New Forest District Council plans for Totton to become a 'modern market town' as part of regeneration scheme
A MODERN market town with a bold approach to architecture and green credentials is the vision for Totton outlined by New Forest District Council.
As reported in the A&T, a three-month public consultation was launched last summer as the council sought locals’ views ahead of publishing a plan to regenerate the town centre.
Shaping a vision for the town will play an important role in NFDC’s Local Plan, which sets out development policy outside the national park until 2036.
The findings of the consultation were discussed at a meeting of the ruling cabinet, which heard feedback had been received from more than 250 people, groups and organisations.
A report to the cabinet said: “It is proposed that Totton strives to become a modern market town – one that does not try to replicate the picture postcard qualities of some other New Forest towns but is bold and modern with its architecture, its attitudes towards sustainability and access, has strong green credentials through links to landscape and urban biodiversity, and appeals to a local audience in terms of skills, employment, and urban living.”
The consultation suggested Totton suffered from a series of disconnected streets with “severance issues” caused by wide, fast roads and the railway.
Participants said they were “frustrated” with the town centre precinct which was “shabby” and “run down” and in need of improvement.
They also wanted a greater range of independent shops found in towns such as Romsey and Hythe, and pointed to a need for clothes and shoe shops.
Positives included Testvale Park and the civic centre area, which were described as key places in the town due to the green spaces.
The report added: “There is a need to upgrade [this area] to perhaps include better access to outdoor space and an area to play for children.
“Several people noted that the current configuration of the civic buildings – the library, community centre, the Three Score Club, which is privately owned, and the health centre – could benefit from being rationalised and made more legible, while maintaining the sense of openness and green space offered by the current campus-style arrangement.”
Suggestions for how the town centre could be improved included events and activities and improvements to the retail offering so the area could better act as a destination for the local area.
The council’s cabinet member for planning, regeneration and infrastructure, Cllr Diane Andrews, said: “The level of response to this community engagement work demonstrates the passion and strength of feeling the community has for Totton.
“Successful regeneration always has to take a long-term view, but with a community-led and partnership approach I am confident the work to improve the key themes emerging from the engagement exercise – cars, traffic and travel infrastructure, outdoor and green spaces, the precinct and retail experience, and the sense of community – will be of benefit to this key town.”
The cabinet agreed to undertake further consultation to obtain views from key stakeholders such as the town council, county council and Neighbourhood Plan team on how to progress the regeneration scheme.