Town centre masterplan is 'scrapped

Written by Julia Rogerson and published in Matlock Mercury on Thu 3rd Jul 2008

GONE? The Masterplan promised a new library and community arts building for the Lido site

Matlock Masterplan - a blueprint for town's future - has been "scrapped" in shock moves by the district council

Ambitious proposals to transform the town centre over the next 15 years have been withdrawn in favour of a set of guidelines which the district council is not bound by.

And town leaders have hit out at the move which they say will water down the town's vision for the future.

Plans including a new library, community building and town hall square are not included on new maps.

Firs Parade, which was earmarked for pedestrianisation and rebuilding, may also remain as it is. The council will also lose its compulsory purchase power.

At a meeting of Derbyshire Dales District Council on Thursday Cllr Steve Flitter said he was disappointed the Masterplan was to be replaced by a Supplementary Planning Document.

He added: "I do regret the Masterplan is now dead and to get action in the town we have to lower our expectations.

"The new plans really have not got the teeth Matlock Masterplan had."

Town councillor Martin Burfoot said he shared the disappointment and felt the district council had tried to water down the differences between the two schemes but had been forced to admit the new draft document was not as strong.

He added: "We have been talking about the future of the town centre for ages but never seem to get any further forward with all the bureaucracy hold-ups.

"If they can't compulsorily purchase land it will be very difficult to get the right things in the right place."

Cllr Flitter urged council members to include Dale Road and Bakewell Road in the document. These areas will now be considered before plans are finalised.

Speaking on Monday he said he had hoped a community arts venue and new library would still have been included.

He added: "Expectations will drop quite dramatically."

Mike Hase, district council planning policy manager, said there had been a change in emphasis.

He added: "We wanted to still make sure we were doing something for the future of Matlock and for the town centre rather than completely abandoning all the hard work we have done. We decided we wanted to change tack."

Mr Hase said the new plans should be achievable within the next ten years.

He added: "It does not have the teeth of the master plan but it still gives us significant options to use it when we look at proposals coming forward in the town."

A public meeting will take place at Matlock Town Hall on July 15 at 6pm.

Exhibitions will be held in Hall Leys Park, the town hall reception and Imperial Rooms from July 10 to August 21.

Leaflets will also be available from the library and tourist information centre.