Students help shape future of Castle Green

Pupils from Bishop Fox's Community, The Castle and Heathfield Community Schools recently attended a Project Taunton meeting where they were able to present their ideas for the future of the Castle Green area of Taunton. Aged between 12 and 15 years, the students are all Project Taunton Young Champions, a programme which aims to get young people from the community involved with the town's regeneration.

As part of the improvements to the County Museum, the surrounding Castle Green area will be transformed from a car park to a new town square where people of all age groups can relax, eat out and meet friends.

The Young Champions were asked how they would like to see young people and children use the space. Their responses included: a green safe area for families to play, picnic and get away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre, incorporating good seating, planted areas with flowers and trees, a water feature and interpretation boards describing Castle Green's history. Other ideas included fixed barbeques for public use, a skate park, large games such as Jenga and chess, food stalls, an outdoor cinema screen and a stage area for events and musical performances.

The ideas have been forwarded to the team from LDA Design, Exeter, who are developing plans for the area.

Castle Green as it looks now (bottom) and how it might look (above) - Image by LDA Design.