowing all of these measures to be introduced. There are also exciting plans to redevelop the Bear Street and Queen Street area of the town by introducing a new shopping area. These plans are still in their very early days but we’ll bring you updates as this project progresses. Ilfracombe The District Council has been working in partnership with the Ilfracombe and District Community Alliance and Ilfracombe Town Council for the past four years to produce a ‘Strategic Action Plan’ for the town. The action plan identified potential areas for regeneration but some further work was needed before any plans could be implemented. This involved: ■ A study of the effect of the plans on the town centre ■ The economic impact of the plans ■ A study of the future of Larkstone/Brimlands The completion of this work identified several sites that could provide key regeneration for Ilfracombe. One of those sites is the bus station, which the District Council is hoping to buy from First Bus, in order to provide an exciting new development opportunity. Potentially this will provide: ■ Housing – a quarter of which would be affordable ■ Leisure and business facilities ■ Car parking ■ Better pedestrian and cycle links to the harbour ■ Pedestrianisation of the harbour area The future of the harbour A resident's survey has been sent out by North Devon District Council to all residents within Ilfracombe on how the harbour should be run in the future. The results will shape the future of the harbour and how it will be managed. Thank-you to everyone who has taken the time to take part – we are really pleased with how many people have responded. We’ll report back on this in future editions of North Devon Direct.
PLANNING north devon direct 07 Artist's impressions of how Broad Street in Ilfracombe could look in the future An artist’s impression of how the Strand in Barnstaple could look following the completion of the regeneration Market and Coastal Towns Initiative The regeneration in both Ilfracombe and South Molton is part of the South West Regional Development Agency’s ‘Market and Coastal Towns Initiative’ (MCTi). The idea behind MCTi is for people from local communities to plan their own future by deciding what is important for their area. With support from the South West RDA, each town forms a partnership to produce a Community Action Plan, which is then presented to a variety of organisations for funding to help turn its ideas into reality. In both towns, North Devon District Council has been actively supporting the local partnerships to help turn their plans into reality. South Molton Since 2001, North Devon District Council has been working in partnership with community group Molton Area 2000 (MA2K), Devon County Council and South Molton Town Council supporting the development of a ‘Strategic Action Plan’ for the town. This plan for the town was published and key priorities were identified. In particular the District Council has been working on a funding application for ‘managed workspace’ on Pathfields Business Park. This is a scheme that will help small businesses develop by giving them the extra space and support they need to take their business to the next level. The project involves providing up to nine fully serviced industrial workshop units with a range of easily accessible training, educational and business support services. The scheme estimated at £1.4m is financially supported by European Regional Development Fund, South West of England Regional Development Agency and North Devon District Council. Planning permission has been granted for the site and North Devon District Council has provided the land. We’re expecting to settle on a start date any day. The District Council has also helped to support the skateboard facility, which working with MA2K, was due to be officially opened last month. The regeneration of South Molton is a key priority for North Devon District Council and we will continue to provide the support needed to see these emerging projects succeed. Amory House will become a ‘One-Stop-Shop’ as part of the regeneration of South Molton, with District, County and Town Council services all at the one location
Page 1 and 2: The magazine from North Devon Distr
Page 3 and 4: 06 09 devondirect north welcome Wel
Page 5: ABOUT YOUR COUNCIL north devon dire
Page 9 and 10: NEWS north devon direct 09 Free bus
Page 11 and 12: ENVIRONMENT north devon direct 11 W
Page 13 and 14: WHAT’S ON north devon direct 13 1
Page 15 and 16: Wimbleball Lake near Dulverton, Som

North Devon Direct summer 06 - North Devon District Council

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?