We’ve set out below a number of issues that we feel affect the town centre. These have been identified through previous studies and consultations and are, in no particular order, issues that we think need to be addressed through the Plan.
Defining the Town Centre
The first key issue to address is defining the extent of the town centre for the purposes of the Plan. The town centre is currently defined in the Warwick District Local Plan and this is attached as Appendix 1.
Protecting Historic Buildings and Places
The historic importance of the town centre and its attractive buildings and places are one of its key strengths, attracting many visitors to the town who help to support the local shops and businesses. It is vitally important therefore to maintain and enhance the historic environment of the town centre to ensure that it retains its integrity and remains attractive. We believe one of the key issues will be whether the historic buildings and places are adequately protected, or whether more should be done to enhance them.
The high level of protection afforded to the character and setting of historic buildings and places can in some cases influence opportunities for new development. Another key issue for the town centre will be identifying development opportunities that will protect and enhance the historic environment, whilst also responding to the need to make best use of buildings or land that become available for development within the town.
Making use of Development Opportunities
There are a number of buildings and areas in the town centre that are owned by public bodies, such as Warwickshire County Council, the District Council, the Police or the Town Council. As part of an ongoing process of review, many of them may become either vacant or under used in the future and therefore surplus to requirements. Alternatively, some land or buildings may be released to act as a catalyst for change and regeneration. In addition, there are buildings currently in private ownership which are vacant or under-used.
There are therefore many buildings and areas that are either available, or likely to be available in the future, for re-use or redevelopment. A key issue for the Town Centre Plan will be to consider what new uses should be planned for these buildings and areas, and how and when development should be carried out. It also needs to consider whether the buildings should be retained or whether they should be redeveloped, and if so, what design of new building should be built.
Reducing the Impact of Traffic on the Town Centre
The volume and nature of traffic can have a significant impact on the town centre environment and we believe a key issue will therefore be how to build on the work already carried out by the Town Centre Forum in developing traffic management measures that reduce the impact of traffic on the town centre.
However, new development or proposals which help increase the attractiveness of the town centre and support the local economy may place more pressure on the road system which in turn could represent a real threat to the ability of the town centre to attract more visitors. Another key issue will therefore be how the transport demands of any new developments can be met in a way which does not undermine the plan. In addressing this issue, it will be important to recognise that some of the solutions may lie outside the town centre, such as the potential for Park and Ride sites on the edge of the town or changes to the road network around the town centre.
Improving Access to the Town Centre
In reducing the impact of traffic flows to and through the town centre, a key issue will be how to ensure that access to the centre is improved for businesses and visitors. The frequency and convenience of public transport services will be important, and a key issue will be how the train and bus can be made more attractive modes of transport for regular commuters and visitors. Similarly, the location and nature of pedestrian and cycle routes within the town centre will need to be considered to see how they can provide safer and easier access, including for people with impaired mobility.
Car parking around the town centre is also important as it is recognised that many people will continue to need to use the car to access homes, shops and services. We believe a key issue will be whether the quantity, quality and distribution of car parking spaces around the town centre is appropriate in order to improve access but reduce congestion. Similarly, how to maintain access to town centre shops and businesses for deliveries will also need to be considered.
Developing the Town Centre Economy
Enhancing the environment for visitors and improving access should make the town centre more attractive to businesses, which is particularly important in the current uncertain economic climate. A key issue will also therefore be how the Plan should help the town centre economy to develop in the future.
Shops and Services
In terms of retailing, there is currently a variety of shops and services spread across the town centre and a key issue will be whether this is sufficient to meet the needs of the town. The town centre does not currently compete with the nearby larger centres of Leamington, Stratford, Coventry and Solihull in attracting major national retailers. This has been in part due to the demands of those retailers for larger and more modern stores and the nature of the buildings available in Warwick. We believe that a key issue will be whether the town centre should try and compete with larger centres in attracting the major national retailers to Warwick, or whether the town centre should instead focus on attracting smaller independent and specialist stores meeting the needs of local people and visitors to the town.
Whilst historically the number of empty shops has been low compared with other towns, shops and businesses do frequently change and sometimes properties are empty for some time. The recent economic downturn has resulted in some buildings becoming vacant and this can have a negative effect on the appearance of the area. A related key issue for the Plan is how strict it should be in the future in allowing shops to change to other uses such as offices and businesses, day nurseries or bars or restaurants within the main shopping areas of the town centre, e.g. along Swan Street or Smith Street.
Employment and Offices
As well as shops and services, it will be important to consider whether other employment uses such as offices and commercial uses should be attracted to the centre, perhaps in terms of development opportunities or better promotion of the town. This will be important in the context of the re-location of the Courts to Leamington and the potential for further reductions in other public sector employees, and the impact this may have on shops and services as a result of reduced numbers of office workers being within the town centre during the week.
Visitor Attractions and Accommodation
New uses within the town centre could help widen its appeal and attract more visitors. Attracting more visitors helps to raise the profile of the town and can support businesses to grow and develop to the benefit of the local economy. We believe a key issue will be whether there is a need or demand for more visitor attractions, such as museums, events or exhibitions, and what opportunities there are for these to be provided within the town centre. Encouraging visitors to stay longer within the town centre will clearly also help to support the local economy. A related key issue will therefore be whether there is a need or demand for more visitor accommodation within the town centre and where best that should be provided so as to benefit the town.
Restaurants and Cafes
Attracting other uses to the town centre, such as restaurants, cafes and bars, can also help to ensure it is kept active through the day and evening. The town centre has seen an increase in these uses. However, an over emphasis could be to the detriment of other town centre uses, like shops due to a lack of daytime activity, or housing due to anti social behaviour at night, although crime and disorder in Warwick is low compared with other town centres. A key issue will therefore be how to manage the evening economy to the benefit of the town, with a specific related issue being how to provide facilities for young people in the town centre in the evening.
Providing more Varied Housing
Making the town centre more attractive for existing residents living there and managing the relationship between uses will be important as the town centre has benefited from recent growth in new houses and apartments. The District also needs further new homes over the next 15-20 years and, in order to avoid developing greenfield land, opportunities on brownfield sites within the urban areas will be considered first. A key issue will therefore be to what extent new homes can be accommodated within the town centre and what types of new homes should be provided, e.g. houses or apartments, or privately owned or socially rented. This will be important to ensuring a more balanced community and help support the provision of local services such as schools.
Providing more or better Public Services
Increasing the resident population of the town centre and having a more balanced population may create more demand for public services, such as schools and health facilities. Access to services is an important issue for local communities, and there is currently a lack of health facilities in the town centre. We believe a key issue to address is therefore whether more facilities are required to serve the town centre population, and how and where they can be provided.
Addressing Climate Change
Reducing the causes of climate change and adapting to its predicted impacts are global and national issues which must be addressed. A key issue for this Plan will be how emissions of greenhouse gases within the town centre can be reduced, such as from buildings and transport. The scale and nature of development opportunities may present an opportunity to look at a range of different technologies that provide renewable or low carbon energy sources for both new and existing developments within the town centre area.
Enhancing Parks and Public Spaces
An increased population and more visitors place increased demands on parks and public spaces. The town centre contains, or adjoins, a number of parks and gardens which provide important areas for wildlife and recreation, such as Priory Park, Hill Close Gardens, Warwick Racecourse and St. Nicholas Park. There are also a number of more urban public spaces, such as the Market Place, which provide for public congregation and activity. We believe a key issue will be how these spaces can be improved or better utilised, and made more accessible to meet the future needs of residents, as well as acting as attractions for visitors to the area. Warwick Castle Park also represents an asset of historical and environmental importance. We believe a key issue will be how the future use and management of the Park can be resolved to ensure that it is appropriately maintained to protect its character and the setting of the castle, whilst enabling residents and visitors to enjoy the area.
Warwick Castle and the Town
Warwick Castle is an internationally recognised visitor attraction and draws many visitors from all over the country and the world. The continued success of the castle as a visitor attraction and local employer is clearly important to the town and the local economy. However, a key issue is whether there is a need for stronger links between the castle and the town centre and its attractions. There is a perception that most visitors to the castle do not also visit the town and that the town does not benefit as much as it could from having such a major visitor attraction. We believe that how to improve the linkages between the castle and the town centre both from a physical perspective and from a business perspective in terms of joint events or marketing is a key issue.
Warwick Racecourse and the Town
Warwick Racecourse is also an important attraction and draws visitors to the area for its regular meetings. Its success is important to the town centre and the local economy. As with the castle, it is important to ensure that the racecourse benefits the town centre and its attractions as much as possible by drawing people into the town. We believe that how to improve the linkages between the racecourse and the town centre both from a physical perspective and from a business perspective is also therefore a key issue.
It is an important part of this process to also think about what we want Warwick town centre to be like in the future. Here are some ideas as to what a vision for the town centre might contain:
• “a thriving town centre providing more shops and services for local needs as well as for the visitors attracted to the town”;
• “a historic town centre developed in ways which protect its individual characteristics and identity”;
• “a high quality and safe environment with low levels of waste and pollution”;
• “a town centre rich in heritage with many nationally and locally important buildings as well as attractive and well-used green spaces”;
• “a strong economy with innovative new companies, good transport connections where the impact of traffic has been reduced, and high quality housing to meet the communities’ needs with access for all to services and facilities.”
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