Date: 17/02/2009
Plans to develop new designs for Buxton Town Centre got off to a great start last week when over 100 people braved sub-zero temperatures to attend the first workshop held in the Pavilion Gardens. High Peak Borough Council, which organised the event, is now hoping for a similar turnout at the second workshop to be held on 24 February.
Buxton is becoming increasingly attractive to developers, so much so, that a strategy is needed to ensure that any new development meets the aspirations of the local community and does not adversely detract from the town's unique character. There is also a need to ensure that the town continues to meet the needs and expectations of the visitors.
With this in mind the Council has decided to put together a plan - the Buxton Town Centre Design and Place Making Strategy - using an innovative workshop-based approach following similar work that has been very successful in places such as Lincoln and Torbay.
Tony Kemp, Executive Councillor for Regeneration is leading the strategy and is delighted with the response so far: "This is an opportunity for everybody to have their say on the future look of Buxton's town centre. It is crucial to have a cross section of views from across the town. I am delighted that the public responded so well last week - particularly given the adverse weather - and am looking forward to working with a similar number at the next workshop."
At the workshop, urban design consultants Gillespies and visitor management consultants Locum, gave some introductory presentations before the audience got to work in groups to define the special characteristics of Buxton that they felt should be reflected in any future designs.
The next workshop will be held in the Paxton Suite, Pavilion Gardens on Tuesday 24 February and will build on the work completed so far. The discussions that took place in the first workshop will be summarised, so that anyone coming for the first time will still be able to play a full part in the workshop. Anyone attending is asked to arrive from 5.30 pm onward, to ensure that the session can start promptly at 6.00pm (expected length of session is 3 hours).
For this second workshop session, pre-registration will not be needed as for the first meeting. Another workshop will also be held on 19 March 2009, with a final presentation being made on a date still to be arranged in late April or early May 2009.