AN URBAN development firm has announced its strategy to turn around 'underperforming' Colwyn Bay.
In a controversial move by Conwy County Borough Council and the Bay Life Initiative, the Pioneer reported last month how 'creative architects' DPP Shape had been commissioned at a cost of £100,000 to look into improving the town.
With experience in developing cities like Liverpool and currently involved in creating a masterplan for West Rhyl, the group have identified what they will be looking at in Colwyn Bay.
DPP Shape will lead a team consisting of Keppie Massie (strategic property advice), Arc4 (housing strategy) and Martin Stockley Associates (transport and infrastructure) with a brief to improve the vitality of the town centre, which is detached from the beach by the A55, with particular focus on the residential area to the east of the town centre.
The group will create a town wide masterplan, design guide and a local neighbourhood plan concentrating on some of the area’s housing issues.
A spokesman stated: "The purpose of the masterplan is to balance the socio economic issues to ensure that the town does not follow recent familiar patterns into the housing market decline that has unfortunately characterised other coastal areas in the UK."
Shelagh McNerney, Managing Director at DPP Shape, said: "Shape is delighted to have been appointed to undertake a town wide plan for Colwyn Bay. This beautiful coastal town is set within a stunning environment and yet is underperforming for its residents, its businesses and its visitors and we need a new co-ordinated approach to secure its future. We look forward to getting to know another town in Wales and assisting the partnership develop and deliver new investment even in this most challenging of times."
Jocelyn Davies AM, Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration, confirmed she was confident the group would be able to give Colwyn Bay a boost.
She said: "The Welsh Assembly Government and the Bay Life Initiative has been impressed with DPP Shape’s early activities including stakeholder workshops. The quality and experience of the team selected by DPP Shape provides us with confidence in its approach and implementation of the masterplan process."