PLANS to redevelop Chippenham town centre into a 'destination of choice once again' have been revealed by Acorn Property Group - the owners of Emery Gate Shopping Centre.
The plans include the creation of over 200 one to three-bedroom apartments and around 3,500 square metres of retail, food and leisure units with the aim that the area would 'attract people from morning to the evening'.
Plans also show a new street would link the High Street and Island Park, this would lead to a courtyard and park terrace.
The proposals follow the recent closure of the large Tesco store within Emery Gate, the loss of Wilkinsons and the inevitable falling footfall as a result.
Acorn Property say there is a need to diversify what is on offer at the shopping centre in order for it to survive.
The plans were unveiled on Saturday 14th September and residents are being asked to give their feedback before a planning application is submitted in October.
Project manager Caroline Wall said: “The regeneration of Chippenham Riverside through the transformation of Emery Gate Shopping Centre is the biggest economic investment in Chippenham in decades.
“We are incredibly grateful for the interest in our plans since going public earlier this year.
“Hundreds of people have had their say and fed into the feedback process, which has been invaluable as our plans have developed.”
“At our drop-in event, we had over 300 people through the door with conversations around the proposed 225 new homes, the retention and improvement of commercial space and the enhanced links with Island Park, as well as many others.
“We're grateful to everyone for taking the time to join us and we will be taking comments into account as much as possible, as we move towards submitting our planning application next month.”
You can read more about the proposals here: https://emerygate-engage.co.uk/
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