North Lanarkshire Council said it had produced a Draft Town Centre Framework and Action Plan for Cumbernauld, with the documents outlining the priorities and principles to guide future changes in the town, as well as practical actions to be undertaken by the local authority and its partners. They incorporate feedback received from both online and customer surveys, plus drop-in sessions with local residents that were carried out at the end of 2012. In addition, earlier this year, business surveys, meetings with community groups and a Health Check of the town centre was held.
Some of the messages that have come from the consultation include: better facilities, attractions and activities within the town centre, particularly for families and young people; an improved environment, both inside the shopping areas and externally; a better range and quality of shops; and more appeal, attractiveness and atmosphere in the town centre.
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To help address these issues, the Framework and Action Plans highlights priority areas for redesign and renewal - Central Way, the Tryst Walk and Esk Walk corridors - or to find an alternative use and diversification.
Local representatives and others with an interest in the town centre are now being asked for their views on the plans. A formal public consultation process will follow early in 2014.
Residents, community groups and businesses can also make comments on the draft documents now and are available from the Council's website. Paper copies can also be viewed in Cumbernauld and Abronhill libraries.
Councillor Stephanie Muir, Vice-Convener of the Planning and Transportation Committee, said: "Throughout the process of developing the Framework and Action Plan we have listened to the views of the people who use Cumbernauld town centre.
"It is important that these documents meet the needs of residents, shoppers and businesses so we need to know if the priorities, outcomes and actions planned reflect those needs. I hope people will take this opportunity to influence the future of Cumbernauld.
"Town centres, like Cumbernauld, are facing increasing competition from out-of-town shopping centres, supermarkets and online sales so our challenge is to find a new, sustainable future for our town centres.
"To achieve this, we must work closely with the community, private owners in the town centre, public agencies and elected members and the Framework and Action Plan is the first stage of that work."
The consultation runs until the end of October.
(JP/CD)
