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CHAPTER 16: BILSTON TOWN CENTRE
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16.1
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Introduction
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| 16.1.1 |
Bilston Town Centre is the second commercial centre in the
City of Wolverhampton and plays an important role in the local shopping
hierarchy. However it is much more than just a shopping centre, and in this
lies both its recent problems and its future prospects. Bilston is a historic
Black Country town with a strong and proud tradition of industry and local
identity. It has suffered considerably from the decline of traditional industry
in the region as a whole and particularly in and around the town centre.
Nonetheless it retains an important role both for local people and, especially
through its indoor and outdoor markets, for a wider catchment. |
| 16.1.2 |
The principal findings of an environmental audit of the Town
Centre carried out by the Council's consultants Taylor Young in Autumn 2000,
highlighted that: |
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1. |
The town centre has a strong east-west axis but north-south
links are more fragmented |
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2. |
The Black Country route forms a strong edge to the south
which constrains movements to / from the proposed urban village |
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3. |
Metro and bus access is good with recent major investment
|
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4. |
Road access to Bilston is generally good and there is a significant
amount of car parking around the centre |
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5. |
Pedestrian links within the centre are good, except for the
north-south link to the markets and to Morrisons foodstore |
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6. |
The environment of Market Way and the markets area is poor
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7. |
Quality of frontages varies considerably through the centre
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8. |
The environment of parts of the centre suffers from lack
of investment |
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9. |
Recent investment in the public realm in Church Street is
generally good |
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10. |
Most of the quality buildings are in the historic core and
Mount Pleasant parts of the centre (within the designated Bilston Town Centre
Conservation Area). |
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A further Audit of Town Centre retail
activity was carried out by consultants Daniel & Hulme in 2003 for the
Bilston Regeneration Forum. This study confirms that Bilston has an important
role to play within the hierarchy of centres within the City and identifies
strong commercial interest for additional investment over the UDP period.
(2) |
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| Bilston Urban Village |
| 16.1.3 |
Proposals to develop an Urban Village on a substantial area
of brownfield land to the south of Bilston Town Centre are being pursued
by the Council and Advantage West Midlands. This major initiative to secure
reclamation and mixed use development has the potential to generate some
1300 new homes and 49,000 sq. m of employment space providing almost 1500
jobs together with the creation of new landscape and local linkages. The
urban village will be close enough to the Town Centre for there to be close
integration between the two, and with improved linkages to surrounding communities,
for the additional catchments of residents and business employees to bring
major commercial benefits the Town Centre. |
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| Key Objectives for the Town Centre |
| 16.1.4 |
Seven principal issues have been identified as needing to
be addressed during the plan period: |
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Objective 1 - Strengthening the town's retail activities
Bilston should not rely on the prospect of further major retail floorspace
expansion, but can take positive steps to improve its existing assets and
identity as the City's second retail centre. The town has opportunities
to enhance its attractiveness and needs to act to avoid falling into a cycle
of disinvestment. The Town Centre's assets including the markets, the pedestrianised
main street and Morrison's must be fully exploited and should be seen to
complement each other. |
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Objective 2 - Re-establishing the Heart of Bilston
The historic core of the town east of the Metro line is seen as an
important but underused asset. Action is needed to re-establish a role and
identity through new uses and activities linked with environmental improvements.
The Town Hall is at the centre of this area and will have a significant
impact on its regeneration. |
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Objective 3 - Promoting a safer place for all
Whilst Bilston Town Centre does not face insurmountable crime and safety
issues, nonetheless it is recognised locally that action should be taken
to improve local circumstances and generate a positive perception of the
security situation for business and visitors alike. |
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Objective 4 - Improving the linkages
Movement within the core of the Town Centre is generally convenient,
with good links through car parks to Church Street / High Street. The Bus
Station and Metro are in close proximity. However there is cause for concern
that improved pedestrian links are required between High Street the Markets,
Morrisons foodstore and the proposed urban village. Improved access to the
Metro is also necessary. |
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Objective 5 - Widening the range of uses in the Town Centre
The Town Centre needs a wider range of activities to broaden its attractiveness
and strengthen its economic and social base. The transformation will not
occur however without guidance and positive support in order to realise
the latent opportunities that exist. A wider range of uses can also bring
activity outside the standard working day and help to attract more visitors
to the centre. |
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Objective 6 - Changing perception of environment and image
Whilst parts of Bilston have been significantly improved, most notably
following the pedestrianisation of Church Street / High Street there remain
some areas where run down buildings and sites detract from the attractiveness
of the Town Centre, and others where the prospect of decline could detract
in the foreseeable future. Furthermore the external perception of the town
is not as positive as it could be and action is needed to attract visitors
who may otherwise pass by. |
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Objective 7 - Expanding employment opportunities
There is a need to look beyond existing employment patterns in the
Town Centre, and to explore the means of generating a wider range of local
employment opportunities. |
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| A Strategy for the Town Centre |
| 16.1.5 |
The strategy for Bilston Town Centre sets the framework for
wide ranging involvement in the ongoing process of regeneration, seeking
to involve local business and residential communities in strengthening the
centre's role and function. |
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1. |
It is important to recognise the role that Bilston Town Centre
can play in relation to surrounding centres. Its location close to the sub-regional
centre of Wolverhampton and within easy reach of the regional centre in
Birmingham indicates that it cannot compete with these centres in terms
of attracting major investment. However, what is clear from recent analysis
is the loyalty of the surrounding population to the town centre. This needs
to be built upon to project Bilston as the district centre for south east
Wolverhampton and to some extent a centre to serve nearby residential areas
in Walsall and Sandwell. Such a strategy would focus upon Bilston acting
as a natural centre for a wider catchment than is currently the case for
a wide range of activities including shopping, leisure, public administration
and local services. |
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2. |
To achieve this will require the strengthening of the retail
core, a diversified range of activities and an uplift in environmental quality.
The town centre can then build upon its links to the Metro line, which provide
improved accessibility from nearby plus the potential of the urban village
and other residential opportunities. |
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3. |
The strategy therefore seeks to re-focus the centre, identifying
key issues for each part, promoting a mix of change and consolidation, introducing
new uses and concentrating attention on a series of linked Character Areas
which together will build up into a lively and more vibrant whole. |
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4. |
Four character areas have been identified as follows: |
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Mount Pleasant
The area east of Bow Street taking in Mount Pleasant and Lewis Street |
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Historic Core
Between the Metro line and Bow Street, including Lichfield Street, the Orchard
and part of Church Street, and including Bilston Town Hall |
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Retail Core (Primary Shopping
Area)
The principal pedestrianised retail area
of the town between the Orchard development opportunity
and Dudley Street. Metro and Dudley Street,
and extending south to include the markets and Morrisons (10) |
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Western Gateway
Both sides of High Street, between the pedestrianised area of the retail
core and the Wolverhampton Street roundabout |
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5. |
Each of these areas has its own identifiable features, form
and activities, which will, to varying degrees, provide a basis for future
initiatives and changes. Fundamental to the strategy is a recognition that
these areas should be complementary to each other. There are, and will continue
to be, overlaps in function, but there needs to be a stronger sense of identity
and purpose for each together with enhanced linkages between them. |
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| 16.1.6 |
The Plan's general policy for 'town centres' (SH65)
defines the role of Bilston in support of the above strategy. This forms
the context for the policies and proposals set out below. Supplementary
Planning Guidance containing detailed proposals is provided in the Bilston
Town Centre Regeneration Strategy (November 2001). (11) |
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16.2
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Bilston Town Centre Wide Initiatives
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| Policy BTC1: Bilston Town Centre
Wide Initiatives |
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| A detailed strategy will be developed
in particular to: |
| i. |
Improve linkages between character areas and
between ‘gateways’ and destinations; |
| ii. |
Review parking provision to gain an informed
picture on existing and future parking quality, quantity and
demand on which to assess strategic future use; |
| iii. |
Further involve local people and other stakeholders
in the management and improvement of the town; |
| iv. |
Identification of residential development
and ‘Living Over the Shop’ initiatives |
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| 16.2.1 |
The character area policies set out below
need to be complemented by town centre wide initiatives to pull the whole
regeneration strategy together. The linkages between different character
areas and between key entry points and destinations are in many cases poor.
Some marker features, such as the ‘gateway’ to the markets from
the bus station have been well designed but overall signage is utilitarian
and unattractive in character. The car parks immediately adjacent to the
shopping core appear to be generally well used. However, more peripheral
car parks are less well used and may offer other opportunities. The situation
also need to be viewed in the light of recent government policy on the balance
between public and private transport. |
| 16.2.2 |
Recent work in Bilston has demonstrated that
buried archaeological deposits of significance for the reconstruction of
the history of the town are present. In addition detailed analysis of some
of the existing standing buildings has demonstrated that elements of earlier
buildings can survive within buildings whose facades date from a later period.
Such information is of intrinsic interest but also does much to foster a
sense of shared history and community. Accordingly where there are indications
that archaeological features may survive, especially within the historic
core, an archaeological assessment will be required for any proposed development
(see Policies HE24 to HE28). |
| 16.82.3 |
Bilston will form part of a city-wide study
of local character and distinctiveness (Policy HE1). All development proposals
will be expected to take full account of local distinctive character types
and areas. |
| 16.82.4 |
It is proposed that a signage strategy be
drawn up for the town centre to address the issued highlighted above. As
well as providing clear guidance signage should say something about the
identity of the town and its distinct character areas. Signage can include
public art, town information/advertisements, lighting and sponsorship as
well as the more traditional pointer signs. |
| 16.2.5 |
A parking strategy, based on survey work
and forecasts, would assist in informing the future of underused and strategically
important sites. It will be important to achieve a balance between parking
requirements of town centre users and the strategic development potential
of the town. This is emphasised by the fact that the BCR and proposed development
to the south of the town means that what were rear servicing and parking
areas are now prominent main road frontages. Further topic specific surveys
are required in the areas of: open spaces; shopfronts; local bus routes
and community facilities
(3) |
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16.32
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Mount Pleasant Area
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| Policy BTC21:
Mount Pleasant Area |
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| Within the Mount Pleasant
area [Map
16/8] proposals should seek to: |
- Clarify and enhance the role of the area
- Enhance the historic character of the area
- Secure the re-use of vacant buildings and sites
- Ensure that new development is sensitively designed.
|
| Principal proposals are: |
| i. |
Identification
of residential development and 'Living over the shop' opportunities
(4) [Map
16/5] |
| ii. |
Improvement of parking facilities for
library / art gallery |
| iii. |
Mixed use refurbishment / redevelopment
of technical school / WDET site |
| iv. |
Conservation Area enhancement scheme
v. Improvements to public realm and areas of open space |
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| 16.32.1 |
The Mount Pleasant area provides an important approach into
Bilston Town Centre. It plays only a secondary role in retail terms and
retail expansion should not be encouraged as this would detract from the
core areas. It provides the most attractive residential environment in the
study area, together with the recently refurbished library / art gallery
and the important development opportunity of the former college building
and transport depot. |
| 16.32.2
|
The area will focus on its potential for a mix of development,
primarily residential, but with small-scale Class B1 business opportunities
and enhancement of its existing community facilities. There are various
possible small-scale residential development sites and also opportunities
on the north side of Mount Pleasant between Lichfield Street and Mountford
Lane where conversion of upper floors to residential should be explored. |
| 16.32.3 |
As the whole of the Mount Pleasant area falls within a Conservation
Area, all proposals must be consistent with Conservation Areas policies.
The development brief for land and buildings on the north side of Mount
Pleasant can be seen in the context of the role for the wider area and its
proposed mix of residential, community and business uses. |
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16.3
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Historic Core
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| Policy BTC32:
Historic Core |
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| Within the Historic Core
[Map 16/9],
proposals should seek to: |
- Broaden the area's role with increased economic activity;
- Enhance the historic character of the area;
- Secure new uses for the Town Hall (see Policy BTC76);
- Improve the quality of linkage to the High Street area;
- Secure re-use and redevelopment of underused buildings
and sites.
|
| Principal proposals are: |
| i. |
Improvements to the public realm and
areas of open space; |
| ii. |
New pedestrian priority measures in
Church Street / Walsall Street; |
| iii. |
Comprehensive refurbishment / redevelopment
proposals (residential / leisure / business / specialist retail)
for The Orchard area; [Map
16/7] |
| iv. |
Gateway signage at Lichfield Street
and Oxford Street; |
| v. |
Conservation Area enhancement scheme; |
| vi. |
Refurbishment and re-use of the Town
Hall (BTC76);
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| vii. |
Traffic related environmental works
in Lichfield Street; |
| viii. |
New development opportunities (residential
and employment). (12) |
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| 16.43.1
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The Historic Core of Bilston requires significant intervention
to reverse its recent decline. Environmental quality has suffered from the
effects of heavy traffic in Lichfield Street, which has contributed to the
wider problems of a lack of investment in businesses and premises. Levels
of economic activity have also been restricted and vacancy levels are higher
than in the retail core of the town centre. Nonetheless it has some of the
most attractive buildings in the town, together with a good mix of viable
businesses, interesting spaces, linkages and development opportunities.
Accessibility is good, with the Midland Metro line, car parks close at hand
and the pedestrianised part of Church Street nearby. However, whilst the
juxtaposition with the retail core is a positive asset this area should
not seek to compete directly with the principal shopping function of the
retail core itself. |
| 16.43.2
|
The new role should embrace both commercial and community
objectives, actively promoting an identity for the Character Area as a whole.
It is essential that regeneration is promoted throughout the area and not
just focussed on the Town Hall or any other individual opportunity. In this
way a stronger context will be provided for specific schemes and the perception
of the Heart of Bilston will begin to change. A wider range of uses must
be sought, including leisure, residential, community facilities and employment
uses, to complement those already in place. Retail activity will continue,
but the area should not be dependent on a significant increase for its future
prosperity. |
| 16.43.3
|
The historic character of this area is one of its principal
assets, but it requires a comprehensive programme of public realm enhancement
together with measures to promote reinvestment in buildings and sites. This
is particularly the case for the areas around the Town Hall, The Orchard,
the former Pipe Hall hotel and Lichfield Street where action is also needed
to reduce the impact of the traffic on the town centre environment. |
| 16.43.4 |
Where appropriate, the Council will also use its statutory
powers, including the securing of Article 4 Directions and discontinuation
and enforcement action, to achieve its wider aims for the enhancement of
the area. |
| 16.43.5 |
The Town Hall has special significance and its re-use could
provide the single most important impetus to regeneration. However this
is not an easy prospect and will require considerable long term commitment
from public, private and voluntary sectors to secure a sustainable scheme.
It should be noted that prospects for the re-sue of the Town Hall would
be enhanced through successful measures to regenerate the surrounding area. |
| 16.43.6 |
Development opportunities should not be seen in a piecemeal
manner. Land assembly should be explored for parts of the area in order
to bring forward key opportunities. The Orchard area in particular presents
possibilities for a mix of refurbishment and new development with improvements
to pedestrian links and environment. Relocation of businesses may be required,
calling for sensitive management of the regeneration process. |
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16.54
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Retail Core
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| Policy BTC43:
Retail Core (the Primary Shopping Area)
|
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| Within the retail core area
[Map 16/6],
future proposals should seek to: |
- Strengthen the retail function of the Town Centre;
- Enhance the linkage between Church Street, the markets
and Morrisons;
- Improve the markets.
|
| Principal proposals are: |
| i. |
Redesign of Market Way; |
| ii. |
Improvements to shops fronting Market
Way and remodelling and improvement of Indoor and Outdoor Markets;
|
| iii. |
Improved pedestrian crossing of Black
Country Route (BCR); |
| iv. |
Development of vacant land on High
Street; [Map
16/3] |
| v. |
Improvements to the public realm and
areas of open space. (5) |
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| 16.54.1 |
In recent years retail activity in Bilston has become more
strongly focussed on the pedestrianised section of Church Street and the
indoor and outdoor markets. This is the area which has benefited most from
the environmental and access improvements carried out by Wolverhampton Council,
whilst the western part of High Street and the eastern end of Church Street
have taken on a more peripheral role. The arrival of Morrisons introduced
a significant new factor, which initially posed threats to established patterns
of shopping but has become a major focal point as the town's largest single
retail outlet. |
| 16.54.2 |
The importance of the indoor and outdoor markets cannot be
overemphasised. Both play a vital role in defining Bilston as a retail centre,
and in drawing visitors from beyond the immediate catchment. However, there
is concern that their full potential is not being realised and that action
will be needed to strengthen their role for the future. |
| 16.54.3
|
Strengthening the retail function does not necessarily mean
more new retail floorspace, although the strategy does enable this to happen
if demand is strong enough. The primary objective is to secure a more robust
retail core which can build on the existing features of Bilston Town Centre
through improving the quality of both the retail facilities and the environment
in which they operate. |
| 16.54.4
|
At present the east / west axis of Church Street / High Street
dominates the retail core, with the link to the markets along Market Way
being narrow, dark and claustrophobic. Beyond this the link to Morrisons
is poorly defined through the markets, and becomes wholly secondary as it
crosses the BCR, despite the pedestrian crossing. |
| 16.54.5 |
The strategy proposes a major reorientation within the retail
core to improve this north / south axis. This will entail the improvement
of Market Way to create an attractive link between Church Street, the markets
and Morrisons. This needs to be more than merely cosmetic improvement to
make a real impact on the experience and flow of users in the markets area
and into the town centre from Morrisons. |
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| 16.54.6
|
This redesigned axis will also provide a link into the town
centre from the proposed urban village - in turn this requires the design
of layout and land-use in the northern part of the urban village to be orientated
towards the principal crossings points on the BCR. |
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16.65
|
Western Gateway
|
| Policy BTC54:
Western Gateway |
| |
| Within the Western Gateway
area [Map
16/10], proposals should seek to: |
- Broaden economic activity;
- Introduce residential / mixed use development;
- Strengthen the gateway role;
- Improve environmental quality.
|
| Principal proposals are: |
| i. |
Development
brief for land adjacent to the roundabouts; Landmark
commercial/community use building including high quality landscaping
on land adjacent to the roundabout; (6)
|
| ii. |
Refurbishment opportunities on High
Street; |
| iii. |
Identification of opportunities for
re-use of upper floors; [Map
16/5] |
| iv. |
Gateway improvements; |
| v. |
Review of structural condition / refurbishment
opportunities for each block; |
| vi. |
Assembly of land for longer term mixed
use development; |
| vii. |
Signage, as part of a town centre wide
strategy. |
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| 16.65.1 |
The section of the town centre west of the pedestrianised
area faces difficult trends at present. With limited demand for significant
retail investment in this area there is a higher level of vacancies than
in the retail core, a need to explore alternative uses, but a concern that
some existing properties may not merit reinvestment. Nonetheless it provides
an important approach to the town centre, both from the existing highway
network and potentially from the urban village. The newer development occupied
by the Lidl supermarket and the City Council's Housing Office contrasts
markedly with the variety of smaller shops, and the environment is less
attractive than in the pedestrianised area. |
| 16.65.2
|
The area needs a new focus of activity that will broaden the
range of uses beyond reliance principally on retail. This should complement
retained retails also expand into leisure, residential or other uses where
appropriate. In the longer term there may be improved market potential arising
from the development of the urban village linked via the footbridge over
the BCR. Block by block appraisals are therefore needed for each action
in this area but it is likely that significant change may only be achieved
in the longer term. |
| 16.65.3
|
The area includes the Grade II* listed Greyhound and Punchbowl
public house. This is a key landmark building on the English Heritage Register
of Buildings at Risk 2002. Repairs to the building and enhancement of its
setting should be a priority. |
| 16.65.4
|
A frontage development site may be identified between the
two roundabouts, to be explored in detail via a development brief which
would take particular account of existing landscape features in the area.
This would provide the opportunity for a scheme to create a stronger gateway
to High Street. |
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| 16.65.5
|
The block of properties between Lidl and Broad Street should
be reviewed. The possibility of selective refurbishment should first be
considered, identifying those units which have potential for new or retained
uses on ground and upper floors and considering how these might be improved
in the shorter term. Partial redevelopment may be more suitably in conjunction
with the car park to the south, thereby generating the flexibility of a
larger site for a mix of residential, business and retail uses with redesigned
parking, and providing a further opportunity to integrate with the proposed
urban village. As with other similar opportunities in the town centre the
future of Bilston's car parks should be informed by a town centre wide parking
study. |
| 16.65.6 |
The gateway role will be enhanced by improvements to frontages
of existing properties, particularly Nos. 61-65 High Street, but this will
only be achievable through confidence in reinvestment in the properties
themselves. In the shorter term signage improvements will be needed to mark
the entrance as part of a town centre wide signage strategy. |
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16.76
|
Frontage Use Policy
|
| Policy BTC65:
Frontage Use Policy |
| |
| Within the Primary
Shopping Area planning permission will not be granted where
non A1 uses constitute more than 30% of the number of units
in a retail frontage or exceed 30% of frontage length. retail
core area permission for uses other than A1 will need greater
justification where such uses would constitute generally more
than 30% of the number of units in each retail frontage or frontage
length. |
| For
the purposes of this Policy a frontage is defined as one side
of a street or parade which is not separated by a significant
gap such as a road junction. (7) |
| Elsewhere no set percentage
will be applied although it will be important to retain a majority
element of retailing. Ground floor uses must be able to attract
significant numbers of customers, generate street level activity
and incorporate attractive and lively window displays. Proposals
for amusement arcades will be also determined against Policy
SH16. (8) |
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| 16.76.1 |
Retaining and improving a variety of Class A1 (Shops) uses
is important to the future vitality and viability of the Town Centre. Controls
over changes to frontage uses are therefore required to ensure that the
number, type and range of retail (A1) shops is maintained and strengthened.
It is also recognised that other uses such as Class A2 (Finance and Professional
Services) and ClassA3 (Food and Drink) uses have a key role but their location
must be controlled to maintain a healthy mix of uses. |
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16.87
|
Bilston Town Hall
|
| Policy BTC76:
Bilston Town Hall |
| |
| The Council is committed
to securing the future of Bilston Town Hall. It will continue
to work with private sector partners and community groups to
bring the building back into beneficial use. |
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| 16.87.1
|
Bilston Town Hall is a landmark feature in the town centre,
and played a central role in the local community until its closure in 1998.
Dating from 1872, it is an important Grade II listed building which is regarded
with strong local affection and is a focus for community interest in restoration
and re-use. Its location at the heart of the historic core of the Town Centre
adds to its importance for the area as a whole. |
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| 16.87.2
|
The City of Wolverhampton Regenerating Buildings Preservation
Trust is in the process of being formed. It is expected that the Trust will
manage the refurbishment and ultimate disposal of the building. |
| 16.87.3
|
Having stood empty since the Council relocated its Housing
Office the Town Hall has deteriorated physically, although recent remedial
works have now been undertaken. However, the building continues to face
problems of a wider nature. These relate firstly to the building itself,
and secondly to its relationship with its surrounding area. |
| 16.87.4
|
Despite the range of problems the Town Hall rightly retains
a central place in the priorities of the local community. The practical
opportunities, like the problems, relate to both the building and its surrounding
area, and at both levels can tie closely into the wider regeneration aspirations
of the local community. Key opportunities have been identified in terms
of: |
| |
- Listed Building status
- Refurbishment of an important symbol for the town
- Creation of unique floorspace for the Town Centre
- Public / Voluntary / Private sector partnership opportunity
- Role for community uses and private investment
- Creation of new functions for the adjoining public spaces and church
yard
- Upgrading of Church Street / Walsall Street for pedestrian priority
- Relationship to the wider Historic Core including The Orchard area
- Upgrading of access to the Metro
|
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16.8
|
Bilston Town Centre Wide Initiatives
|
| Policy BTC7: Bilston Town
Centre Wide Initiatives |
| |
| A detailed strategy will
be developed to: |
| i. |
Improve linkages between character areas
and between 'gateways' and destinations; |
| ii. |
Review parking provision to gain an
informed picture on existing and future parking quality, quantity
and demand on which to assess strategic future use; |
| iii. |
further involve local people and other
stakeholders in the management of the town |
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| 16.8.1 |
The character area policies referred
to above need to be complemented by town centre wide initiatives to pull
the whole regeneration strategy together. The linkages between different
character areas and between key entry points and destinations are in many
cases poor. Some marker features, such as the 'gateway' to the markets from
the bus station have been well designed but overall signage is utilitarian
and unattractive in character. The car parks immediately adjacent to the
shopping core appear to be generally well used. However, more peripheral
car parks are less well used and may offer other opportunities. The situation
also need to be viewed in the light of recent government policy on the balance
between public and private transport. |
| 16.8.2 |
Recent work in Bilston has demonstrated
that buried archaeological deposits of significance for the reconstruction
of the history of the town are present. In addition detailed analysis of
some of the existing standing buildings has demonstrated that elements of
earlier buildings can survive within buildings whose facades date from a
later period. Such information is of intrinsic interest but also does much
to foster a sense of shared history and community. Accordingly where there
are indications that archaeological features may survive, especially within
the historic core, an archaeological assessment will be required for any
proposed development (see Policies HE24 to HE28). |
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| 16.8.3 |
Bilston will form part of a city-wide
study of local character and distinctiveness (Policy HE1). All development
proposals will be expected to take full account of local distinctive character
types and areas. |
| 16.8.4 |
It is proposed that a signage strategy
be drawn up for the town centre to address the issued highlighted above.
As well as providing clear guidance signage should say something about the
identity of the town and its distinct character areas. Signage can include
public art, town information/advertisements, lighting and sponsorship as
well as the more traditional pointer signs. |
| 16.8.5 |
A parking strategy, based on survey
work and forecasts, would assist in informing the future of underused and
strategically important sites. It will be important to achieve a balance
between parking requirements of town centre users and the strategic development
potential of the town. This is emphasised by the fact that the BCR and proposed
development to the south of the town means that what were rear servicing
and parking areas are now prominent main road frontages. Further topic specific
surveys are required in the areas of: open spaces; shopfronts; local bus
routes and community facilities. |
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| REASONS FOR PROPOSED CHANGES |
| 1. |
For clarification |
| 2. |
In response to objection 109/360 |
| 3. |
For clarification |
| 4. |
In response to objection 109/354 |
| 5. |
For clarification |
| 6. |
In response to objection 109/355 |
| 7. |
For clarification |
| 8. |
In response to objection 148/651 |
| 9. |
For clarification |
| 10. |
For clarification |
| 11. |
For clarification |
| 12. |
For clarification |
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