Redevelopment plans on display

RESIDENTS have been given their first glimpse of plans to transform a town centre in a bid to revitalise shopping and provide an attractive environment for people to live in.

Plans to revolutionise Haverhill's town centre moved a step closer on Monday when the first proposed designs of the town's new image was unveiled.

Now members of the Haverhill Area Working Party, who designed the masterplan, are calling on residents to make their opinions known.

Working party chairman and town resident Jeff Stevens said: “The masterplan is a vision for the future of Haverhill town centre.

“We want to tackle the problems experienced by those using the existing town centre and create opportunities for the future improvement of the town.

“This new plan marks the beginning of a new era for Haverhill. The town centre has the potential to grow and reclaim its share of the shopping market, which is being lost to nearby towns.

“It can also become an exciting place in which to relax and socialise as well as work.”

Under the auspices of St Edmundsbury Borough Council, the working party say they want to create an attractive shopping environment, a place where business can thrive, people can enjoy themselves and an environment where people want to live.

Made up of a cross-party group of councillors, the group have focused their attentions on the town centre and hope any new development would fit in with the masterplan's themes.

Following the launch, residents in the town will now be sent information about the masterplan and invited to send in their comments, which will be published early next year.

Further displays of the plans will be on show in Haverhill Arts Centre and the town's council offices for the whole of November.

They will also be on display throughout the day at Samuel Ward Upper School on November 6 and at Castle Manor Upper School on November 20.