ELLESMERE PORT residents are being asked to help shape the plans for the town centre.

A public consultation started this week and continues until the end of November.

Cheshire West and Chester Council commissioned consultants Allies & Morrison to bring forward a Town Centre Masterplan for Ellesmere Port. The plans are now being shared with drop-in sessions around the town and a fixed display in the central library.

Councillor Brian Clarke, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Infrastructure said: “I hope that as many people as possible will find time to look at the plans, talk with our consultants and share their thoughts and suggestions.

“Our regeneration plans include a new Shared Services Hub located on the site of the existing bus station. It is envisaged that several health services will be based in the former TJ Hughes next to the bus station.

“The bus stops would be moved to Civic Way, and the Civic Way Council office would become vacant, providing further redevelopment opportunities."

It is planned for the new Shared Services Hub to be completed by mid 2021. The council has secured £8m from the local Growth Fund to finance its delivery.

Public service buildings in the area that are ageing and have become inefficient, and struggle to meet the needs of modern service delivery to local residents, will become development sites, once these services have moved into the new Hub, including the current Civic Way office.

Chris Farrow, chairman of the Ellesmere Port Development Board said: “Since 2010, the board has seen over £400 million investment in new manufacturing. Cheshire Oaks now employs over 2,000 mostly local people, hundreds of new homes are now built every year.

“Now we have a fantastic opportunity to renew the town centre for the 21st century. The board hopes the public will be as excited by this opportunity to contribute to their views on this masterplan."

Allies & Morrison have identified four themes to strengthen the town centre, by focusing on the day-time economy, transport and environmental quality, culture and evening economy, and housing and community.

The public consultation is based around these four themes, with a permanent display in the Central Library, accessible at normal opening times. The consultants will also lead four staffed events:

  • Trinity Methodist Church, Tuesday, November 6, 10am-2pm
  • Indoor Market, Friday, November 9, 10am-2pm
  • Port Arcades shopping centre, Thursday, November 15, 10am-3pm
  • Central Library, Thursday, November 15, 4pm-7pm

Visitors to the exhibition and drop-in sessions will be asked to complete a short questionnaire that asks for opinions on the various proposals. There is a question about the number of shops in the town centre, the proposals for a Shared Services Hub and attitudes about the existing market and how it could be improved.

The proposals include changes to the existing bus station and how people feel this could be beneficial.

Car parking issues in Ellesmere Port are also included in the consultation as is the additional work need to improve Whitby Road.

Action Transport Theatre has the ambition to create a new £5m cultural centre in Whitby Hall, the Council would like to gather opinions on this and are also looking at suggestions for improvements to Civic Square.

There is significant new house building in Ellesmere Port, the questionnaire asks what type of new housing is required in the town.

For more details about the masterplan, visit ellesmereportdevelopment.co.uk.