Council warned over lack of support for Buxton high street funding bid

The community group was part of a steering committee which saw Buxton - one of just 100 towns chosen across England - win a grant to set out more detailed plans transforming its centre.

High Peak Borough Council is due to submit its bid on June 5.

In February BCA - along with Vision Buxton and Buxton Town Team - raised ‘significant objections’ to High Peak Borough Council’s plans following a public consultation.

Among their concerns was a ‘minimal focus’ by the council on improvements to the high street itself - and too much emphasis on the now ‘outdated’ Springs Shopping Centre and ‘unpopular’ proposals for underground carparks.

After the council unveiled its plans in January Roddie MacLean, chairman of business group Vision Buxton, blasted them for ‘funnelling’ visitors from the station and a new multi-level underground car park directly into ‘a retained 1980's shopping centre’.

Along with BCA Vision Buxton slammed the proposals for placing too much emphasis on locating shops and accommodation outside of Spring Gardens.

Roddie also lambasted the council for suggesting a new pedestrian route into the town via three sets of steps with three sets of lifts for the less able-bodied.

He added: “We’re inviting people into the town and saying the only way for the less able-bodied into the town is to use three lifts.”

In response to such strong dissatisfaction the council updated its plans this month.

However BCA say the changes do not go far enough.

Among the council’s revised proposals are plans for a system of ramps integrated with steps on the new pedestrian route and a new library.

However BCA say the ramps could be dangerous for physically disabled people or those with visual impairment.

They add that the new library should be located in the old M&S building - providing a ‘more vibrant’ connecting hub between the high street and a newly-proposed public space called Wye Square.

BCA also voiced ‘serious’ concerns over the council’s failure to note in its updated plans that ‘the three most significant civic bodies in Buxton’ - BCA, Vision Buxton and Buxton Town Team – all registered significant objections to the scheme.

Speaking about the funding bid’s project development board BCA also noted a ‘lack of significant representation of Buxton people and civic bodies’.

In a letter to the council’s senior regeneration officer chairman Peter Phillipson wrote: “The future of the town should not be being determined by those that do not live here.

“We believe that this is not only critical for local accountability but also for credibility with Buxton people.”

BCA are urging the council to seek additional sources of funding alongside the Government grant to improve public spaces in the town centre - as funding rules mean no more than 5 per cent of the money can be used on the public realm.

Peter wrote: “We understand that there are strong economic arguments for change but we do not believe this scheme is far-sighted enough to enable it to fulfil the changing needs of our population for the future.

“We also need to build a quality civic environment that we can all be proud of - we do not believe that these proposals will do this.”

Backing BCA’s concerns High Peak MP Robert Largan has called on the council to ‘significantly improve’ its bid for Buxton for the Future High Streets Fund.

He said: “Buxton town centre needs a truly transformational regeneration scheme and I’m really pleased that the Government shortlisted the town for the Future High Streets Fund - but the Council’s bid as it currently stands risks being a huge missed opportunity for Buxton.”

“When Buxton was shortlisted I urged the Council not to waste this opportunity on their own pet projects and to listen to the ideas of local people.

“Instead we’ve got a bid that lacks the support of key stakeholders like Buxton Civic Association.

“We need to be making it easier and more enjoyable for people to come and visit Buxton while retaining the town’s unique character that we all love.

“So I’m urging the council to listen and urgently improve the bid so that they don’t end up submitting something that lacks local support.”

Councillor Anthony Mckeown, Leader of High Peak Borough Council, said: “While we are, of course, disappointed that Buxton Civic Association is not publicly backing the bid at this stage they have welcomed some of the changes made and want to work with the council on developing the proposals.

“We’re really pleased that the Town Team and Vision Buxton together with so many other key organisations in the town – and the public themselves – understand the importance of the bid in re-booting the economy of Buxton and encouraging visitors to come and spend in the town but, as importantly, the need to provide a town centre that offers local residents the jobs, housing and amenities they have told us they want and need.

“We will continue to involve all those interested in the future of Buxton town centre in these plans so that we can work together in the best interests of those that live, work and have businesses here.

“Securing funding to help deliver improvements is the best way to help deliver that - an aspiration that now has increased significance as our businesses and towns seek to recover from the impact of Covid-19.”

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