At a meeting of the Executive next week, Councillors will consider a visionary plan that will help transform Falkirk town centre.
The proposed masterplan defines and describes how the town centre could potentially change over the next 10 to 20 years, taking into account the challenges and pressures the area faces and the opportunities the likes of the new town hall will bring.
Created in collaboration with Three Sixty Architects, an award-winning firm with extensive experience in town centre regeneration, the plan has been built around the aspirations of the local community and businesses as well as the feedback gathered at the Council's masterplan event in June.
If approved on Tuesday, 22 August, the plan would guide decision making and be taken into consideration when determining planning applications, providing clear guidance on the future direction of the town centre and how its transformation will benefit the area long term.
As well as helping to attract more residents, promote cultural activities, enhance accessibility, and bring essential services to the town centre, the plan aims to preserve the area’s rich heritage and balance access for cars, active travel and public transport as well as foster a thriving café and nightlife culture.
It will also make clear the Council’s ambitions for the town centre to private sector partners who have a vital role to play in helping to deliver the vision through transformational investment that would help create a vibrant, thriving and bustling area.
Michael McGuinness, Head of Growth, Planning and Climate Change, said: "Our aim is to create a town centre that becomes a real source of pride for every Falkirk resident, and a destination that draws even more visitors to Falkirk and the surrounding areas. Extensive consultation with communities and businesses has informed every stage of the masterplan’s development, ensuring local people’s aspirations are at the heart of the vision for how the town centre could evolve.
“If Councillors are minded to approve the plan, it will provide a clear direction of travel not just for the Council but also partner organisations and the private sector. It will also provide us with an approach that can be replicated to help revitalise other town centres in the area."