July Newsletter


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The Orchard Centre is growing Our proposals for the expansion of the Orchard Centre are part of a multi-million pound regeneration programme to transform Didcot town centre and enhance its position as a focal point within the Science Vale. The first phase has been a huge success, attracting shoppers from across southern Oxfordshire. We are now proposing an extension to the Centre, building on this existing success to deliver further significant benefits to the community.

Proposals Our expansion would deliver an additional £50 million of investment into the town centre, creating a vibrant and thriving location at the heart of Didcot. The plans include: • 2 4 new shops anchored by a new M&S FoodHall, providing additional choice and an improved shopping experience • Three new public spaces, including one at the heart of the expanded Centre suitable for markets and other community events • Six new restaurants and cafés around the central public space bringing life during the day and into the evening

• A  flexible and modern gym • 100 new car parking spaces and 80 new cycle spaces Over 500 new jobs will be created in the expanded centre, as well as opportunities in the construction process and supply chain.

A new public event space, as well as restaurants and cafes, will be at the heart of the expanded Orchard Centre

FREEPOST RTHZ-AKZT-SABG GL HEARN 280 HIGH HOLBURN LONDON WC1V 7EE

The expansion will be anchored by a new M&S food hall

New public spaces Orchard Street

Towards the new Orchard Square 12 x 12m ice rink

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Our proposals are poised to transform the amount and quality of open space in the town centre. The growth of the Orchard Centre would provide three new public spaces, including one located at the heart of the expanded centre that would be suitable for markets or other large community events. This would be integrated with the new restaurant quarter, creating a vibrant social space for shoppers and centre visitors.

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In order to facilitate the expansion of the Orchard Centre, we have to deliver a new route for the buses which currently make use of High Street. Having analysed the various options for rerouting the buses, the use of Station Road is the only deliverable option. This has been confirmed by an independent technical review undertaken for South Oxfordshire District Council.

Aspirational use of the space

PROPOSED BUS LINK - VIEW 2

Illustrative use of the central space as an ice rink

We recognise that some concerns have been raised around issues such as safety and the character of the public space on Station Road. There are however numerous examples of this kind of space working successfully across the country, including nearby central Oxford. We have undertaken a safety audit of the proposed new route which concluded the space will continue to be suitable as a shared public space. Redirecting buses along Station Road will allow the whole of the town centre to be better served than at present and allow for those travelling to Didcot on buses to arrive right outside the shops, the cinema and Cornerstone.

Station Road as a shared surface

Orchard Centre, Didcot

Next steps We recently provided South Oxfordshire District Council with some design improvements to our planning application (P15/S0433/FUL) responding to comments received during its consultation process. These include amendments to the detailing of some of the new shop fronts, and the location of the new bus stops. You can submit your feedback on the amendments to the Council via the website, via email ([email protected]) or post (SODC Planning, 135 Eastern Avenue, Milton Park, OX14 4SB). We currently anticipate that the amended proposals will be considered by the planning committee later this summer. If permission were to be granted, we hope to make a start on site as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the proposals for the centre, you can contact a member of the project team via 0344

225 0003 or by emailing [email protected]. You can also find details of the proposals on the centre’s website www.orchardcentre.co.uk You can cut out and return the slip below to the project team to let us know whether you support these exciting proposals.

I’m supporting the proposals for the expanded Orchard Centre

YES

NO

Why? Name Postcode Your details will only be used for the purposes of this consultation. Responses will be submitted to the Council ahead of a decision on the proposals being made.