Residents and businesses in Richmond are being invited to help shape the town’s future after a draft investment and regeneration plan was unveiled for public consultation.
Richmond is the first town in North Yorkshire to reach the draft stage of the new Town Investment Plans programme, which is designed to guide future funding and regeneration projects across 32 towns and key centres in the county.
The draft plan identifies a number of priorities for Richmond over the next five to 10 years, including the regeneration of the Market Place, the development of a year-round programme of cultural events and the redevelopment of the former Grammar School for community use.
The document also highlights wider challenges facing the town, including responding to an ageing population, improving opportunities to attract and retain younger people and enhancing parking provision to encourage visitors to stay longer.
The plans form part of a wider £1.2 million programme funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and will be used to help identify priorities and direct future investment.
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, Cllr Mark Crane, said: “I’m delighted that the first plan has now been developed which lays out the biggest challenges and most exciting opportunities facing Richmond over the next five to 10 years.
“I would encourage everyone living and working in the town to take a look and share your thoughts.”
Consultation events are being held to allow residents and businesses to review the proposals and provide feedback.
The event will take place at Market Hall from 10am to 3pm on Thursday, May 28.
People can also view the draft plan online and submit comments through North Yorkshire Council’s website.
Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, David Skaith, said the programme aimed to ensure local people were at the centre of shaping improvements in their communities.
He said: “The people who live in our towns and villages know what their areas need, so we are putting them at the heart of deciding what they want to see improve in their areas.”
The programme is running in the 32 locations of Bedale, Bentham, Boroughbridge, Catterick Garrison and Colburn, Easingwold, Eastfield and Cayton, Filey, Grassington and Threshfield, Harrogate, Hawes, Helmsley, Ingleton, Kirkbymoorside, Knaresborough, Leyburn, Malton and Norton, Masham, Northallerton, Pateley Bridge, Pickering, Richmond, Ripon, Scarborough, Selby, Settle, Sherburn-in-Elmet, Skipton, South Craven, Stokesley, Tadcaster, Thirsk and Whitby.
For more information, visit North Yorkshire Council’s website at https://www.northyorks.gov.uk/town-investment-plans.
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