It has been a great pleasure getting to know Worksop and what struck me immediately was the illusive river that can only be glimpsed occasionally. This, allied to the presence of the Chesterfield Canal, with a great range of associated buildings was the starting point for the Masterplan.
The river is at once a threat - I later learned that the River Ryton had caused chaos in November 2019 - and an asset; and also a great opportunity to bring the natural environment back into the Town Centre. The revitalisation of the waterfront, alongside reducing flood risk, will improve the offer of the town and open up new possibilities for leisure and town centre living.
The ideas that are presented in the Masterplan are designed to make the most of the assets of the town and respond to the challenge of changes in shopping habits, work and leisure that have been the result of underlying trends and more immediately in the post pandemic recovery. Each idea provides a framework that will lead to investments and projects that will deliver the vision that, by 2030 Worksop Town Centre will be the focus of community life, creating a place that serves the everyday needs of residents, whilst also being an exciting destination for visitors from the local area and further afield.
Alongside the natural heritage of Worksop is a proud and multi-layered history. Some of this is still in evidence above the shopfronts of Bridge Street that gently rises to the Old Market Square with some fantastic buildings that frame the space. Making the most of the existing buildings within the Town Centre is another key concept in the masterplan, bringing empty spaces and upper floors into use, attracting new residents and businesses.
As a compact town there is a real opportunity to re-establish to Worksop Town Centre as the focus of community life within easy walking and cycling distance or a short bus ride away. The consultation will also ask for your views on whether to bring cars back onto Bridge Street, with short stay parking.
I hope you found this first in a series of blogs interesting and I look forward to revealing more of where the inspiration for the Worksop Masterplan came from.
Timothy Crawshaw (MA MRTPI FRSA) is an International Planning and Development Consultant in the areas of urban design, planning, green infrastructure, energy efficiency and sustainable transport.
With experience in Eastern Europe, Africa and the Middle East, alongside an expanding UK practice, he has a specific interest in the role of the nature based approaches to addressing the climate emergency, alongside improving health and wellbeing outcomes and tackling inequality.
Timothy is an experienced lecturer, trainer and facilitator with a passion for community development, and he continues to champion the role of planning as a key part of the solution to the challenges of our times. Timothy is currently the Chair of the Tees Valley Nature Partnership and of the Historic Towns and Villages Forum and will be the Vice President of the Royal Town Planning Institute in 2021.
Last Updated on Wednesday, May 8, 2024