New Hucknall town center master plan will be out for public consultation

It comes after the authority’s cabinet approved a four-week consultation on the major 38-page plan, with events taking place in April and May.
The document was first released by the council last week and outlines plans to “breathe new life” into the city and surrounding suburbs.
The plans in the document call for reviving abandoned or disused downtown buildings for retail, catering, recreation or even residential purposes.
A transport hub will also be favored near the train and tram station to bring people into the city, while the authority wants to build on the successes of businesses like the newly opened Arc Cinema complex.
Other elements of the plan include moving store shutters away from the main street to open up store fronts and introducing murals, street art and “living walls” to make the town center “ vibrant”.
The details of the master plan will shape the authority’s £20million bid for the government’s leveling fund, which is currently being drawn up and is expected to be submitted in the coming weeks.
The authority last week appointed a consultant to help craft the offer, which will follow successful bids totaling £70m for Towns Fund and Future High Streets in Kirkby and Sutton.
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At a council cabinet meeting on March 29, councilors welcomed the launch of the consultation and said they wanted to “see what people think”.
Councilor John Wilmott (Ash Ind), representing Hucknall North, is portfolio holder of authority for licensing, environmental health and regulatory services.
He said: “I am delighted to have this master plan presented to the people, and I am delighted.
“Consultation is very important – I want to see what people think about it, not what we think about it.
“We have a great opportunity here to raise the profile of Hucknall. It must happen.
“We need to encourage quality retailers and businesses in the city center and spread awareness that Hucknall has so much to offer.”
Chief Authority Advisor Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind) has confirmed that details of the master plan will be the “backbone” of the Leveling Up Fund offering.
He said: “Hucknall is very important for the administration and for the authority, there is a huge amount of stuff in there because Hucknall has always been a priority.
“There’s a lot of investment and good things to come, and that’s the backbone of a strong leveling fund offering coming forward so we can make the case to the government that Hucknall needs the funding.
“It’s about education, aspiration, creating good jobs and retention, I think that’s exactly what people deserve.
“Hucknall is already our most vibrant town centre, but we need quality jobs. So when people return from college or elsewhere, they know there are opportunities to stay in the area.
“With tram connections, Hucknall is already doing that, but we also want to bring people in, keep them there.”
He added that the authority had “learned the processes” of the government’s tender system from previous successful bids, believing Hucknall’s plans would be “sound”.
And Councilor Dave Hennigan (Ind), who represents Central Sutton and New Cross, believes the master plan is “reasonable”.
He said: “We have to rely on companies like Arc Cinema and that’s exactly what it does.
“It’s a sensible plan for a sensitive time and I hope it will be a stepping stone to a successful Leveling Fund offering.”
Numerous walk-in viewing events will be organized by the authority to allow residents of Hucknall to have a say in the plans.
The council is expected to publish details of the events in full on its website, while the 38-page document will also be displayed in public buildings, such as libraries.