Multi-million pound proposals to transform Ashton-under-Lyne’s market square which include a huge new ‘feature canopy’ have been formally lodged.
Tameside council wants to regenerate the square by replacing the outside stalls and kiosks it says are currently plagued by anti-social behaviour.
Under the new proposals, the current fixed stalls and kiosks would be removed and replaced with a ‘large canopy’ which would allow space for ‘flexible units’ for traders, as well as for events and six kiosks, which would mostly be divided into two units.
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The total cost of the plans, which have now been submitted for consideration by the planning department, has been put at £10.8m which would be funded from the authority’s successful bid to the government’s Levelling Up fund.
“The regeneration of the Market Grounds presents an exciting opportunity for Ashton town centre as a new modern market town offering space for different types of events,” the design and access document states.
“Following consultation in 2022 with a wide range of public and stakeholders, concepts for the market square have been developed, with an emerging scheme to remove the fixed infrastructure to create a feature canopy and an inviting public realm space, creating a modern market offer that meets the needs of traders and the public.”
A cabinet report stated the revamp project is centred on a vision where Ashton Market is the ‘beating heart of the town’.
The planning documents outline the creation of a flexible space within the square for events and market ‘spill out, with pop-up market stalls to extend into the main square creating an ‘active central zone.
Additionally the council is also proposing to introduce a ‘playful’ green edge to the square, with integrated play features.
The planning application also includes the creation of new gardens at Wellington Road, by the Grade Two-listed Ashton Town Hall and the indoor Market Hall.
This could become an ‘inviting green gateway’ to the market grounds, the planning documents state, offering a public, accessible and calm green space to dwell.
And works would also take place on Market Street, improving Fletcher Square which would become a ‘more intimate’ arrival space connecting the east of the town centre with the market grounds.
It would also create a seating and gathering place next to the Market Hall’s food and beverage offer, and for smaller scale events.
The existing tree avenue on Market Street would be retained, with new seating areas created to make it feel ‘less ‘back of house’ and encouraging people to stop and stay.
The application also includes more planting on Warrington Street, and at the pedestrian area by Clarendon Sixth Form College and Tameside One, as well as improvements to Market Avenue.
The current outdoor market which has 104 fixed market stalls and eight kiosks, was the product of a £4.5m investment by the council which was completed in 2015.
However a report to executive cabinet stated that trader numbers have now declined to an average weekly occupancy of just 25 pc.
“The rest of Market Square lacks vibrancy, is unappealing and unattractive for visitors to the area and the space has remained a poor state for a number of years,” officers said.
The square has also been hit by antisocial behaviour incidents which negatively affect the way residents view the outside market area and led to a public space protection order being put in place by the council and Greater Manchester Police in October to prohibit certain activities linked to anti-social behaviour.
A decision on the application is expected after mid-September later this year.
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