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Vision for Bridgwater launched
05 August 2009
A vision for the future of Bridgwater as one of the most
exciting, innovative and distinctive towns in the South-West was
launched by the Bridgwater Challenge partnership on Wednesday 29th
July.
Bridgwater Vision is the result of nine months of research,
consultation and analysis by the Challenge partners and their
consultants, Gillespies.
It sets out the issues that will have a bearing on the town's
future and the opportunities that can be grasped.
It also includes preferred development options for 13 distinct
"character areas" in and around the town and, crucially, it
concludes with an implementation strategy for turning the vision
into reality.
The South West RDA has invested £355,000 into the project to
help the town grow in a planned and sustainable way.
The independent Chairman of Bridgwater Challenge, Anthony
Gibson, described the vision as "ambitious but still realistic",
when the document was launched at a press conference at the
Sedgemoor Auction Centre.
"Bridgwater has a huge amount going for it: a prime strategic
location, a proud history, many beautiful buildings, a strong
trading and manufacturing tradition, a great community spirit and a
very clear sense of its own identity", said Mr Gibson.
Even so, it would be silly to pretend that achieving the sort of
step change in the quality of life in the town and the prosperity
of its people that we are looking for will be easy in the
prevailing economic climate.
"The key will be to establish a virtuous circle. To use the
development opportunities we have to set an example, lift
aspirations, and provide new and better jobs, perhaps particularly
in the energy sector and, through the Building Schools for the
Future programme and Bridgwater College, to make sure that young
people in the town are equipped with the skills that the new
employers will need. That, in turn will, stimulate further
development, generate demand for an improved retail offer and it
can provide resources for the public works, like walkways,
cycle-ways and a really exciting river frontage that are so
important to a better quality of life for the people of the
town."
The long-term Implementation and Delivery Strategy, which runs
from now until 2060, includes seven key projects for town centre
transformation - one of which is the Northgate/Docks Renaissance
project, on which planning work is already under way. An integral
part of the vision is a permanent solution to the flood risk -
which will be provided by a Parrett Barrier, which will protect the
whole town and the surrounding floodplain from increased height of
tidal surges as sea levels rise.
The programme also envisages work starting on liaison and
planning issues for the Riverside and River projects in the near
future. At the same time, the intention is to use the development
in the North East Bridgwater area to set an example of the sort of
high quality development that is integral to the achievement of the
vision, in one of the town's most important gateways.
"Throughout this process, we have tried to be ambitious, but
still realistic", said Mr. Gibson.
"All of the ideas we have come up with have been thoroughly
tested in meetings and discussions with local people, organisations
and businesses. So this is not just the vision of the partners who
make up the Bridgwater Challenge. It is a vision that we hope is
shared by the vast majority of the people who live and work in the
town. With their support, we can turn it into a reality."
Carl Budden, head of regeneration at the South West RDA whose
investment has funded the work carried out by Gillespies said "This
vision charts the course towards economic regeneration in
Bridgwater and we are pleased to have helped build a solid platform
for the future growth and development of the town.
Ends
Notes to Editors
The Bridgwater Challenge Project is a multi-agency partnership
which seeks to address the issues and transform the town of
Bridgwater over the next 25 years. The Bridgwater Challenge project
will ensure the town is fit for the future and will provide a
sustainable mix of uses that meets the needs of the local community
and also attracts investors, families and younger people.
The partners include:
- Sedgemoor District Council (lead authority)
- Somerset County Council
- Environment Agency
- Learning and Skills Council
- South West RDA
- Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce
- Bridgwater Town Council
- Bridgwater College
In 2006, the Bridgwater Challenge was established and
revitalised in 2008 as a multi-agency, informally constituted
partnership. Bridgwater Challenge was awarded £355k from the RDA to
draw up a masterplan for Bridgwater for the next 25 years. It is
this plan that is being launched today.
Magnox South awarded £35k to the Bridgwater Challenge Project as
part of its socio-economic commitment to the town. The money was
used to fund a comprehensive consultation and engagement plan to
encourage members of the local community to get involved with the
project and help to shape the town's long term future.
Claire Faun
Corporate Relations Manager
Sedgemoor District Council
Bridgwater House
King Square
Bridgwater
Somerset TA6 3AR
Tel: 01278 435320
Contact Details
Name: Sue Amiel (nee Dawson)
Tel: 0117 944 1415
Email: samiel@spiritpublicrelations.co.uk
Third Party Issuer
Bridgwater Challenge