Final draft addresses concerns to pedestrianise the High Street, residents are being urged to have their say
Earlier this year the community responded strongly to elements of the masterplan, Gill, who's lived in the town for more than 30 years, told me, "It’s a bad idea to pedestrianise the High Street, it will kill it."
Peter Gohegan, aka Mr Bun the Baker, had the same opinion, as did most of the residents I spoke to at the last public consultation at the town hall.
Since then the borough council's plans have been revised, and people are being urged to give their feedback.
Hunstanton High Street
The council says it's 'noted the strong concern' about pedestrianisation, adding that it 'could be flexible'.
"Subject to further feasibility with the Highway authority, a range of options could be considered including seasonal only pedestrianisation, timed with car access before lunchtime, and the street becoming pedestrian priority in the afternoons and evenings, and blue badge parking being available all day."
The Masterplan 'seeks to enhance Hunstanton as a beautiful and high-quality place to live, visit and do business, to boost the resort as a year-round visitor destination beyond the main holiday season'.
Within the documents are plans to upgrade or replace the Oasis leisure centre, but that comes under 'long term completions' (10 to 15 years), described as 'a major project requiring significant outside investment'.
You can have your say on the final draft until Monday July 27th (link below). They'll also be drop-in sessions, with exhibition boards on display, and members of the project team on hand to answer questions:
- Monday 13 July 10am–6pm Hunstanton Town Hall
- Tuesday 21 July 12pm–4pm Oasis Leisure Centre
The exhibition boards will be at the leisure centre throughout the consultation period.
Cllr Simon Ring adds, “The Masterplan is an important strategic starting point for planning for the future of Hunstanton, to drive regeneration, investment and opportunity over the next 10-20 years.
“If you live in the Hunstanton area, work there or visit, please do take the time to look at the final draft, come along to one of the drop-in sessions if you can, and have your say prior to adoption."
"We want to have a collective vision that everyone feels they can get behind, rooted in the town’s strength’s, opportunities and people’s collective ambitions for Hunstanton” Cllr Ring adds.
Once consultation ends, the masterplan will be updated further if necessary, and considered by the borough council later this year.