Cheshire East Council has joined forces with Wilmslow Town Council to develop ambitious plans for the town centre.
The two councils have teamed up to spearhead a 'revitalisation' of the town centre to maximise its potential and create a vision for the town which looks ahead to the next twenty years.
This will include a look at how cultural and sporting facilities can be enhanced and could include the development of a lifestyle centre which would bring together a range of public facilities including leisure, library and the arts. A theatre, enhanced public open spaces, retail and car parking could be included.
Cheshire East Council Leader Wesley Fitzgerald said: "The current generation owes it to future generations to offer a vision for better living and communities that are enhanced and revitalised.
"This is a period of austerity – but that is exactly the time that you look above and beyond what is here and now."
Wilmslow Town Council has given its strong support, in principle, to working with Cheshire East towards developing a 'Whole Town Vision' and developing a regeneration project as part of a wider action plan.
Cheshire East Council and Wilmslow Town Council will be engaging with a number of key stakeholders over the coming months, including Wilmslow High School and local business groups, and hope to have more solid plans in place by spring next year.
Councillor Jamie Macrae, Cabinet member with responsibility for prosperity, said: "This is a tremendous opportunity for Cheshire East and the people of Wilmslow to work in effective partnership to develop a truly impressive scheme that will help the town fully realise its potential to be a major economic and cultural centre in the north west."
Councillor Michael Jones, Cabinet member with responsibility for resources, added: "Our vision is to deliver a first-class scheme with integrated public services and facilities for the residents of Wilmslow and beyond."
Wilmslow Town Council will meet in the next few weeks to establish a working group for this project and to discuss whether making a financial contribution to the town vision work is appropriate.
Wilmslow Town Council Chairman Councillor Jim Crockatt said: "My colleagues and I welcome the idea of working in partnership with Cheshire East Council to develop plans for the creation of a comprehensive action plan for the benefit of the residents of Wilmslow.
"We are delighted that public consultation will be a key element in the continuing process of developing the plans over the coming months. We look forward to taking a central role in gathering public opinion to gauge support for the principle of the project."
A Cheshire East spokesman told wilmslow.co.uk that it was too early to provide more detail about the plans, particularly as the Local Development Framework is still taking place and the results will have an effect on plans to revitalise Wilmslow.
Information about how the revitalisation plans will be funded is yet to be provided but we will keep you informed about this project as more information becomes available.
Photo: Cheshire East Council Leader Councillor Wesley Fitzgerald with Wilmslow Town Councillors Ruth McNulty and Jim Crockatt at Wilmslow Leisure Centre.
Comments
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Mr Harvey - I think that photo is taken on that land as it is opposite the Leisure Centre, the redevelopment of which (either where it is now or, more likely, in a new location) is at the heart of these discussions. These proposals are only proposals and not definite plans. Public consultation will be very important to any final decisions made and all local residents will have the opportunity to have their input. I can't tell you exactly how/where/when yet, but keep checking Wilmslow.co.uk, the local paper and the WTC website (once we have that up and running)
for more information.
Regards,
Cllr Gary Barton
I realise it is early days but I wonder whether there there be consideration of a "civic centre" along the lines of that in Knutsford with a small cinema (combined with a theatre perhaps), alongside meeting room facilities etc.?
I hope that the mooted "lifestyle centre" will be located centrally and not too far out on the school campus?
Likewise, as Malcolm asks, were the Leisure Centre to relocate (as suggested above) would the adjacent green space be protected?
There certainly is an intention to look at building new theatre and conference centre. The hope it that the theatre will have modern apparatus that will allow local groups to do more and allow the theatre to host bigger touring productions. And yes we would like this to be a sort of civic, 'cultural' centre.
As for the green space at the leisure centre - there are not set plans for it one way or another so when it comes to consultation put in your response that you would like to preserve that green space. I am sure there are members of the Town Council who agree with you.
We must not ignore the recreational value of the area in front of the leisure centre in particular the cricket pitch. Hardly a day goes by in the summer when children can not be found playing or practicing on the ground. In an age when all to often we critise children for loitering around or not doing enough exercise can we really consider losing this fantastic asset.
If the proposed development does not permit the playing of cricket can categorical assurances be given that an alternative ground and facilities will be provided prior to any development commencing.
The Rectory field area is a valuable area of open space which should be placed at the heart of this proposal.
Summer, trees, cricket, in the heart of the 'village'?, great opportunity for Wilmslow to be a bit different.
What will happen to the cricket pitch and teams that play there if the field is lost? does this also mean the loss of the woodland surrounding the field as well?