A concept masterplan to revitalise Leamington Spa's Parade has received high levels of support from local residents and people working in or around the town centre.

The Leamington Transformation Board, which is made up of representatives of the town, district and county councils, created an emerging Parade Masterplan before Warwickshire County Council surveyed the public, businesses and organisations across eight weeks in the summer for their views.

And after more than 3,100 responses to that exercise were analysed – a very high number compared to similar surveys - 76 percent of respondents either agreed or strongly agreed with the masterplan.

The concept masterplan was created following months of engagement with local stakeholders, businesses and residents, and proposes concepts on how Parade can be improved for residents, workers, and visitors to the town.

Key components of the masterplan included pedestrianisation of the main street, the creation of a new town square near Leamington's town hall for community events and performances, and environmental improvements such as new trees, planting, and seating.

North Parade Update (image supplied)

The survey asked respondents to grade their feelings around the masterplan as a whole, as well as individual parts of the plan, in terms of strongly agreeing through to strongly disagreeing.

All twelve aims were supported by respondents, with strongest agreement for integrating trees and water features (89 per cent agreed or strongly agreed).

In addition, an open feedback section allowed respondents to share their own thoughts. 522 directly expressed support for pedestrianisation in this section, almost double the number of those who expressed opposition to it (262).

It is expected that a final design for Parade will be shared with the public in the new year subject to councillors agreeing to take the plans forward. Further public engagement on the finer details will also be held if the plans move on.

Mark Lee, Chair of the Leamington Transformation Board, felt the results showed the strength of feeling in the town for the future of Parade.

He said: "These responses show a town that cares about its future. People want Parade to be greener, safer and more welcoming, and we're really pleased that so many are backing our vision to improve it.

"We want Parade to be a place where businesses can thrive and people want to spend time. With strong public backing for the masterplan and its core aims, we can now move forward with confidence to refine the designs and deliver the transformation Leamington deserves.

"Should councillors agree to take the plans forward, there will be further chances for the public to share their thoughts on the detailed design. This is certainly not the end of the public's involvement with this scheme.

"But their initial feedback has been highly positive, and shows a groundswell of support for what we are trying to achieve with this project."

Town Hall Square (image supplied)

Cllr Jennifer Warren, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for transport and planning, added: "Parade is such a key road in Leamington and is crucial to the town's economy. "We want to make sure that we get any changes right so that we deliver a town centre that is fit for purpose.

"The success of this engagement and the input of so much informed opinion is an excellent starting point."

Cllr Chris King, Warwick District Council's Cabinet Member for Place, added: "I'm really pleased to see how many residents have taken the opportunity to share their views and support for the Transformation Board's vision for the Parade.

"Being central to the connectivity of the town centre, for businesses and for residents, it was important to ensure we hear their views around the potential ideas for improvements. We can now start to build on these plans and work towards developing a greener, more sociable, and event-focused town centre, for the whole district to enjoy."