Taunton is Changing: Have Your Say

Following the launch onto the market of the commercial centre at Firepool in mid-October, LDA Design is this week showcasing the latest concepts for the redevelopment of the Cultural Quarter - an area extending from the Cricket Ground through Coal Orchard, along the River Tone to the Museum, the bus station and French Weir incorporating Goodlands Gardens, the wider Castle Green area, Tangier and key sites along the northern bank of the river.

Plans at this stage include the extension of the Cricket Ground, increased independent, specialist retail, waterfront bistros and café-bars, expansion of the Brewhouse Theatre & Arts Centre and improvements to public open space including Castle Green and the banks of the River Tone.

In addition, details of the Taunton Area Action Plan will also be on display and representatives from Taunton Deane Borough Council will be on-hand to explain what the Plan means for the town and to record public opinion and feedback.

Talking about the new Cultural Quarter, Ian Franklin of Project Taunton explained: "We are very excited about the plans and want to hear what the people of Taunton think. We want the town to come alive with a vibrant café culture and arts scene. We are lucky to have a very creative and enterprising population in Taunton and we want to encourage and nurture talent by providing a supportive and stimulating environment. Not only are we looking to provide new high quality facilities, we also want arts and culture to be an integral part of life with involvement across communities - we want schools, colleges, businesses and individuals to all play a part and get involved. We can only get it right if people tell us what they think and so we hope to see lots of people at the Project Taunton Exhibition this Friday and Saturday."

The team at Project Taunton are leading and managing the regeneration of Taunton which is promoted and supported by Taunton Deane Borough Council, the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Somerset County Council and the Environment Agency.

More information about the plans for the Cultural Quarter are available by contacting the Project Taunton team on 01823 250 809 or emailing info@projecttaunton.co.uk.