Have your say on the Baxters Plain redevelopment!

Local views are being sought on ideas to improve the public realm in and around the area known as Baxters Plain, which is outside the former Argos building and in front of the old Post Office Building.

The consultation starts on 26 July, with drop-in sessions between 11am and 3pm at The Place, New Conduit Street, and within the Vancouver Quarter.

The initial ideas have been drawn together by BDP, who recently designed the Southgates scheme which successfully secured £24m of government funding.

This feasibility study is looking at:

• Linking Baxters Plain to the town’s history and giving it its own unique identity
• Creating a pedestrian-friendly environment which is well connected through walking, cycling and public transport
• Enhancing planting and providing additional street trees
• Creating a pavement culture and providing opportunities for small events and temporary art installations
• Developing a space which enhances the vibrancy and economic viability of retail and leisure facilities, especially Tower Street, Blackfriars Street, Broad Street and New Conduit Street
• Removing unnecessary signage and street clutter to provide a better environment and appropriate street furniture.

Oliver Judges, West Norfolk Council’s executive director for place, said: “The site has been identified as a priority area, and plans are being drawn up so that if opportunities to bid for funding arise, the scheme will be ready to go. The Government seems to prefer schemes to be ready to go so we want to be sure we are best placed to secure any funding that becomes available.”

“Further development of the proposals will take place to incorporate responses to the consultation, and we are looking forward to hearing people’s suggestions for use of the spaces within Baxter’s Plain.”

Anyone unable to attend the drop-in sessions will be able to have their say by visiting www.visionkingslynn.co.uk/baxtersplain. The online consultation opens on 26 July and will close on 20 August.

This feasibility study has been commissioned by the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk, with funding from the Government’s Shared Prosperity Fund, Norfolk County Council and the Borough Council of King’s Lynn & West Norfolk. It is a separate project to the Multi-User Community Hub. Any designs will need to complement the designs for the hub, and ensure that the setting for the historic cinema building is enhanced.