New pedestrian street and public square planned for Buxton

The plans come as part of the town’s bid for a share in £1 billion from the government’s Future High Streets fund.Buxton is one of 100 towns to be shortlisted for a portion of the money to bring people back into town centres by improving access, converting empty properties into new homes and workplaces and investing in infrastructure.After successfully applying for funding to develop their plans working with property owners, potential commercial tenants and community groups High Peak Borough Council have revealed which areas of Buxton they hope to transform.Plans include:

Creating a new pedestrian street from the train station to The Springs shopping centre and Spring Gardens - providing easy access from the health hub and retirement apartments being developed nearby A new transport hub in front of the train station – with a better bus stop provision, taxi rank, cycle parking and space for cycle hire and new planting scheme Building a new public square by reusing surface-level car parking - including a feature of the River Wye and introducing new leisure attractions such as a cinema, gym and family restaurants Developing a new multi-level car park behind The Springs Introducing a limited number of apartment buildings along Station Approach as well as new office space Improving Spring Gardens by helping owners bring buildings back into use including rear yards and upper floors, removing street clutter and refreshing the public space New public toilets and a Changing Places toilet

Councillor Damien Greenhalgh, High Peak borough council’s deputy leader, said: “I think we can all agree that town centres need to adapt to the changes in our lifestyles, how we shop and how we spend our leisure time.

“If we’re to have a town centre fit for the future it’s important that the views of local people and businesses play a key part in shaping that future.”

The council’s detailed proposals were unveiled at The Springs on Saturday.

Coun Greenhalgh added: “We’re excited to share these ambitious ideas which will transform Buxton town centre.

“It was great to see so many people at the exhibition on Saturday and I’d like to thank everyone who took the time to come along.

“It’s really heartening that there is so much interest in improving Buxton.”

Now the council has put forward its proposals it will go through to the second, much more competitive phase of its claim where towns apply for funding to implement their proposals.

This stage has to focus on how space can be converted for new uses to transform the town centre.

The proposals will also require substantial investment from the private sector and the councils themselves.

Buxton’s bid will be submitted at the end of April and a decision is expected in the autumn.

The plans will be on display at The Springs during another public exhibition on Monday between 1pm and 4pm.

To view them online click HERE.