Taunton will be given a "green makeover" as the vision for the garden town at last begins to take shape.
Somerset West and Taunton Council has published its garden town vision document, laying out how future development in the county town will take place with an emphasis on green space and improved public transport links.
The council's executive approved the vision at a meeting on Tuesday evening (July 23), with the full council set to sign off on the plan on July 30.
Here are ten things we learned about the future of Taunton from the garden town vision:
1) Improving green spaces will be at the heart of it
The council has promised to give Taunton "a green makeover", joining up its existing public spaces, parks and play spaces, as well as planting more trees and "managing our water more imaginatively" to attract visitors and wildlife, as well as encouraging greater recreation among residents.
2) Car drivers will be taking a back seat
The vision promises "improved bus and appropriate vehicle links", with walking and cycling being encouraged between the town centre and the communities on the periphery of the town.
The plan focuses on promoting "attractive alternatives to the car" - though the district and county councils will have to work together to achieve this.
3) There will be new development - but it will be high quality
Council leader Federica Smith-Roberts has confirmed new housing growth will be required in Monkton Heathfield, Comeytrowe and Trull, as well as the Nerrols Farm and Staplegrove sites.
But she has committed to "upping the quality of new development" with better infrastructure to connect the homes to the town centre and creating houses which are "distinctly local in appearance."
4) New technology will be embraced
New homes built under the garden town vision will be expected to be more energy efficient and will "exploit the latest sustainable technologies". The garden town as a whole is expected to "pursue low-carbon and digital infrastructure", allowing its economy to grow and productivity to improve without damaging the environment through pollution.
5) Arts and culture will play a big part
The Firepool and Coal Orchard sites are cited within the vision document, which seeks to create "a dynamic and prosperous community founded on knowledge, culture and business".
While the document is short on detail, it does commit to "germinating and growing arts and cultural venues", which could include the much-trumpeted multi-purpose venue being proposed as part of the Firepool regeneration.
6) The town's "waterside" nature will be enhanced and promoted
The vision document talks a lot about the River Tone and its tributaries, highlighting the risks from flooding and the pull they provide for visitors and residents alike.
The council has committed to "maintaining and enhancing" the town's waterways, as well as taking measures to prevent flooding in built-up areas and "opening up our streams, streets and public spaces for shade, amenity and wildlife".
7) More parks will be created
As well as improving existing green spaces and the links between them, the council wants to see more "pocket parks" - smaller green spaces around housing developments which are both attractive and play a role in localised flood prevention.
8) An Oyster card-style system could be introduced
As well as making buses more frequent, the council wants to explore new ways of delivering shared transport, such as car clubs and bike sharing schemes. It will explore whether a pre-payment card system (similar to the Oyster scheme in Greater London) can be implemented on the town's buses to allow people to get around more easily.
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9) The town centre will be revitalised and regenerated
The council will encourage more people to live in central locations (e.g. flats above shops) to reduce congestion, and will "encourage the clustering of our shopping activity more centrally around the Market House."
The night-time economy will be bolstered by "cultural, leisure and arts facilities", working with the Brewhouse Theatre and possible developments within the Firepool and Coal Orchard sites to create "a sense of place".
10) It will cater for all age groups
The council has said it wants Taunton to "provide easy access to a range of activities that will support the health and well-being of people of all ages and backgrounds." As well as offering culture and leisure opportunities, support will be provided to local businesses (tied in with the opening of the Nexus 25 site) and creating a university in Somerset remains a priority.
Rod Williams, the county councillor for Norton Fitzwarren and Staplegrove, said the vision could be delivered if the district council stuck closely to it.
He said: "We are aiming at the right thing - it is ambitious. We want to raise the quality of every part of living in Taunton.
"It is strategic - it considers Taunton in the whole. It is deliverable and it is realistic if we stick with it."
The council will be recruiting a garden town project manager to oversee its various aspects, and a new website will be created to promote the town.
The garden town vision was unanimously approved by the executive, and will come before the full council for final approval on Tuesday (July 30).
If it is approved, a delivery plan will be created in the coming months to show how this vision will be practically achieved.
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