Council Needs a Plan for the Future of Epsom Town Centre

11.25.00am BST (GMT +0100) Sun 20th Jul 2008

The council needs to plan for the future of Epsom town centre

Epsom & Ewell's Lib Dem councillors are asking the borough council by way of a "Motion to Council" to plan an Epsom Town Centre for the future.

An externally commissioned Comparison Retail Study on Epsom Town Centre was considered by the Planning Policy Sub-Committee in April. Recognising the importance of preserving the character of Epsom as a small-scale market town, avoiding developments that would lead to unacceptable levels of traffic, protecting the viability of existing businesses and respecting the wishes of residents as well as businesses, the council is being asked to arrive at an agreed vision and model for the future. Concern has already been expressed about the potential for a serious decline in the retail environment.

The suggestion is that a Working Party is set up, involving representatives from all council groups, a planning policy officer and from the business community. Its conclusions would come forward early in 2009.

The Motion will be put to a meeting of the whole council on 22nd July but will probably be put on the agenda of a future meeting for a full debate.