NEWTOWN’S New Year wish list has been unveiled after the I Love Newtown group submitted its plans to Powys County Council.
The group has been holding a long running consultation designed to come up with public backing for projects to be included in the local development plan.
More than 500 people attended the showcase of ideas which was held in High Street during October and the results have shown overwhelming backing for improvements to the town centre.
Neither housing nor new business premises were considered to be required for the town, with respondents urging more to be made of what already exists.
Interestingly the proposal for pedestrianisation of High Street was favoured by 69 per cent of those who responded while 22 per cent said they were not in favour of the plan.
Doug Hughes, one of the key movers behind the project, said he had been delighted with the response.
He said: “I was very impressed with the time people invested in answering the comments sections of the questionnaires. It wasn’t just a box ticking exercise, people really embraced the ideas.”
Mr Hughes said the majority of responses were focussed on improving the town centre and there was significant support for a pedestrianisation project.
He said: “I think what people want is town centre improvements. They want more confidence in their town and the town council to reflect their concerns about a town centre which has been in a state of flux.
“I think with the pedestrianisation of the town, whatever street it would be, they were looking at improvement of the town centre experience focussed on the Market Hall.
“The people who responded did not think we were doing enough with the river or the park, so they were looking for ideas to improve both areas for younger and older people.”
Mr Hughes added that the proposals shown at the exhibition, including a bridge over Llanidloes Road, new signage, a bandstand and other park improvements along with suggestions to enhance the river, such as a boathouse, would be suggested for the local development plan.
He said: “All will be submitted as ideas but it is not exhaustive and it will change over time and when the time comes to implement them we will go back to the community and ask them what they want.
“Nothing is set in stone but it’s giving people a platform of ideas to work from when the time comes.”
Those who wish to view the report can do so by visiting www.uppersevernnews.org.uk/ilovenewtown