Local residents who have already helped shape the future of Matlock have a final opportunity to have a say on the way their town centre could look in coming years.
The vision of a new-look Matlock in the 21st century was prompted by a ‘health check’ undertaken with extensive public consultation by the Town Council in 2004.
Derbyshire Dales District Council then developed this into the preparation of a master plan that involved further widespread public consultation and now, following changes and alterations suggested by members of the public and business people in the town, the vision is soon to be considered for formal adoption as a strategy to guide future development in Matlock town centre.
Following on from the previous work, the resulting draft of the design guide, known as a Supplementary Planning Document (SPD), will be made available for public comment for a period of six weeks from 10 July to 21 August 2008.
A public meeting will be held at Matlock Town Hall at 6pm on Tuesday 15 July - everyone is welcome to attend to discuss the Draft SPD with representatives from the District Council.
Three main areas of Matlock and two smaller areas have been identified as key opportunities for redevelopment. All comments received as a result of the latest round of public consultation will be considered before the final version of the SPD is arrived at. Once the SPD has been adopted by Derbyshire Dales District Council the authority will be proactive in encouraging developers to invest in the vision of a new-look town centre.
Said District Council Leader Councillor Lewis Rose: “From the very start of this process it is the people who live and work in and around Matlock who have shaped the plan. They told us what they liked about this historic town, including its unique characteristics, but also identified areas in need of a facelift. We have listened very carefully to the comments made during every stage of the public consultation and have acted accordingly.
“For example, the original draft of the master plan envisaged Firs Parade as a pedestrianised area, but the feedback from local traders and shoppers to this idea prompted a re-think. The draft SPD now envisages chevron-style parking on one side only of Firs Parade, an excellent compromise that reduces congestion on a busy shopping street but also allows continued easy access to business premises.
“Public consultation has helped greatly to shape the future of Matlock and as part of the consultation on the suggested final document we will be contacting everyone who has responded previously. Once the guidance has been formally adopted the welcome challenge of working with landowners and developers to deliver the vision will begin.”
The three main areas identified as having potential for re-development are:
Bakewell Road, where the creation of a high quality “Riverside Quarter” is envisaged, including a major retail scheme. This area could also provide additional car parking spaces to serve the town centre.
Imperial Road, has the potential to become a high quality “Civic Quarter”, with a mix of uses including enhanced commercial, community and cultural facilities and possibly the creation of a new library. Envisaged for this area is a multi-purpose public square that can be used for markets and events.
Firs Parade/New Street, is seen as a high quality “Park Quarter”, with improved pedestrian connections between Firs Parade and nearby streets and green spaces, including Lime Grove Walk and Hall Leys Park.
Ways of reducing the impact of flooding, addressing climate change and taking account of traffic and transportation issues are also highlighted. Station Approach, a busy transport interchange and important pedestrian link to the rest of the town, is identified as an area that could be developed to provide a safe and attractive area for socialising and public events.
On Bank Road, it is suggested that the temporary District Council Annexe could be replaced by a high quality building designed for office and civic uses, possibly including a new library as an alternative to Imperial Road.
The District Council is also inviting comments on the positioning of the Bakewell Road 'gateway' and the future use of the sites between the new roundabout on the A6 and the Dimple Road junction, and on possible further improvements, following the recent Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme (HERS), to ensure the future vitality of Dale Road.
Once adopted, the document will be used in the determination of planning applications, helping to revitalise Matlock town centre by ensuring high standards of design with carefully chosen materials that create an attractive impact while respecting the current look and feel of the area.
Cllr Rose added: “The key challenge facing Matlock is for the town centre to become an area where local people can live, work, shop and socialise, and a place where visitors will be drawn back to again and again.
"We believe the strategy document is vital in the guidance it will give to the way Matlock could and should develop.”
The full draft Supplementary Planning Document will be available to downloaded from the District Council website at
derbyshiredales.gov.ukfrom Thursday 10 July. Exhibitions will be staged in Hall Leys Park (next to the café), Matlock Town Hall Reception and the Imperial Rooms until August 21. Information leaflets will be available from all exhibition points and from Matlock Library, the Tourist Information Centre and District Council offices.