Bodmin Masterplan & VIsion

Bodmin Vision - Public Consultation Event 24th June 2009 – Shire House Suite, Bodmin Town Centre

On 24th June 2009, Cornwall Council and the Bodmin Masterplan project team held a public consultation event into ‘Developing a Vision for Bodmin’. The event was held between 11am and 9pm at the Shire House Suite in Bodmin town centre and was attended by approximately 100 people. A series of display boards which presented a series of key issues facing Bodmin at present and also how the town develops and grows in the future. Attendees were invited to complete a short questionnaire which sought views on the growth of the town. A summary of the comments received is outlined below.

Q1 – what must new growth deliver for Bodmin in order for it to be a successful town by 2026? / Q2 – what do you consider are the key priorities for the town? / Q3 – where do you think growth in Bodmin is best placed? / Other comments
Improvement to town centre – dealing with traffic congestion / West Bodmin – lack of industrial estates and supermarkets
Improved education, employment, retail and leisure activities / Improved retail outlets
better transport infrastructure,
education facilities to match increased population
quality employment facilities
facilities for entertainment for youngsters / On road to Wadebridge;
past Dragon Leisure Centre;
past Cummings Garage
A welcoming shopping centre for all ages with a variety of good quality shops.
Entertainment facilities for the young and families e.g. cinema, bowling alley
Can the council give retailers an incentive to come to Bodmin
What is point of more shops when they stand empty / Expand Bodmin College
Build entertainment facilities e.g, cinema to entice people into the town, especially in evenings
Pedestrianise the main street
Make flow of traffic on Dennison Road better / Town centre and family entertainment to encourage more people to visit Bodmin / How many empty developments need to close and a developer turn them into flats. Facilities need to be provided to keep people in the town and not travel to Plymouth and Truro.
Bodmin has lost out on an ideal opportunity while St Austell is being developed. Shops such as Bricknells and Woolworths are lain empty for a long period of time.
Small independent retailers cannot keep afloat if there is nothing in town to encourage people to visit Bodmin. The Council should encourage large chain stores to locate in Bodmin.
To make the town more successful more shops should be provided. We need more entertainment as Bodmin residents are going elsewhere to be entertained / shop. It doesn’t really matter how many residents Bodmin has without suitable attractions, they’ll just go elsewhere. / A cinema is needed, as currently people travel to Wadebridge. If more residential accommodate is being built, Bodmin College should be expanded rather than a new secondary school being built. / The town centre needs most attention, as it has many empty shops. The small family run shops are not getting many customers.
Bodmin needs a good mix of local needs housing and higher quality residential development. it also needs to capture better quality employment through high tech industry and specialised industry to complement existing broad based manufacturing. The vision and implementation should embrace sustainable quality objectives. Open space and green corridors should be provided / Managing movement of people, traffic and water through and around Bodmin.
Incorporating good quality green corridors and open space into the town to enable healthy lifestyles and to enhance quality of life.
Existing heritage aspects of the town are embraced and the cultural aspects of Bodmin flow into the plan.
Better quality housing mix
Good quality employment opportunities and high tech industrial base. / Growth to the west towards Dunmere and to the east towards Castle Canyke is preferred. Wherever new road goes (it if is provided) it will no doubt determine growth in the future. / Comments on adopted Town Centre Framework Plan:
Dennison Road development is good and the direction of growth towards Berrycombe Road makes sense. However, development of the car park behind Fore Street and a multi-storey is nonsensical. I would like to see and understand how this will really inform and assist Bodmin development?
We need a detailed and thorough assessment of transport needs in Bodmin and how we can sustainably manage this. Keeping the town centre alive is important but not if we end up developing and losing key elements which can give Bodmin an edge in moving forwards.
Jobs and sufficient services to cater for increased population / Traffic and parking, especially Dennison Road congestion.
No more large food shops – 3 is enough. Existing shops to be filled with businesses, instead of building new shopping complex next to Fore Street. roads need to be looked at. Multi-storey car park would lead to undesirables using it at night. / Cinema
More green parks for children to play
Clubs, stake parks, ice rink for older chilldren / In the high street – (Fore Street)
Council should encourage residents to take a pride in Bodmin and take better care of maintenance of the town. Residents should also be prepared to make suggestions to enhance the town.
Ask Chamber of Commerce to encourage traders in Fore Street to copy traders in Honey Street and brighten up shop fronts.
Better marketing of Bodmin and its facilities/location.
Bodmin is lacking a cinema.
Support for more housing for the elderly, whilst is separated from other residential uses.
No need for an expensive park and ride system in Bodmin – its has a good town bus service and links to other towns in the county.
Plans for a new shopping centre won’t be viable unless a major developer gets involved.
Be attractive to tempt people to want to visit – not renowned as a place to avoid e.g. for traffic reasons / Any road improvements – take safety aspects into consideration.
Make sure parking is not too concentrated in one area – spread parking near amenities. / Sensibly develop town centre to include Jail and Camel Trail attractions.
Local amenities
Transport to amenities
Green issues e.g. safe cycling
Improved commuter links / Getting to Plymouth by public transport (there is currently no bus service for early train)
Improved link of Camel Trail to town centre
Communities getting together
Young people’s and children’s activities / North and north east Bodmin
Need a cinema and leisure activities in the town. Play areas for children. See if anyone is interested in starting a football academy in Bodmin.
New attraction in the town that will captivate and encourage people to come here. Walks/tours/cycle rides. More adverts telling people what is in Bodmin (on A30). No one knows we are here or what is here.
Link up railway from Bodmin Parkway to Bodmin buses.
Provide road which will bypass Bodmin.
Provide small units that are cheap for start-up businesses & market stalls. Provide internet café, provide more car parks.

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