It is recognised that the existing town centre faces a number of issues including traffic congestion, poor air quality, high vacancy rates of retail premises and a poor retail offer. The town centre however, has seen some regeneration, primarily through the recent development of the Grove Theatre and associated developments.

The Masterplan sets out a vision for the town centre and development objectives as well as key principles to help guide emerging proposals as they come forward. It is important to emphasise that the Masterplan is not a blueprint but a vehicle to guide and promote renewal, redevelopment and improvement of the town centre.

The Masterplan, which has been developed with input from key landowners, local residents and businesses includes a number of key proposals such as:

Redeveloping the town centre with a mix of retail, office, leisure, residential and community facilities;

• Building a new medical centre;
• Improving connections to different parts of the town;
• Improving access to the town centre by public transport, including the guided busway;
• Improving walking and cycling routes; and
• Improving congestion.

Cllr Ken Matthews, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Skills and Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council said: “Dunstable is in need of rejuvenation and by providing a Masterplan for the town, we will be able to guide any future developers who are looking to regenerate and invest.

“This is a big step for Dunstable and one that could have a very positive outcome for the town in years to come. We now need to focus our attention to the implementation of the plan and securing the levels of investment needed to turn around the fortunes of Dunstable for all its residents, visitors and businesses.”

The full Masterplan can be viewed under our document section.

If you would like to speak at the meeting, you will need to register your interest no later than 15 minutes before the start of the meeting. If there are more than 3 persons who wish to speak, the Chairman of the Committee will determine the number of speakers and the period of time allocated for public questions, statements or deputations. Where members of the public have similar issues, they may wish to nominate a person to speak on their behalf and represent the views of others. Appointing a representative to speak on behalf of several residents will provide an opportunity for other persons to speak and raise any additional matters.

In order to assist with this process please notify Sandra Hobbs, Committee Services Officer, by Tuesday 8th March 2011 at the latest. Sandra Hobbs can be contacted on Tel No: 0300 300 5257 or email: sandra.hobbs@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk if you wish to speak at the meeting.

It is recognised that the existing town centre faces a number of issues including traffic congestion and high vacancy rates of retail premises. The town centre however, has seen some regeneration, primarily through the recent development of the Grove Theatre and associated developments.

The Draft Masterplan is being developed with input from local residents, businesses and others and based on this feedback the Council is now consulting on the Draft Masterplan which will include:

Redeveloping the town centre with a mix of retail, office, leisure, residential and community facilities;
Building a new medical centre;
Improving connections to different parts of the town;
Improving access to the town centre by public transport, including the Luton-Dunstable Busway;
Improving walking and cycling routes; and
Improving congestion

Cllr Ken Matthews, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth, Skills & Regeneration at Central Bedfordshire Council said: “Dunstable is in desperate need of rejuvenation and by providing a Masterplan for the town, we will be able to guide any future developers who are looking to regenerate and invest. I hope that everyone with an interest in Dunstable will take the time to look at the proposals on offer and give us their views on the plans.”

Public consultation on the draft masterplan and Conservation area appraisal will be open for six weeks, launching on Saturday 18 September 2010 with a public exhibition at the Grove Theatre where council officers will be on hand to answer questions. It is hoped that there will also be representatives from the NHS available to talk about their plans for a new medical centre in the town centre as well as council officers talking about the Local Transport Plan and the Luton/Dunstable Busway.

If you cannot make the exhibition at the Grove Theatre, it will be moved to the former Stead and Simpson shop in the Quadrant Shopping Centre on Monday 20 September 2010 between 11am and 4pm. Once these two exhibitions have been completed all of the display boards will be available for viewing at Priory House Heritage Centre in High Street South, Dunstable, from Thursday 30 September to Monday 1st November 2010. Priory House is open Monday to Saturday between 10am and 4pm.

People attending the exhibitions will be able to collect a consultation leaflet as well as a tearaway questionnaire/comment section which can be returned to the council with your views on the proposals.