10:22am Tuesday 26th June 2007
By Kate Martin
A PANEL developing a vision for central Basingstoke over the next 20 years is moving too slowly.
That is the opinion of the leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, who has now joined the group in a bid to speed up the creation of the central area vision and produce firm proposals by the end of the year.
Cllr John Leek said: "I am personally joining the central area vision panel because I think it needs to move along a little faster. We have got to come up with what we are going to do with it."
He added that his eagerness to produce the vision had been increased by the progress that the council had made with drawing up a concept for regenerating Basing View, which will link in with the work of the central area vision.
Cllr Leek said: "Now that we have got the Basing View bit, we need to progress this because it has to be delivered as a comprehensive development of the town."
A public consultation on the future of the town centre has already been held, which called on the council to improve The Malls and the Top of the Town.
It also asked for more independent shops, more markets and restaurants, improved parking and pedestrian and cycle links.
Council bosses hope to create a cultural hub in the Top of the Town focused on The Willis Museum and the Haymarket Theatre as one method to draw more people into the area.
Cllr Leek said: "If we can make the area more attractive, people will come and retailers will come back, in my view, but there has got to be a catalyst for that."
The panel looking at the central area vision is expected to present a final report and draft action plan to the Cabinet in December.
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