2020
Plans unveiled for improvement works at Carlton Square
Date Posted: 11:56 AM on Thu, 27 August 2020
Plans to improve Carlton Square have been finalised following consultation with local residents, businesses and the shopping precinct owners.
Working in partnership with the owners of the shopping centre, there will be a number of improvements made including to the car park and to the centre appearance.
The council’s part of the scheme will be funded by grants from Nottinghamshire Pre Development fund and, subject to an application, £350,000 from the D2N2 N2 Town Centre Fund. Gedling Borough Council will match fund up to £100,000 towards the project.
Works will include a new entrance to the car park from Burton Road, a new car parking layout, including identified spaces for electric vehicle points, and improved disabled parking spaces in the southern car park. There will also be new planting and boundary treatments, new paving and improved access between the car park and shopping area and a revised siting of payment machines and lighting.
Consultation on the plans took place last year and 97% of people who responded to the survey agreed that it was important to improve the town centre. The council also held a number of events in the centre to show shoppers and businesses the proposals.
Architects Gordon White and Hood were hired to design the square and were inspired by the challenge to improve and refresh both the layout and appearance of the site, using contemporary design features to create an identity.
The project is part of a wider regeneration programme for Carlton and it will contribute towards one of the council’s main priorities to regenerate its town centres and create a more vibrant economy. All of the proposals are subject to planning permission being approved and, if approved, works will start in the New Year.
Lead Architect at Gordon White and Hood, Will Bates said:
“Our involvement from the inception of this project has enabled us to explore a number of possible responses to the site, ensuring we seized the opportunity to make a tangible difference to the perception of the shopping parade and car park.”
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Councillor John Clarke said:
“We are very pleased to be unveiling the plans for Carlton Town Centre. We have consulted with residents and businesses before putting together this plan and it will make a massive improvement to the look and feel of the town. We made a pledge to revitalise our town centres, create a more vibrant local economy and make residents proud of where they live and where they shop.
We understand how important it is for businesses to not be affected by upheaval, caused by any works taking place, so if planning is approved, we won’t start until the early New Year, to allow businesses to continue to get back on track as they work hard to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. We have worked closely with the management agents, Waypoint, to make sure we get this right. We think residents will be really impressed with how the town centre will look and we expect it will encourage more people to shop locally.”