The Lincolnshire Guide > News > Sleaford Masterplan sets out vision to enhance town's status

Sleaford Masterplan sets out vision to enhance town's status

A regeneration group has been formed to steer the way Sleaford develops over the next 25 years.

Together the 40-plus partners from public and private sector, community groups and local organisations are identifying all of the issues associated with Sleaford's rapid growth. They are examining the potential for further expansion and pinpointing areas of shortage in terms of jobs, retail and economic activity, affordable homes, leisure provision and other needs.

The Sleaford Regeneration Group is led by Canon John Patrick, vicar of St Deny's in Sleaford, who hopes it will continue as a forum for ongoing community co-ordination, action and inward investment.

Its shared vision will form a significant part of the extensive consultation underway to develop the Sleaford Masterplan by the end of the year.

The Masterplan is one of a series of measures to boost Sleaford. It will set out a long-term vision for the coordination of development opportunities as they emerge enhancing Sleaford's status and defining a new future..

It will involve a full appraisal of Sleaford, drawing in evidence, research and feedback on the key issues facing the town and its ability to sustainably accommodate growth.

This growth could be in terms of housing, jobs, leisure provision or shopping and the Masterplan will identify necessary improvements to infrastructure, utilities, roads, transport, schools and health care to sustain those aspirations.

The Masterplan will mainly focus on Sleaford, but will also take into account the surrounding villages.

Canon Patrick said, "While Sleaford's population has doubled in the last 30 years retail, leisure, employment, transport and services need to catch up. The Masterplan is essential to this, to ensure all new developments are well integrated.

"People are attracted to the area by Sleaford's good quality of life, low crime rate, low house prices and good education, but that growth puts pressure on infrastructure, which is why we need a clear plan of what is required", he said.

"Everyone will have a view and we want to hear them all. While we can't accommodate every individual aspiration, the important thing is that they're all brought forward to be considered."

The Masterplan could identify:

• Locations for well-placed neighbourhood extensions rather than only building new housing estates.
• New roads and utilities infrastructure;
• Enhanced public space and buildings;
• Scope for retail, community facilities and employment in neighbourhoods instead of just being focused on the town centre.
• Quality, well-built, well- located and more affordable housing;
• A better understanding of accessible education and training opportunities;
• Improved public transport and reduced traffic congestion;
• Businesses which are better placed to meet their needs and skills requirements.

A major consultation event will be held at The Source in Sleaford on November 26 and 27.  People will be asked what their personal, community and business aspirations are and how they want to see Sleaford develop to accommodate them.  Groups and organisations are being briefed to get them thinking ahead of November on what Sleaford's future might be like.

North Kesteven District Council Leader, Councillor Mrs Marion Brighton, said "We are asking people where they want Sleaford to be in 20 to 25 years time, what they see as its role and function and how it should develop to realise those aspirations.

"This isn't about a District Council vision for Sleaford; it has to be Sleaford's vision for their town."

"Every group within the town comes with different expectations of how the town should be and we hope to hear as many of them as possible.

Article Published: 20/09/2010

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