Major planning document to "shape the future of Salisbury" approved

The Salisbury Central Area Framework (CAF) will help determine what the city centre will look like in the years to come.

Wiltshire Council says the document, which has now been endorsed by the Strategic Planning Committee, will guide future developments and schemes in the city centre to "make it a more vibrant, attractive and sustainable place."

A range of stakeholders have been involved in the plan over the last couple of years and there have been two public consultations on the proposals.

The CAF sets out five key themes:

• Creating people friendly streets - To make the central area a better place for people to move around safely, comfortably and in a more pleasant environment with reduced noise and air pollution and reduced greenhouse gas emissions; prioritising cycling, walking and public transport.

• Improving open space and the environment - The delivery of a connected River Park through the city centre and improving connections between the existing green spaces to enhance nature, leisure and enjoyment.

• Creating vibrancy - Enabling spaces and premises in the city to adapt to uses which provide entertainment and experiences to residents and visitors in addition to the day-to-day retail, leisure and service offer.

• Bringing out Salisbury's qualities - To enhance buildings and spaces to best showcase the unique and beautiful heritage of Salisbury.

• Identifying character areas and their role in the city - Defining identity and purpose to the various parts of the central area to enhance their character and roles.

Under each of these themes, various projects and initiatives are being progressed which Wiltshire Council say will have "a positive impact on Salisbury."

WHAT SORT OF THINGS COULD WE SEE?

Aside from the plans to pedestrianise part of Salisbury City Centre the document focuses on parking and transport with Culver Street car park recommended for a makeover.

Brown Street car park would close and Salt Lane car parks would partially close with the areas being redeveloped for commercial property or homes.

The city's train station would also be revamped with plans for a multi-storey car park there.

Other steps include making Fisherton Street regarded as one of the gateways to the city more attractive.

CITY SECTORS:

The framework also suggests focusing on the nine different areas of Salisbury and making the most of them.

It stresses that will "not only help people to find their way around the city but create marketing opportunities for local businesses and promote the city’s heritage and shops."

Cllr Philip Whitehead, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said:

"The CAF creates an exciting and challenging strategy to deliver a more vibrant and sustainable Salisbury. It provides an ambitious set of recommendations which seek to protect the environment, reduce the likelihood of flooding, and reduce motor vehicle movements through the city while ensuring the city remains accessible to all.

"Wiltshire Council and its partners have commenced initial work on a number of projects to deliver the objectives of the CAF and ensure the city recovers from the impacts of the nerve agent incidents of 2018, COVID-19 and adapts to the economic opportunities and challenges which face the city.

"Once funding has been secured we will involve local people again, so they can help shape the various projects moving forward."