WESTBURY Town Council has approved initial plans to restructure the rotunda in the High Street.
Councillors approved £25,000 to remove the central planter and benches which would free up the central area, improve access and reducing the opportunity for ‘mischief’. The money is to be recuperated from grants.
The town council say, “The rotunda is an under-used as a space at present and the relatively high walls mean it’s a focal point for potential mischief, particularly during the evening. Redeveloping the rotunda will make the current space more accessible and user-friendly.”
Councillors proposed to install a bench seat all the way around the rotunda and are hoping this will help create a ‘wellbeing area where groups could meet and have discussions in a form of mini arena.’
There is the potential the area could be used for performances, poetry readings and children’s entertainment.
The cost of the full project could rise to £45,000, although town council documents say that the final cost may be ‘less than half of the estimate’. At the recent full town council on Monday 10th January, councillors agreed to approve £25,000 in funding to start the project while applying for a government grant.
Cllr Jane Russ said, “The adjustment of the rotunda was always a part of the town council’s Vision for Westbury plan. This has come forward as our grants manager, Phil McMullen, has actually a £15,000 grant that we can apply for.
“Instead of taking it down to the ground, we would look at the idea of opening it up. The picture is just a rough idea, but the idea is that the space could be opened up for community use. We could have music, events, crafts, that kind of thing.”
Cllr Sheila Kimmins added, “Opening up the area would hopefully mean we have fewer young people use it for … hiding away, let’s say.”
The rotunda was included in Westbury Town Council’s own ambitious Vision for Westbury document, which is designed to regenerate the town centre. It is hoped that removing obstacles from the rotunda would allow the space to have a more varied use and improve access for residents.
