Portishead Town Council is expected to agree to work with North Somerset Council and Aberdeen Standard Investments as partners on a new study for the area around Wyndham Way in the town centre, between the High Street and the Marina.
A new website has been launched at wyndhamway.co.uk with an interactive map allowing people to comment on what they think about the area – what they like, what could be improved and how Portishead can be made even better. The feedback will be used to shape the study, which is a very early step in any discussions about this part of the town centre's future.
This work replaces previous plans submitted for Old Mill Road Business Park. The planning application for Old Mill Road Business Park will be withdrawn imminently. Having listened to feedback from the local community and other stakeholders, the partners are taking a fresh look at the wider area around Wyndham Way and asking for the public's views at an early stage.
The proposed area will look beyond the Old Mill Road Business Park and include land around Wyndham Way between the High Street, the Marina and the new proposed Metrolink station to bring the greatest benefits to Portishead.
John Brophy, head of development at Aberdeen Standard Investments said:
“There is an opportunity to create something really exciting in the centre of Portishead. A great deal has been learnt from local feedback on previous proposals for the area around Old Mill Road and our team is looking forward to restarting a conversation about the future of this part of the town centre.
“Working closely with Portishead Town Council and North Somerset Council, we will collaborate with anyone interested in the future of this area, to create plans that support Portishead's recovery and the town's future success.
“More information will be available to share next year. Right now, we want to understand what people think about the area – what they like, what could be improved and how Portishead could be made an even better place to live, work and play.”
Next steps for the area
A steering group made up of representatives from Portishead Town Council (subject to its agreement), North Somerset Council, Aberdeen Standard Investments and local business will meet with a new team to begin gathering the evidence and understanding issues and opportunities in the area.
Between now and the end of the year, the steering group and their support team will meet regularly and gather all the evidence needed to gain a better understanding of the issues facing Portishead and how they can best be addressed. A key part of this will be to restart a conversation with the local community, businesses and anyone with an interest in the future of Portishead.
Any ideas emerging from the study will be shared with the public next ahead of any public engagement process.
Cllr James Tonkin, executive member for planning and transport at North Somerset Council, said:
“We're pleased that Aberdeen Standard Investments has listened to feedback it has received and will withdraw the Old Mill Road application to enable discussions about a fresh start of the area to happen.
“There is now an opportunity to look at this part of Portishead with a fresh set of eyes, understand the issues and engage partners and the community from the start.”
Portishead Town Council is expected to agree to be a key partner in the project at a meeting next week. The town council will play a pivotal role in representing the town and its communities as well as providing their local insight to benefit the project.
Paul Gardner, chairman of Portishead Town Council, said:
“This is an important step for the future of Portishead.
“We welcome the decision to withdraw the previous application for the Old Mill Road Business Park and look forward to starting a fresh conversation about how a wider area can be improved to the benefit of the local community, local businesses and people visiting the town.”
People can find out more by visiting wyndhamway.co.uk and can email WWSA@social.co.uk or phone 0330 1070 535 with any questions.