Central Bedfordshire Press Release
For Immediate Release
Biggleswade’s Bigg Picture
Central Bedfordshire Council is asking residents in Biggleswade to give their opinions on a range of options and project ideas that have been developed as part of the town centre masterplan.
This is the second consultation stage and the council will be holding a Public Exhibition showing detailed proposals that have been suggested since the first public event which was held in July last year. Residents, business owners, employees and visitors are encouraged to take part in this event and to give the project team feedback on the ideas being developed.
The options are being displayed on:
Date: Saturday 3 July 2010
Time: 10am – 4pm
Location: Former Bookworms Store, 17A Market Square, Biggleswade, SG18 8AS
If those interested in making comments on the options can’t make the exhibition then they can still take part and give us their opinions by logging onto http://www.biggleswademasterplan.info/options-exhibition/ where they can view the options and fill in the questionnaire online. For those without internet access information concerning the project will be available at Biggleswade library. We will also be holding a number of other events over the coming month that we will be confirming shortly. Information about these events will be available in the local press and on the project website as and when they are confirmed.
The BIGG Picture is a project from Central Bedfordshire Council geared towards developing Biggleswade’s first ever town centre strategy and master plan. The strategy and master plan will form a long term plan for the future that will seek to safeguard all that is good about Biggleswade, its historical core, commercial vitality and distinct identity. It will also seek to improve key areas identified by residents, businesses and other visitors to the town centre as requiring attention and improvement.
Central Bedfordshire Council and partners have identified a series of critical opportunities for Biggleswade Town Centre. The opportunities focus on addressing the issues identified and developing assets together for maximum gain such as:
- Improving the town centre environment
- A co-ordinated approach to transport and parking
- Creating more flexible properties
- Extending visits and increasing spend
- Increasing activity in the town centre
At the up-coming exhibition these opportunities will be demonstrated in a series of options which will show how they can be combined to create different physical approaches.
The project is run by Central Bedfordshire Council working closely with partners such as Biggleswade Town Council, Biggleswade Chamber of Trade, East of England Development Agency, Biggleswade Town Plan Steering Group and the Homes and Communities Agency. On completion the strategy and master plan produced by the project will be adopted by Central Bedfordshire Council as a supplementary planning document (SPD). It will be used as guidance when determining planning applications within the town centre boundary and also by developers when identifying what new facilities or sites to bring forward within the town centre.
There will be a further opportunities to comment on a preferred option later in the year . This further consultation will last for a period of six weeks and will be publicly advertised.
Cllr Ken Matthews Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council said: “What matters most to The BIGG Picture is the opinions and suggestions of local residents and businesses and so I would ask as many people as possible to come along and give their views on the options.
“Biggleswade is already a great town but we want to help enhance its best assets to create a town that we are not only proud of but also serve as an attraction to visitors from across the region for many years to come.”
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further media enquiries, contact:
Simon Hutchinson
Media Officer
Central Bedfordshire Council
Direct Dial: 0300 300 4915
www.centralbedfordshire.gov.uk