Overview
Ambridge Council is seeking your views on the draft masterplan for the redevelopment of the historic market square and surrounding retail district. As shopping habits change, we aim to transform underutilized commercial spaces into a vibrant mix of affordable housing, green pedestrian zones, and modern community hubs. Your feedback will directly shape the final planning guidelines, ensuring future developments protect our local heritage while boosting the evening economy.
Background Information
The landscape of local planning has shifted dramatically over the last few years. Ambridge Council is navigating a dual challenge: the decline of traditional brick-and-mortar retail and a strict central government mandate to increase local housing supply.
Footfall in the historic town centre has dropped by 18% post-pandemic, leaving high vacancies and a stagnant evening economy. Concurrently, the council is legally required to update its 15-year Local Plan to address a severe shortage of affordable homes for first-time buyers. Rather than allowing uncontrolled urban sprawl into valued green spaces, the council’s planning department is shifting toward a "brownfield-first" strategy. These two consultations are designed to ensure that town centre revitalization and housing expansion happen sustainably, with direct input from the community on where infrastructure must grow to support this influx of residents.
How to Respond
Complete the consultation survey online at ambridge.democratic.website/consultations/town-centre-regen. Alternatively, attend one of our recurring public drop-in events held weekly at Ambridge Town Hall, Corn Exchange Community Hub, or Market Square Library, running from 4pm to 7pm throughout the consultation period.
This consultation is now closed and no longer accepting responses.