9 July 2007, 07/227
Skelmersdale - the full picture
There has been considerable coverage in local media of some
aspects of the proposals to regenerate Skelmersdale town centre.
West Lancashire District Council is concerned, however, to ensure
that all aspects of the proposals are understood by local people,
so that the right decisions are made in the interests of the
community of Skelmersdale.
West Lancashire District Council believes that Skelmersdale
deserves a first-rate town centre - not a second-best compromise.
The proposals for the town centre are ambitious and exciting in
order to create a vibrant, active new heart for the town.
The Council is working with a company who are the UK's leading
regeneration specialists - St Modwen - who are ready to bring in
more than £100 million of investment to deliver the things that the
people of Skelmersdale said they want, such as:
· a new and exciting town centre
· a cinema
· new community facilities
· new shops and restaurants
· a fantastic new swimming pool and leisure centre
These will bring not only new life to the town centre, but also new
jobs and a better-quality environment that will benefit
everyone.
The Council understands that, as we put forward these major
proposals, we have a responsibility towards anyone who may be
affected. Our starting point is that we want everyone to benefit
from the project and that no-one is disadvantaged. This is why a
clear decision was taken to consult people at an early stage,
before any final decisions were taken. As part of this early
consultation, choices still have to be made on a number of key
aspects of this development.
Cllr Ian Grant, portfolio holder for regeneration, said: "A project
of this scale clearly will represent a major change to the town,
and the Council understands that this can cause anxiety and concern
to people most directly affected. This is something that often
occurs in major regeneration schemes, and I want to reassure people
that the Council is committed to listening to all the objections
raised.
"But we are also committed to ensuring that the full facts of the
project are understood, that all voices are heard from local people
and that, even though consideration might have to be given to
further reflection on some aspects of this scheme, that sight is
not lost of the major goal. The headlines in the local papers don't
always give the full picture.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for Skelmersdale to become a
first-class place for people to live, work and visit, with
facilities fit for the 21st century with new shops, leisure
facilities, housing and community facilities as well as proposals
for a brand new centre for Skelmersdale College."
The consultation period runs until Tuesday 24 July and to ensure
that everyone gets information and has the chance to comment, a
special information paper and questionnaire has been sent to every
home in the town. The questionnaire is also available for
completion online via the new Skelmersdale section.
Views are sought on some of the important questions on the options
facing the Council to enable it to draw up a masterplan later this
year, which will set out in detail how the proposals might be
implemented. Further consultation on the draft masterplan will also
take place later this year.
The proposals for the town centre have been put together by West
Lancashire District Council in partnership with national
regeneration agency English Partnerships. St Modwen Plc, the UK's
leading regeneration specialist, has been chosen as the preferred
developer for the plans.
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