Staines-upon-Thames - a masterplan for the town centre

This is a custom heading element.Spelthorne Borough Council has appointed a team led by town planning and urban design experts David Lock Associates to prepare a masterplan for the town centre of Staines-upon-Thames. The masterplan will examine various opportunities for beneficial change. In addition, the masterplan will consider ways to diversify the range of activities that take place in the town centre, and look at options for improving access around the town centre particularly for pedestrians, cyclists and users of public transport. The masterplan will also focus on making the town centre a more attractive place to spend time in, improving existing streets and spaces and capitalising on the town's location on the River. Underpinning the masterplan will be a delivery strategy setting out how changes can be implemented over the short, medium and long term which will aim to be aspirational but also achievable and deliverable. The masterplan is being prepared in support of the emerging Spelthorne Local Plan and will be used as part of the evidence base for that document. Councillor Ian Harvey, Leader of Spelthorne Borough Council, said: "This is an exciting opportunity for the Council to plan the future of Staines-upon-Thames town centre to create an even more attractive and welcoming place to live and do business. The Council recognises that these are challenging times for our town centres, but through engaging extensively with businesses, residents and stakeholders and working proactively to address issues and opportunities, we will make Staines-upon-Thames an even more vibrant and resilient place for the future." Councillor Helen Harvey, Spelthorne Council's Portfolio Holder for Investment Portfolio Management and Regeneration, said: "Being a major landowner gives us a unique opportunity to create a strong long-term vision for a thriving town centre. We are focused on creating a plan which acknowledges the way residents use the town centre is changing and will consider all aspects including infrastructure, retail, residential housing, the arts, leisure and culture." Matthew Lappin, senior associate at David Lock Associates, said: "We are delighted to be partnering with Spelthorne Borough Council to produce a masterplan for Staines-upon-Thames town centre. The town already has a number of key assets, a good variety or shops, businesses and leisure facilities, and an attractive setting by the River Thames. The aim of the masterplan will be to find ways of maintaining these assets and identify new and deliverable opportunities to make the town centre an even better place to live, work and spend time in."