A masterplan for Basingstoke town centre has been approved by the council’s cabinet.
Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council voted to adopt the new town centre strategy in a bid to increase footfall, improve the environment and add vibrancy, prosperity and better transport infrastructure at its December 6 meeting.
The strategy, prepared by Allies and Morrison, attracted more than 3,000 responses since it was launched last year.
The council says it seeks to make the town less reliant on retail and have greater flexibility to provide community and cultural uses, workspace, and education.
The plan pinpoints specific locations for consideration for regeneration including the railway station and The Malls, Basing View and Eastrop Roundabout, Church Street and the Top of the Town.
Cabinet member for finance and property Cllr John Izett said: “Basingstoke town centre is one of the UK’s top shopping centres, but like so many centres across the country it is threatened by changing shopping habits and economic pressures post-Covid. That is why as a council we are taking action with a new plan to ensure that our town centre has a strong, resilient future.
“What residents told us they wanted is the central pillar of the plan so that our town centre will remain relevant and attractive. We now need to move forward purposefully with partners to implement this exciting new plan.”
The masterplan development has been supported by transport partners Stagecoach, South West Railway, Network Rail and Hampshire County Council.
At the same meeting the council’s cabinet decided its town centre parking strategy and a framework for culture in Basingstoke and Deane was developed, which will be implemented through a Cultural Compact partnership.
Among the next moves planned, the council will bring forward schemes to improve the public open spaces, such as around the Anvil theatre, continue work on planning transport improvements, and carry out detailed analysis of regenerating council-owned sites.
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