CHARD residents are being given the chance to shape the future of their town centre in a new consultation.
South Somerset District Council is currently progressing its flagship Chard regeneration scheme, including a new swimming pool and leisure centre and an annual cultural programme of events to attract visitors.
The council is working with PER Consulting to develop the Future Chard Strategy, which will shape how the town will be improved for both residents and visitors over the next 15 years.
As part of this process, residents are now being invited to give their views on what projects should be prioritised in a new consultation on the council’s website, which will be open until early-July.
The survey allows those who either live or work in Chard to rank their priorities for the issues which concern them most about the town, as well as which areas most urgently need improvement.
A council spokesman said: “PER Consulting have been commissioned to develop a 15-year strategy for Chard that focuses on both the people and place.
“In order to shape our strategy, we need to understand what issues are important to people who live or work in Chard.
“This short survey will capture your comments on what really matters to you. We are seeking to identify barriers and constraints and how they can be improved and to determine what priorities we should focus on to improve the area. ”
The survey spans a range of topics, many of which have been brought into sharp focus during the coronavirus pandemic – including:
EDUCATION: the survey includes questions about the availability of primary school places (which was flagged up at a recent debate about new homes on the A358 Tatworth Road) and secondary school provision (with Holyrood Academy being expanded with the construction of a new block on the former Cresta pool site)
HEALTH: residents are asked about how easily they access primary health care services, including GP appointments and the town’s minor injuries unit, as well as the impact of the ongoing pandemic
TRANSPORT: residents and visitors are asked about traffic levels (which was again raised in relation to the Persimmon site), the quality and frequency of public transport and accessibility for disabled citizens
EMPLOYMENT: the survey includes questions about whether the town is overly reliant on a small number of major employers (such as Numatic and the soon-to-depart Oscar Mayer) and how new companies can be lured to set up shop in Chard to create job opportunities
CRIME: there are questions about how safe the town centre feels during the daytime and night-time, with particular emphasis on how well antisocial behaviour is being addressed by the police and other organisations
CULTURE: the quality of Chard’s cultural and artistic life is addressed, including whether the town provides enough incentive for people to visit based on the current level of events
HOUSING: the surveys asks for residents’ views on planned new housing, including how it impacts on current provision of public services and traffic
To have your say on the future of Chard town centre, visit www.consultation.southsomerset.gov.uk/service-delivery/shape-the-future-of-chard/consult_view before July 2.
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