Question 8
No.
No. The Town Centre plan asks the right questions, but the analysis is flawed because of the foolish adoption of the Northern rail route, with all the negative traffic and infrastructure problems it will bring to the town centre.
There is an opportunity to think about the future of the town centre, given changes in retail habits. There is an opportunity to look at the town centre as a destination for social activity, including better facilities for formal and informal activity, better open spaces, facilities such as outdoor gyms, and better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists. Sport England has published 'Active Design' which seeks to make existing places more conducive to formal and informal activity through design, including improving networks for walking and cycling. We would welcome reference to this document in the revised document: https://www.sportengland.org/how-we-can-help/facilities-and-planning/design-and-cost-guidance/active-design
The record of the enhancement in the town is grim. There's the County Hall, Mander College, and just recently the Mayor's pet scheme, the Riverside North Development. Then there's the BT building on St John's Street, all of them ugly. A model could have beenfollowed was Cambridge, for architechtural merit. All the new buildings in Bedford scream: "Tourist dollar keep out!" My fears for a new railway; it will be built to connect a suburban sprawl to enrich the developers. Now I feel I can say 'I told you so!'
Events and activities in Bedford should be better and more widely publicised. Closure of retail chains provides an opportunity for small businesses and these should be encouraged by better publicity in the rural areas as well as the town.
In the clear face of High streets failing to keep customers perhaps a better use for The high street would be conversion into flats for young people, thus allowing them to make easy use of public transport. this could be done quickly with no need to wait on possible railway development.
1. Continuous effrts needs to be made to clean and brighten up the Town Centre and it's immediate vicinity, particularly those areaswhicj are drab and unwelcoming - e.g. the bus station. 2. Locakablecycle parking areas. 3. Stagecoach and other bus comanies to be encouraged to electric buses.
Better car parking whether in town or on fringes with Park & Ride. More incentives to encourage retail back into the town centre.
Please try and protech the Green-Belt arable land and use the brownfield sites first.
Ravensden Parish Council has nothing to add.
The desolate and still suffering town centre, the ??? stores that are moving out. Nightime economy appears to given too much importance. Daytime parking issues.
Only that the Town Centre Recovery Plan must be prioritised if Bedford is to be used by shoppers. The retail depression in the town needs to be addressed.
Agreed response: No comment.
Good range of points raised. Comments on Market town feel are interesting. Supports moving away from big retailer high street to a more niche/independent retailer position. Council plan could focus upon how to incentivise these businesses. Consideration should be given to increasing the level of residential property in and around the town centre to increase town centre diversity. Consider increase in greenspace through policy to convert building roof into gardens and greenspace.
No.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
Do you have any further views to add to those listed in the Town Centre Plan (see Consultation Responses above)? The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.
The Development Plan has an important role to play in protecting and enhancing the town centre. This should be achieved by devising policies which support existing businesses, provide opportunities for new businesses to locate, promoting sustainable modes of transport, improving car parking in the correct locations. Due to changes in retailing habits by consumers and the proximity of modern shopping facilities at Milton Keynes and Rushden Lakes, it is essential that the traditional shopping areas provide the opportunity to accommodate a broader range of complimentary non-traditional retail uses. In addition to being flexible, new policies should give greater emphasis to enhancing the towns existing physical and cultural features and history, particularly the Embankment, the riverside, Castle Ward, the parks and theatres to enhance the town’s appeal not only as a place to live and work but also as a destination for visitors. The provision of efficient and cost-effective sustainable travel options is critical to the future of the town centre.