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The New Face of Bridgwater
Right from the start, local people told us that there aren't enough jobs here, that jobs are too often low-paid, that housing is low quality, that the town centre is declining, that moving around is often a real problem.
But they've also told us that Bridgwater has some stunning buildings and settings, some highly motivated and skilled people, a real sense of pride and a shared wish to rediscover the town's place at the heart of its wider area and community.
This year's early work on the ‘Bridgwater Challenge Project' was the start, just the start, of tackling such issues and problems (the ‘challenges'). The aim is to transform the town of Bridgwater over the next 25 years.
The Challenge project will ensure the town is fit for the future and will provide a sustainable mix of uses that meets the needs of the local community and also attracts investors, employers, families and younger people.
It will set the scene for putting Bridgwater back ‘on the map', changing local people's, and outsiders' views of the town for the better.
Outside consultants (a team led by Gillespies) have worked closely with local people and the Bridgwater Challenge Partnership (see Contacts page for details of partners) to produce the overall Vision. This will not just guide the right development to the right place but provide the sort of reassurance about a properly planned future that will attract developers and investors even in these difficult times.
The Vision is now complete.
It will be signed off and be published via this website very soon.
WHAT NEXT?
Though we can't say exactly, because it's still in the melting pot, this will not be the end of the project - a Vision is only as good as what actually happens on the ground. As soon as any group or unit, staff or procedures get settled we'll give you the key information on this site.
Three substantial Background Reports can be downloaded from here if you wish to see all the work that led up to the final Vision. They are:
Baseline report Strategic Framework Options Draft Report Issue A April 2009
Strategic Framework Options Draft Report Issue B June 2009
