A timeline has been produced to develop a masterplan for Knutsford Town Centre by December 2026.
Developing a masterplan for the future of the town centre is one of the town council’s core strategic objectives, and a working group of councillors has agreed a plan to see the document prepared over the next year.
The aim of the masterplan will be to deliver a consensus view on how the town centre should develop and tackle long standing issues of the conflict between traffic and pedestrians as well as developing proposals to ensure the continued success and vitality of the town centre.
The masterplan will comprise four chapters:
- Movement and Access
- Public Realm and Placemaking
- Development Opportunities
- Economy and Uses
Cllr Christopher Gray will lead the Movement and Access chapter which will look at issues such as traffic, pedestrian access and parking. Public Realm and Placemaking will be led by Cllr Matthew Robertson, exploring streets, public spaces, materials, street furniture and heritage.
Town Mayor Cllr Bryan Hartley will lead the development opportunities theme, looking at revitalising underused spaces in the town centre. Cllr April Johnson, who chairs the council’s Town Centre Committee, will lead the Economy and Uses theme, which will look at the evening and cultural economy, town centre facilities and what uses the town needs.
To launch the new process, the council is hosting two information and discussion sessions at Knutsford Market Hall on Wednesday 1st October at 1pm and 7pm. The council will provide more information on previous proposals for the town centre, the timeline to develop this plan and facilitate discussion on issues that the four themes need to investigate.
The council is also inviting up to seven residents to join one of each of the four thematic groups and help develop the proposes for that chapter. Residents can find out more at one of the sessions, or by emailing townclerk@knutsfordtowncouncil.gov.uk.