Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration considering the key themes and to seek approval to progress with the production of the Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan and Delivery Plan taking into account the comments received during the Stage 1 public consultation.

The Cabinet had before it a *report of the Head of Planning, Economy and Regeneration considering the key themes outlined in the reports and to seek approval to progress with the production of the Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan and Delivery Plan taking into account the comments received during the stage 1 public consultation.

The Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Regeneration outlined the contents of the report outlining the recommendations and invited the Cabinet to agree the recommendations so that the masterplan could move to Stage II, he added that the Cullompton Town Centre masterplan would form a key document for the regeneration of the town; enhancing the town’s economic prospects and providing a clear strategy to ensure the town met its full potential as an attractive and thriving town post Covid19 and into the 21^st century. It would provide the umbrella framework within which the Cullompton Future High Street Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) works could be delivered.  He outlined the consultation process that had taken place

Feedback had been invited on six town wide initiatives including:

• The enhancement and restoration of Cullompton’s distinctive historic buildings and landscape
• The rediscovery of Cullompton’s historic role as a place to work and to make
• Creating an enticing experience for visitors to draw them into the town centre
• A reclaiming and redesign of Cullompton’s spaces to support a vibrant community life
• Ensuring a sustainable town for its growing community: with homes, education, community and recreational facilities
• Ability to move around on foot, on bicycle, by bus and by train easily.

He identified Section 3 of the report which analysed the consultation responses.

A number of key themes have emerged from the stage 1 consultation:

a)    Enhanced public realm. This was regarded as an important element that could provide significant benefits in improving the visual appearance of the town. A particular focus could be the Bull Ring and main gateways into the town at Station Road and Exeter Road.

b)    Care of Historic Buildings. The Cullompton High Street HAZ bid identified an improvement scheme for high priority buildings. It sought to unlock retail and residential potential of properties through a focused grant scheme.

c)    Traffic Management. A planning application for the Cullompton Relief Road had been received. Should it be approved it would provide the first step towards alleviating traffic flows through the town centre.

d)    Green Spaces. Enhancement of existing and delivery of new green spaces through public realm works and scheme development.

e)    Vision. A clear understanding of the vision and the unique selling point of the town was required, but with a clear distinction between what was an ‘aspiration’ and what was deliverable.

The Area Planning Officer (Projects) highlighted by way of presentation the strategy for the town and the key themes that had been identified for consultation. She explained the process of the consultation, the events that had taken place and the emerging themes from the consultation that had been explained by the Cabinet Member and how the funding could be used.

Consideration was given to:

·         Traffic management in Fore Street and whether a one way system could be created

·         The need for discussion with the Devon County Council  and the Highway Authority with regard to providing safe crossing links from the Garden Village across the motorway to the town

·         The need for the masterplan to be deliverable

·         The need for cycling and walking to be supported

·         The work that was taking place with the Garden Village forums with regard to an integrated approach for linking the Garden Village with the town

RESOLVED that:

a)    The responses to the Cullompton Town Centre Masterplan Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) Public Consultation at Stage 1 be noted; and

b)    The production of a draft masterplan SPD for Cullompton Town Centre be progressed taking into account the comments received through Stage 1 public consultation.

(Proposed by Cllr G Barnell and seconded by Cllr S J Clist)

Notes: 

i)             Cllr Mrs N Woollatt declared a personal interest as the property that she owned was mentioned in the report and that she was a member of the Cullompton Leat Conservation Board.

ii)            *Report previously circulated, copy attached to minutes.