Cath Burns, Economic Development Manager will give a brief presentation on the Town Centre Strategy and the Market Walk development proposals.
Jamie Carson, the Director of Leisure and Cultural Services will give a brief presentation on the provision of leisure and cultural activities in the central area of Chorley.
Minutes:
Chorley Town Centre Strategy
Cath Burns (Chorley Council’s Economic Development Manager) gave a short presentation on the recently adopted Chorley Town Centre Strategy.
Ms Burns explained the background to the development of the Strategy, which had evolved over 18 months following publication of the Economic Development Strategy and the findings of a Consultant’s retail study.
The Strategy’s overall vision was ‘to assist in improving the vitality and viability of Chorley Town Centre, so that by 2016 it provides a place to successfully do business and visit through a unique offer of attractions’. This should help to curb the leakage of business from the Borough to neighbouring towns.
In order to deliver the vision, the following four key priorities for the strategy had been identified:
? Town Centre Environment
The strategy would need to safeguard the distinctive character of the town, as well as delivering environmental improvements. The Council’s Officers would undertake an audit of the town and develop a design strategy to guide future development and prominent features, such as town centre gateways and shop fronts.
? Accessibility and Movement
The Consultant’s survey had revealed that 71% of people surveyed had not found difficulty in accessing the town centre car parks. However, there would be a comprehensive review of car parking in the town centre and plans were being developed to improve pedestrian access at the junction of St Thomas’s Road and Market Street and to create an attractive Town Hall Square.
? Business Promotion and Support
More effective marketing and promotion of Chorley as a ‘Contemporary Market Town’ was crucial to the Strategy and the Council would be meeting shortly with market traders to discuss ways of enhancing the vitality and viability of the Markets.
? Town Centre Diversification
The Council accepts the need to attract a new range of visitors and leisure uses to the town centre if it is to maintain its competitiveness and attract shoppers and visitors. The Council will be working in partnership will land owners and developers to promote and assist, where possible, the development of key sites (eg the former Grahams and McDonald’s sites and the Pall Mall Triangle). The principal focus of attention in the near future would be assisting the development of a second phase of Market Walk. Plans were being examined to construct four new large retail units and a multi-storey car park on the eastern part of the Flat Iron Car Park (resulting in a net increase of 303 spaces), with associated environmental improvements. The attraction of recognised retailers to the extension was paramount and the Council would be working with the developers to encourage suitable middle-range retailers, such as Debenhams and Next.
Questions raised at meeting:
(i) A member of the public sought clarification as to what the environmental improvements were and would the development cut down the number of parking spaces.
Response: Cath Burns explained that there would be new surfaces, new planting schemes, new pavements and street furniture such as benches and bins. Cath Burns also added that there will eventually be a further 300 car parking spaces.
(ii) A member of the public was concerned that there had been no mention that Chorley was a Market Town.
Response: Cath Burns agreed that the market was an important asset to Chorley and explained that they were looking to improve on the existing market by attracting new traders to provide a wider range of diversification that in turn would attract new customers.
(iii) A Borough Councillor sought clarification as to when the Town Centre Strategy was adopted and the funding arrangements for the second phase of the Market Walk development.
Response: Councillor Peter Malpas (Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration) clarified that the Strategy had been in working progress over a few years but that it had officially been adopted in October 2006.
Councillor Alan Cullens (Executive Member for Resources) added that there would be a cost involved through the initial reduction in Car Parking whilst the works were being carried out during the second phase of the Market Walk development. However a contingency plan would be put into place, to direct drivers to other car parks in the area and that a suitable provision for disabled parking would be made.
He also explained that the Deutche Bank Developers had to put more money into the project in order to attract the right level of retailers to come to the town but that any extra monies incurred at this stage would be regained in the long term once the development was completed.
(iv) A Borough Councillor asked when the Council were intending to speak to the market traders as to their views and ideas on the development.
Response: Councillor Pater Malpas (Executive Member for Economic Development and Regeneration) explained that a meeting had been set up and was due to take place in the next couple of weeks.
Leisure and Cultural Activities
Mr Jamie Carson (Chorley Council’s Director of Leisure and Cultural Services) gave a short presentation on the provision of leisure and cultural activities in the central area of Chorley.
Mr Carson explained that one of their main aims for the forthcoming year was to get the people of Chorley more active. One million people in total had used the facilities that were available in the Chorley area, including those that were provided by private companies and voluntary groups and the target for Leisure Services was to increase on this figure each year by 1%
Mr Carson talked about two flagship projects that were to be rolled out across the Borough:
· Activities for Young People
Examples of the types of activities that were provided were shown. To date most of the Get up and Go programmes had been limited to the Summer Holiday time but this year there was a provision to extend the activities to term time and in the evenings.
· Community Centre Management
The Council had transferred the ownership of Tatton Community Centre to the Community Users and Groups now know as the Tatton Community Association
He also reported that the Executive Cabinet had given approval to a new Community Centre being sited in the Buttermere Area of Chorley using Section 106 money from the Gillibrands housing development.
Capital improvements were also planned for Clayton Green Leisure Centre, Duxbury Golf Course, Brinscall Pool and All Seasons Leisure Centre, Chorley, where Phase 1 had just been completed with the installation of a new gym, changing rooms and crèche. Phases 2 and 3 would see similar improvements to facilities on the wet side of the centre, with a new Dance Studio and Meeting Room facilities also planned.
Chorley Play Partnership have applied for Lottery Funding that will see the introduction of Play Rangers across Chorley and an Officer that will be responsible for co-ordinating all play activities across the Borough. Lighting will also be provided on Coronation Recreational Ground, Devonshire Road, Chorley to promote safe play.
Questions/Issues that were raised at the meeting
(i) A member of the public commented that the absence of a pets corner and no café in Astley Park meant no visitors and asked how the Council intended to improve on this.
Response: Mr Carson explained that a proposal on Pets Corner will be taken to Executive Cabinet later in the year and added that there are plans to have a café when the development is completed.
(ii) An offer was made for the Latter Day Saints Church Group to continue to run the café at Astley Hall on a voluntary basis if the Council would agree.
Response: Mr Carson said that he would be willing to talk to the group about this offer.
(iii) A County Councillor commended the work that the Leisure and Cultural Services were doing to encourage the people of Chorley to be more active but pointed out that this good work was hindered when in the latest Borough News the article on promoting a healthy lifestyle was backed by a page that advertised fast foods outlets.
Response: Mr Carson noted this observation.
(iv) A Borough Councillor asked why money identified for extra play resources in the opposition budget at a recent Council meeting had been rejected by the present administration. The Chair for PAICE and Tatton Community Association also added that they raise a lot of money every year but that there are never enough funds to do everything that they wish.
Response: Councillor Cullens (Executive Member for Resources) said that there was money available in existing schemes that could be utilised more effectively in other areas. The Council needed to look were resources were being targeted and allocate the funds more effectively.
(v) A member of the Public suggested involving the children more when deciding how resources should be allocated.
Response: Mr Carson explained that this was already happening, although they could always, and did intend to do more. The present Junior Warden Scheme at Yarrow Valley Country Park was an example of what could be achieved by involving children at this level. They also use the Schools and the School Councils for consultation purposes.