Blueprint for town brings out crowds (From Gazette Series)

Blueprint for town brings out crowds

A BOWLING alley is one possibility for regeneration in Dursley and surrounding villages.

Forward-looking residents turned out in force to have their say on the future during a public consultation on Saturday.

Around 60 people attended the Vale Vision meeting in Dursley Community Centre on Saturday to see the group's blueprint for possible regeneration over the next 15 years.

The working group, set up to develop the Market and Coastal Towns Initiative Partnership for Dursley district, had a lot of positive feed-back and members are now taking comments forward to help develop a definitive action plan.

Vale Vision co-ordinator Rosemary Stower said the group was impressed by the number of people who attended.

"Organisers were amazed at the amount of interest shown in the community open day," added Mrs Stower. "It was a very positive day and responses will be taken forward to help formulate the definitive plan."

Stroud MP David Drew and Stroud district councillor Nigel Studdert-Kennedy were among community representatives present.

People from clubs and organisations also attended to outline desires for the future.

Featuring on the wish list formed during the meeting were the possibilities of a bowling alley, theatre and a "prettier" town centre.

Stroud district and Cam parish councillor Miranda Clifton spoke on behalf of youth.

She said from experience she found young people in Cam and Dursley often said they had nowhere to go.

"Young people say they love the countryside but have nowhere to go," she stated. "A cinema bus and a coffee bar are among requests we have received."

Members of the public showed a desire to see a multi-purpose building including a theatre and bowling alley replace Lister Hall.

Group vice-chairman Chris Cresswick spoke about business and tourism and what he thought priorities were.

"Our efforts need to be bigger and better," he said. "Dursley needs beautifying."

The town needed a developer to take the plunge. "People need to see things happen," he said. "Regeneration in Dursley is a sleeping giant."

Elderly Dursley resident Joan Kingham echoed Mr Cresswick's ideas, stating she would like to see Parsonage Street returned to its former glory.

Vale Vision chairman Gloucestershire county and Dursley town councillor Geoff Wheeler told the meeting he was aware there had been many surveys and proposals for improvement put forward in recent years.

"Vale Vision is pulling together plans for action," he said. " Major developments like the Lister site and supermarket in Dursley need to be linked to existing facilities in the town to form part of a broad vision that recognises the realities of transport and parking and the importance of providing local services for an expanding population."

Representatives of clubs and organisations also had an opportunity to appeal for more support.

Roger Batty, of Dursley Rugby Club, reported the club has 300 children on its books and is in need of more space.

Dursley Guide representative Frances Neale said the group requires volunteer leaders to help establish a new Rainbows troop.

Mrs Stower said the results of the meeting would now be used to help finalise the draft plan.

"We will be carrying out further detailed research to support and prioritise specific proposals," she added. "We will then seek funding and support to turn the vision into reality."

Vale Vision is appealing for more residents to help with research, put forward specific proposals for support or champion existing projects.

It also has a vacancy for a paid community agent to gather information and carry out research.

Anyone interested in the position, or in joining the group is asked to contact Rosemary Stower on 01453 543890 or by emailing rjstower@aol.com