The Market Place - Update

07/10/11

The Board of Salisbury Vision has resolved to pass the responsibility for the improvement of the Market Place to the Salisbury Area Board of Wiltshire Council.

It has done this in light of the recent decision by the Salisbury Area Board to re-open consultation upon all aspects of the Vision’s Market Place project, currently submitted for planning permission.   

Sir Christopher Benson, Chairman of Salisbury Vision, has written to the Chairman of the Area Board, his letter states;

“It is clear to the Vision Board that the Salisbury Area Board feels it needs more time to consult and engage with the population of Salisbury over whatever work may be needed to improve the Market Place.   However, [the Salisbury Vision Board agrees] that the Market Place Improvement Project, initially commenced as long ago as 2007 and developed by the Vision ever since, has been consulted upon more than adequately.

“If, as it appears likely, the proposals for the Market Place are reduced to a repair and maintenance exercise then the Board considers that it ceases to be a project within the scope of the Vision.  Unless the Vision for the Market Place remains in large part as currently specified they believe that there can be no justification for the Vision Board to proceed with the project.  Under these circumstances the Vision pass the responsibility for such alternative works to the Salisbury Area Board of Wiltshire Council for it to proceed as appropriate.”

The Vision Board will continue, under the Chairmanship of Sir Christopher Benson to progress with the 23 other projects contained within the Vision programme, plus other projects that it has been working on and/or developing with its partners over recent years.  Active and evolving projects include:

• The Central Car Park and Maltings redevelopment
• Churchfields Industrial Estate
• Public Realm Strategy
• Business Improvement District
• The Friary Estate
• Traffic and Movement Strategy
• Vision for Salisbury Bus Quality Partnership

Sir Christopher Benson said:

“It is a great pity that this opportunity to transform our historic city centre which the Vision and its partners have developed over at least three years, with as many public consultations has been lost in this way.  I hope that the Salisbury Area Board of Wiltshire Council will come forward with a comprehensive scheme that delivers long-term improvement and addresses all the known problems that exist with the trees, drains and surfaces and not one that simply repeats the mistakes of the past. This situation is getting worse and whilst it is important to debate the issues, discussion on its own does nothing to help the local economy or the people of Salisbury.”

A Position Paper prepared by the Chairman in conjunction with the Director for consideration of the Board at a Committee of the Board meeting on 30th September provides background to the current situation.  A copy of this paper can be obtained by following this link:

http://www.salisburyvision.co.uk/assets/assets/Position%20Paper%20-%20For%20Issue.pdf

Please follow this link to participate in the Salisbury Area Board's survey. Please note that this survey is not conducted by the Salisbury Vision, but rather by Wiltshire Council's Salisbury Area Board.