CHARD residents will have another chance to have their say on plans to regenerate the town centre over the summer.

South Somerset District Council will be consulting with residents over the public realm improvements it intends to make to the town centre as part of its much-trumpeted Chard Regeneration Scheme.

The council recently submitted plans for the first phase of the scheme, which entail the creation of a new swimming pool, leisure centre and community hub as well as relocating the library from its current base within Boden Mill.

But in the months leading up to this being approved, the council is looking at how it can improve walking and cycling routes to and from the town centre, as well as improving its general appearance and reviewing parking provision.

A written update on the scheme came before the council’s area west committee when it met in Chard on Wednesday evening (June 19).

Rebecca McElliott, the council’s property and development project manager, said Element Urbanism and Hydrock had been appointed to review Chard’s public realm offer, and would report back in due course.

She said in her written report: “Public realm includes an examination of routes to and from the town centre to ensure walking and cycling are easier and more desirable, as well as improving the environment, look and feel of the town centre to increase its appeal, and take better account of the historic built environment.”

The review will look at car and coach parking provision, as well as the quality of signage and pedestrian access, and will produce a design guide to which improvements to the public realm will adhere.

Ms McElliott said residents and businesses would be able to comment on the proposals in “June or July 2019” – with the council subsequently confirming the precise dates for any consultation were still being finalised.

The plans for the first phase of the regeneration (centring on the swimming pool and leisure centre) were officially submitted by the council on June 10, with the public being invited to submit written comments via the council’s website.

Ms McElliott said: “The planning application is likely to take at least three months to determine.

“Due to the historic nature of the site, works – including demolition – cannot commence until planning permission is granted.

“The community hub will include the library, customer access points for the district council, the registrar, Somerset County Council social services and space for museum displays.”

The plans will be considered by the area west committee later in the year – though the final decision will be taken by the council’s regulation committee after this meeting.

The council is continuing to work on detailed plans for phase two of the regeneration, including the revamping of the existing mill buildings, and has enlisted pupils from Holyrood Academy to assist with this.

Ms McElliott said: “The project team is working with Holyrood Academy because there are aspirations to make the regeneration scheme a part of their students’ project work. This fits in with the curriculum and it is an excellent way of engaging the young people in Chard.

“Subject to agreement with the school, we will propose a framework for the Boden Mill case study.”

To have your say on the phase one proposals, visit www.southsomerset.gov.uk/services/planning and search for planning reference 19/01630/FUL.