Northallerton Town Square Consultation

"A heart for the town ..."

In 2004 a wide ranging public consultation was undertaken to produce the Northallerton Renaissance Market Towns (RMT) Masterplan. In the consultation a number of projects and improvements around the town were proposed including developing "A heart for the town..."

A range of improvements proposed in the plan have already been implemented (e.g. Evolution Business Centre, fingerposts and gateway signage, assisting the relocation of Chopsticks etc.) and preliminary work has been undertaken on some of the more ambitious projects including the town square enhancements.

The project is being delivered in partnership by Northallerton Town Council, Northallerton & Villages Community Forum and Hambleton District Council.

Realising the Ambition

In 2007, alongside improvements to the town halls' external lighting, a study was undertaken to provide a range of suggested improvement schemes. The document produced, and the range of proposals suggested, were used to engage a wide range of organisations and allow the process to move forward.

Further consultation was undertaken in 2008 at the Carnival, in the Market Place and at local schools to gain community input on what people thought of the scheme and how they would like to use the space.

The Proposed Plans

Bringing all of this work together a draft plan has been produced incorporating where practicable as many of the suggestions as possible received in the earlier consultations.

The plan shown here Opens in a new windowis the product of this work and we are now seeking comments on the general layout and design of the area. We will be talking to users of the space, including local people and businesses and any party that has an interest in the area. If well supported, permissions required to deliver the scheme will be sought.

Key Changes

  • High quality materials
  • Level surface throughout
  • Loading bays consolidated into one
  • A larger permanent pedestrian space will be created - this will require use of 4 parking bays
  • Whole area between Town Hall and Market Cross can be closed off and used for adhoc events
  • Better quality street furniture, including seats for bus stop
  • Cycle parking to be evenly distributed along the High Street

Key Benefits

  • The area will be more accessible
  • It will be safer for pedestrians
  • A high quality heart to the County Town will be developed
  • It will provide an uncluttered, more flexible space providing a focal point for activities and events
  • The attractiveness of the town will be enhanced and the conservation area improved
  • It will provide a more welcoming impression for visitors

What Happens Next

Consultation - is undertaken with interested parties. Organisations such as the Market Traders Association, Showmans Guild and Taxi Forum, local businesses and other relevant bodies will be written to for their comments. Comments will be collected and compiled into a report summarising the level of support for the project.

Gain Permissions - provided the feedback is mainly positive processes will be put in place to gain the permissions required to make the scheme happen. This would include an amendment necessary to the Traffic Order on the High Street and gaining planning permission.

Secure Funding - the resources necessary to put the scheme in place will need to be secured. Some funding has already been secured from a range of sources including Hambleton District Council (£10k), Yorkshire Forward (£10k) and from contributions from housing developers required to provide contributions toward local amenities (£50k). Other funding bids will be made to enable the scheme to be delivered.

Implementation - after all of the above has occurred the scheme will be ready to put into place. This may be in one go or in phases dependant on factors such as funding. The intention is to get the scheme ready to implement in Autumn 2010.

Following the December 2009 consultations, which demonstrated good support for the project, the scheme required that a statutory consultation was undertaken regarding an amendment to the High Street Traffic Order. This was related to the use of the parking spaces required to extend the area. A report Opens in a new window is being submitted to NYCC Hambleton Area Committee recommending the order is amended.

For more details contact: Hambleton District Council Partnerships Officer, Peter Cole on 01609 767212 or peter.cole@hambleton.gov.uk

 

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