Four priority projects for Yeovil Refresh have been set after
residents and businesses had their say
The aim of Yeovil Refresh is to create a town centre that will
be a vibrant place to live, work, shop, learn and visit. Working
with consultants and key partners, South Somerset District Council
has been exploring how it can best invest in Yeovil's future.
Residents and businesses have been able to express their views on
the proposals since February.
The newly-formed Yeovil Refresh Board held its first meeting in
mid-July to drive the project forward. One of its first tasks was
to assess at the feedback and decide the priority projects which
will enable work to begin.
Here are some of the key things you told us:
- You'd like to see the main high streets kept clean and
better kept with nicer planters and other greenery, while keeping
the streets from being too cluttered.
- You'd like to see improvements in vehicular and
pedestrian access into the heart of Yeovil for locals and
visitors
- There are concerns about some vehicle access to parts
of the town centre (in particular on Middle Street)
- You'd like to make the town's open areas more
appealing, using the space that is available to encourage
visitors.
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The feedback obtained during the consultation has allowed the
priority projects to be set. These are:
- Assessing further pedestrianisation of parts of Middle
Street.
- A Public Realm Design Guide to help shape the use and
look of open spaces in the town centre
- An assessment of access to the town
centre
- A review of car parks in Yeovil (assessing current and
future provision, cycle parking, electric charging points and
more)
A detailed brief has been produced for the Car Park Review and
the tender process is due to start in August. The review is due to
be completed by the end of 2018 and forms an important element of
the delivery plan for Yeovil.
Council officers have also met to consider the
recommendations regarding improving pedestrian access and more
generally enhancing public open space in the town centre and work
on these elements of the plan will also take place during the
remainder of 2018.
A stakeholder group has now been established and is
planning its first meeting. This group consists of representatives
from Yeovil Town Council, and the Chamber of Trade and Commerce,
and Ward Members. Further invitations will be going out to key
partners.
Councillor Peter Gubbins, Executive Member for Yeovil Refresh,
said: "We were excited to share our vision for the Yeovil Refresh
project earlier this year and to obtain your opinions on the key
elements that could be realised in the town centre of Yeovil.
"Plans are starting to come together and work is being
undertaken by council officers now that the priority projects have
been set. We want to work with you to create something special - a
dynamic and distinctive regional town centre."
A number of key principles will continue to guide the Yeovil
Refresh project. South Somerset District Council wants to:
• Increase the quantity and quality of residential
development in the town centre
• Support the hospital and college's objectives for
innovation and development
• Celebrate the town's heritage, art and cultural
offer
• Strengthen and consolidate the town's retail
centre
• Improve the quality of public and green
spaces
• Encourage good access to the town, making it
convenient and attractive to move through
• Encourage healthy living opportunities
• Increase breadth of offer of things to do to encourage
people to spend more time in the centre
• Increase mix of uses to creative vitality throughout
day and evening
• Increase the number and diversity of employment
opportunities
• Create an exciting calendar of markets and
events
You can still view all of the proposals and make comments on the
SSDC website at www.southsomerset.gov.uk/yeovilrefreshproject.