RESIDENTS and businesses took part in a public consultation about the future of Melksham town centre last week, held at Melksham Community Campus.
The town centre masterplan includes possible next steps for the former library and Blue Pool sites, which have now been rehomed in the campus, and the future of the Cooper Tires site after it closes.
One resident who attended the exhibition said, “It would be nice for more retail and leisure activities to be bought back. I don’t drive and find it so time consuming having to get the bus to nearby towns to do things.
When the Avon site closes, it would be nice to see that developed for mixed use and include flats, shops and a bowling alley, with things for the younger generation to do. More dog friendly places would be good too.”
Another resident commented that it would be “nice for the canal to be built up, like it is in Devizes.”
Consultation boards will continue to be on display in the campus and town hall until early March, where people will still be able to comment on the proposals for the town centre.
The town centre master plan is part of the Melksham Neighbourhood Plan, which is a joint initiative between Melksham Town Council and Melksham Without Parish Council.
The Neighbourhood Plan, which is already in operation and is in the process of moving on to new initiatives, gives the town local planning power in guiding future development and conservation.
The Neighbourhood Plan also explores the town’s economy, vitality, its culture and distinctiveness, connections, accessibility, quality of public spaces, heritage and townscape, with a focus on climate change and sustainability.
More information about Melksham Neighbourhood Plan can be found on both councils’ websites.
Pictured; councillors, council staff and local people look over the plans.
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