Latest News and Images
The long awaited redevelopment of Chard Town centre moved a step
closer when South Somerset District Council chose Henry Boot
Developments Ltd as their preferred development partner.
At a well attended drop-in event last October, Chard residents
gave their views on detailed design proposals for the former
ACI/Boden Mill site from a short list of two developers. Those who
could not attend gave their comments online or by letter.
The Chard Regeneration Scheme Project Board have now assessed
the merits of both proposals and their recommendation to engage
Henry Boot Developments Ltd, one of the UK's leading property
development companies, was accepted by South Somerset District
Council's District Executive Committee in early February.
Project Board Chairman Councillor Jo Roundell Greene said "We
had many things to think about when deciding on this crucial next
step. We were extremely grateful to receive the wide ranging views
on the two proposals and considered them carefully in coming to our
decision. We believe that we have chosen the right way forward for
Chard, but realise that this is only the beginning and there are
still a lot of issues we must work through with local residents and
our development partner."
Craig Mathias, who led the successful bid said "The Henry Boot
Developments team worked hard to ensure that our proposals support
the vision for the regeneration of Chard town centre. We look
forward to completing a formal agreement with South Somerset
District Council and making a start on this very exciting
project"
Their suggested design, known until now as 'Proposal B',
includes substantial physical redevelopment of the Boden Mill Site
to include a 45,000 sq ft foodstore, additional retail units,
residential, a Town Square, Undercroft parking for nearly 300 cars
and refurbishment of Boden Mill for a variety of uses including
retail, commercial and residential.
The proposal should bring much needed investment to Chard and
increased footfall to the town centre. The final design and layout
will be agreed through local consultation and the relevant detailed
planning application process before redevelopment is anticipated to
begin on site in late 2013/early 2014.
Hundreds of people had already helped to shape a masterplan and
vision for Chard's future, setting out the town's aims to
transform the former ACI factory site and Boden Mill area into
a vibrant mixed-use space with a well-defined public area and
strong pedestrian links.
The ongoing Chard Regeneration Scheme is being progressed by a
partnership between South Somerset District Council, the Homes and
Community Agency,Somerset County Council and Chard Town
Council.
Please use the links to view the submissions from
Henry Boot Developments Ltd:
Image 1: Overview of the
Proposed Regeneration The mixed-use development includes
the food store, undercroft parking, residential and retail premises
as well as a pedestrianised public square with the relocated
archway and regneration of Boden Mill
Image 2:
View into the proposed development: Connectivity with the Town
Centre (from Boden Street into the site).The relocated
archway clearly visible.
Image 3:
View into the proposed development:Mill Lane towards the
regenerated Mill - A new pedestrian access.
Image 4:
View into the proposed development:Entrance to the undercroft
parking. Vehicle and pedestrian movements are seperated and the
Mill brought into use.
Image 5: Boden Mill North
Elevation - Cross Section showing how the undercroft
parking uses the topography of the site to provide quality public
realm above.
Other News
Chard Town has its say Community Consultation Event was
held on Saturday 29th October 2011 with more than 200 local
residents and businesses commenting on proposals for the former
ACI/Boden Mill site.
A short list of two developers has now been selected
through a competitive process to put forward their detailed
proposals to redevelop Chard Town Centre (the former ACI
site). These proposals are being assessed through a
robust appraisal process and must include evidence of a
commercially viable development which also delivers on the
aspirations of the CRS Town Centre Masterplan (see the September
2010 exhibition boards below). Our aim is for a vibrant
mixed-use space around Boden Mill (commercial and residential) with
a well-defined public area and strong pedestrian links. Both
proposals aim to compliment what's already established in the town
centre and increase footfall.
Please find below a link to both proposals (these are the boards
that were on display at the public consultation)
Proposal A
Proposal B
The public consultation took place from 29th October until 7th
November. You can now view the Complete
Summary of Responses These results have been fed
into a recommendation and were presented to the Project Board in
February 2012.
17 March 2011 Chard Town Centre development brief is
published
A formal development brief for Chard Town Centre
that has been shaped by Chard residents over two years has now
been published. The brief sets out the town's aspirations for a
brand new town 'heart', including the redevelopment of the former
ACI factory site into an attractive shopping, eating and business
area, and invites developers to express initial
interest.
The document summarises the aspirations of
hundreds of residents and businesspeople, who have been working
with South Somerset District Council to form a vision and overall
masterplan for the town's future.
The brief seeks a vibrant mixed-use
space around the regenerated Boden Mill, with a well-defined public
square and strong pedestrian links, so that it becomes
a destination and space for events and markets that compliments
what is already established in the town
centre.
|