Rushmoor Borough Council cabinet has backed plans which it hopes will boost Aldershot and provide a bright future for the town.
At a meeting at the council offices on Tuesday (January 12), cabinet approved the Aldershot Town Prospectus, which sets out a strategy for regeneration in Aldershot town centre for the coming 10 to 15 years.
It hopes to transform the town into a family friendly centre, proud of its military and Victorian heritage.
Published in September by Rushmoor Borough Council (RBC), the prospectus includes homes, public spaces and a transformed theatre. It also identifies four key sites as having development and investment potential in the shorter-term: The Galleries shopping centre, buildings in Union Street around to the High Street, Princes Hall and the police station, and the train station.
The council worked with Allies and Morrison Urban Practitioners to produce the draft plans, which it hopes will attract further new investment to Aldershot and build on the opportunities brought by the 3,850-home Wellesley development.
The report now has the approval of the cabinet to adopt the Aldershot Town Centre Prospectus as a Supplementary Planning Document, which means it will provide information and guidance on the policies in the development plan.
Following a public consultation on the draft prospectus last year which gathered 180 responses the council has made several changes to the document, including increased emphasis on improving access to the town centre via public transport and cycling.
The importance of Aldershot’s unique history has been strengthened throughout the document as well as the importance of improving links with Westgate.
The council will be using the prospectus as a tool to market Aldershot town centre and encourage the private sector to engage and invest in the town’s future.
In addition, the council will play its part in encouraging inward investment, supporting business start-ups and bringing empty shop units back into use.
Although outside the remit of the prospectus, the council has acknowledged issues raised by residents relating to parking and feelings of safety and will be looking at these issues in the coming months.
The council will also be exploring options to create a town square off Union Street if a long-term occupier for the former Marks & Spencer store cannot be found or as part of the redevelopment of The Galleries.
'Huge potential for growth'
RBC leader, Councillor Peter Moyle said: “It’s an exciting time for Aldershot with many opportunities brought by the Wellesley development which is bringing with it new homes and residents.
“The Enterprise M3 local enterprise partnership has also identified Aldershot as a ‘step up town’ with huge potential for growth.
“We will be using the prospectus as a framework to guide future development, attract additional funding for regeneration and as a marketing tool to attract investors.”
Cllr Roland Dibbs, environment and service delivery portfolio holder, said: “It’s encouraging that Empire has been bought and the Palace has once again reopened and these are a good indication that people do have faith in Aldershot.
“The town has a bright future and we look forward to seeing that for future years.”
The council will also be organising an event to officially launch the prospectus for local businesses and potential investors.
For further information and to read a copy of the document go to rushmoor.gov.uk/improvingaldershot.
