The removal of the retail units between Limes Walk and The Wakes is aimed at bringing The Place and Market Street closer to the High Street helping to consolidate the town centre. The redevelopment will support the provision of an enlarged public realm space to enhance the prominence of the theatre and create a focus for amenity and events/activities as well as creating better spaces for improved outlets within an enhanced, pedestrian focused environment. As part of the proposals, the retained units on Limes Walk will be reconfigured to create additional units, introducing diversity into the retail offer and support an active retail frontage to encourage footfall and spend in existing businesses and those relocated as part of the development proposals. These works will be supported by a programme of shopfront improvements to enhance the image of the town.

The significance of introducing residential development into a town centre is well documented as being key to sustaining vibrant town centres in the face of changing retail habits.

Among many other assessments, Traffic, Noise and Air Quality Assessments for the development are being carried out and the design detail will incorporate measures, like any other town centre living that ensure the town centre environment is an enjoyable place to live.

The development will provide a high quality housing offer, located at the heart of the town centre and benefitting from its amenities as well as proximity to Oakengates rail station. Delivered to Nationally Described Space Standards, with large open plan living spaces, the dwellings will be targeted at a younger demographic and seek to increase footfall, spend and vitality within the heart of Oakengates. The new housing offer will meet energy efficiency standards and is situated in a sustainable location with direct access to the Oakengates train station and bus services. Responsibility for housing and tenancy management will rest with Nuplace, the Council's wholly owned housing company.

The Council recognises this is a period of uncertainty for businesses and is in contact with those directly affected by the proposals to provide tailored support to each occupier. Whilst a number of businesses are being offered the opportunity to remain within the development, others will be supported to find new premises. Work is not programmed to start until 2023 which provides a lead in period for the Council to help businesses plan for the future and for the Council to design the phasing of the redevelopment works to minimise the effects on businesses and the wider town centre whilst works are underway.

We've bid against the parameters set out within the Towns Fund bidding criteria and to ensure that we give the greatest impact from the investment.

Extensive consultation and engagement has taken place at a number of levels to help inform the development of the Town Investment Plan.

These answers have been compiled from frequently asked questions arising from the latest consultation and engagement on the proposals which took place between 24 June and 15 July 2022.

We are committed to the ongoing provision of free car parking within Council owned car parks within Oakengates. We are aware of the issues of car parking availability and are working to develop a long term parking plan for Oakengates, taking into account concerns raised to us.

As part of the works to enhance and improve the public realm, the design proposals extend to incorporate the upgrading of the ramp leading from the main car park behind the theatre. This will include resurfacing works, addressing the condition of the handrails and views to the service yard behind The Wakes.

As a Council we are committed to ensuring that every child in the borough has access to good educational facilities. This is reflected in the current investments taking place at a number of schools including the recently completed Langley and Horton expansions and the current investment at Holy Trinity Academy. As is the norm with any planning application which include residential development, the Council, as applicant, will be expected to contribute by way of a Section 106 Agreement towards the continual investment in educational facilities. The provision of GP spaces is a matter for the NHS with whom the Local Planning Authority consult as part of planning and investment setting.

We are working with the landscape architects as well as colleagues at the Council to identify and specify materials that we know are sustainable and durable, but can be easily replaced and maintained. This includes reviewing lessons learnt in relation to materials used historically. Alongside this we are developing a maintenance strategy for the wider public space.

The aim of the development is to open up the area to improve visibility and accessibility between these key areas, including the demolition of the central block of retail and the removal of the canopy that wraps around the shops. The introduction of a residential use over the retail units provides an active residential community within an area that would normally close when the retail function ends. The team are also liaising with key stakeholders regarding the operation and refinement of the current CCTV system.