Community views sought to shape future of Redhill
News release dated 11 January 2005 about a public consultation on the next phase to redevelop Redhill town centre.
The revitalisation of Redhill town centre is entering its next stage and the Borough Council is calling upon the local community for their views to help shape the future of the town.
The Borough Council, in partnership with Surrey County Council, has appointed an urban design consultancy to look at the potential for regeneration in Redhill town centre, building upon the existing enhancements, and to develop a framework for the town’s future development.
Redhill has been identified as a “centre of strategic importance” in Surrey’s emerging Structure Plan, the major framework that lays out guidelines for all future development in the county.
Consultation is "crucial"
Cllr Roger Newstead, Executive Member for Local Economy said: “Community consultation will play a crucial role in the regeneration study.
"As a first step we would like to hear from the residents, businesses and shoppers of Redhill about what they consider to be the best features of the town, its current problems and their suggested solutions and what they would like to see happen in the town centre.
“The Council has already implemented various physical improvements in the town centre as part of Phase One of the Redhill revitalisation project, completed in October 2004.
"This latest consultation regarding the potential regeneration of the town centre will build upon, rather than duplicate, previous consultations.
“The consultants will use the feedback they receive from the community to put together a detailed framework for the town centre, which will be used to guide a gradual regeneration process, taking place over the next 15 years or so. Our approach will be one of quality and sustainability.
“I would urge as many members of the community to take part in this consultation and submit their views to have their say in the longer-term plans for Redhill.”
Development potential
As part of their study the consultants, Colin Buchanan and Partners, will be looking at the character of the area, its strengths and weaknesses and identify key sites that may have development potential.
The study will look at the area stretching from the Memorial Park to Brook Road on the A23, and from Noke Drive to St Matthews Church on the A25.
Martina Juvara of Colin Buchanan and Partners said: “In its 150 year history, Redhill has grown to offer a substantial and diverse town centre. It has modern office accommodation, significant retail floor space, a cultural complex with theatre, cinema and library that is unique in the Borough.
“Centred on a pedestrianised cross-roads it is also a compact and comfortable town centre.
"Its most striking feature is the variety of architecture and landscape architecture: attractive Victorian buildings are still there to testify Redhill’s early days, but are flanked by large 1980s and 1990s developments, such as the Warwick Quadrant, symbols of Redhill economic boom and by very contemporary glazed and stainless steel designs.
“There is now the opportunity to bring Redhill's potential to fruition, by expanding its night time and cultural offer, by improving the pedestrian spaces beyond the ring roads, so that people can more easily walk into town and by planning new and exciting developments.”
Based on the outcomes of this initial consultation Colin Buchanan and Partners will put together their proposals and a further public consultation to consider these will be held in the summer.
A Task Group has been set up to steer the regenration project and is made up of representatives from Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Redhill Town Centre Partnership, Redhill Chamber of Commerce and urban design consultants, Colin Buchanan and Partners.
Feedback
Anyone who wishes to comment on how they would like to see the future of Redhill should do so in writing by 31 January 2005 to
- Richard Taylor,
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council,
Town Hall, Castlefield Road,
Reigate, RH2 0SH, or - E-mail your views to richard.taylor@reigate-banstead.gov.uk
Earlier news
- Maple Square officially declared open (4 October 2004)
- First phase of Redhill revitalisation nears completion (6 Aug 2004)
- Competition for public to name town square (12 July 2004)
- First trees planted in new boulevard (2 July 2004)
- Old Redhill signs taken down (24 May 2004)
- Mayor lends hand as work starts (20 February 2004)
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council
Town Hall
Castlefield Road
Reigate
RH2 0SH
01737 276000
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