Lymington Town Council unveils out vision for town centre ahead of Neighbourhood Plan

AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to revamp Lymington town centre with more trees, bigger pavements outside cafes and restaurants, and a “town park” off the high street.

The draft “vision” document has been written to pave the way to a Neighbourhood Plan, drawn up by Lymington and Pennington Town Council, setting out how local people want their community to develop.

The Neighbourhood Plan, while not binding, would contain guidelines that developers and planners must give regard to for future applications.

It can also unlock extra cash for the town but must be agreed by New Forest District Council – and pass a local referendum.

The accompanying vision report highlights areas within the centre for improvement, including the high street, railway station and waterfront.

Proposals include pop-up shop space for start-ups and better parking management to enhance the environment, and Grove Park has been put forward as the high street’s “green room”.

With “a few low-key interventions” such as better signage, a more varied landscape and habitat enhancement, the space could be utilised, said the report.

A key issue identified in the vision was a lack of connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists between the railway station, high street and waterfront.

The town was said to be “dominated” by cars and had “little provision” for cyclists and not enough “attractive navigable routes” onto the high street.

The report proposed an “inner ring” running between Avenue Road, Gosport Street, Captain’s Row, Grove Road and Church Lane to provide a “safe, attractive and accessible” route for pedestrians and cyclists.

It said: “Within the inner ring, the streets and public realm could be improved to provide a pedestrian and cycle network, with provision for secure parking, charging, seating and hard and soft landscape to facilitate wheeled users and social interaction.”

The station and waterfront were singled out as problematic areas, with the station said to be an unattractive entrance to the town and the waterfront dominated by parking and difficult to access.

“The station’s shared access with the bus depot has a negative impact on pedestrians,” the report said. “And there are no supporting shops or services close to the station.

“To create a more welcoming gateway to Lymington town centre, consideration of the future redevelopment of the adjoining sites to create a more attractive and better connected setting is needed.”

Tree planting along Waterloo Road was also proposed, along with a pedestrian bridge to the town centre, and better seating, lighting and signage.

The report continued: “The river front and quay need a simple public space at the northern end to improve the link to the High Street and provide a focus and destination around Quay Street.”

Hard landscaping was also proposed to differentiate the space from parking areas, and the area in front of the Ship Inn was suggested as a spill out area for the pub.

Better lighting and signage would also improve the link between Quay Street and the station, it said.

In creating the vision document, the town council used funding from central government to take on consultants for technical support.

The draft will go out with the proposed Neighbourhood Plan for public feedback, with an informal consultation to include exhibitions and surveys at the end of January.

Any future projects off the back of the vision statement would not begin until after the Neighbourhood Plan is complete, stressed the town council, and would be subject to “full and thorough consultation”.