The public realm strategy for Stroud town centre, prepared by NEW Masterplanning and Hamilton Baillie Associates, has been adopted by Stroud District Council as Supplementary Planning Advice. The Stroud Concordat comprising Stroud Town Council, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Stroud Chamber of Trade and Commerce, and Project Stroud, commissioned the strategy in December 2007 and the final report was presented in January 2009.
The aim of the work was to deliver a shared vision for the spaces and places in the central area to assist in improving the image of the town and help establish a better position for Stroud to attract potential investment and development.
The project produced a regeneration strategy, masterplan, movement strategy and detailed public realm guidance for the town centre.
The final report set out a series of strategic recommendations seeking to achieve a better balance between pedestrians and traffic in the historic centre, to encourage more people to explore the town, stay longer and spend more money in local businesses.
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A priority in the development of the report was to ensure that it was guided by the community. Accordingly the consultation process has been extensive, consisting of stakeholder workshops, public exhibitions, elected Members briefing sessions and continued coverage in the local press.
The adoption by Stroud District Council follows the formal adoption of the report by Stroud Town Council earlier this year. The report will now be used to support development control decisions, prioritise future actions, provide a platform to bid for future funding, and an evidence base to attract potential Sec106 funding.
The draft Action Plan set out in the strategy is now being taken forward by the Concordat partners.
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