Councillors seeking steps forward on Southport’s street scene
Lib Dem leader Councillor Sue McGuire has met with the Council’s new Head of Planning Stuart Barnes and heritage officers to look at ways of bringing in outside money to help improve the look of the central parts of Southport. Deputy Leader and town centre councillor Tony Dawson has also meet with the same officers together with representatives of the Southport Civic Society.
Focus of immediate attention is Stage 1 of a Heritage Lottery bid that is being developed to improve some of the worst buildings affecting the townscape of the Lord Street Conservation Area.
“Although there are other areas of concern,” says Councillor Dawson, “the disgraceful north side of Scarisbrick Avenue walkway is probably the worst-looking set of buildings in the town centre.” (Cllrs McGuire and Dawson are pictured above outside the crumbling Scarisbrick Avenue terrace).
“The Council had hoped that the private sector would take hold of this site, as has happened in Coronation Walk, and improve it but this has not happened.”
“We will be pleased to work with the Civic Society and any other groups who are concerned with this area to try to set a long term plan for Southport town centre.”
“In the meantime, we are happy to give support to the Council’s efforts to gain Lottery support for improvement to a limited range of the worst buildings.”
Councillor Sue McGuire is also positive about the efforts being made by the Council:
“I am pleased that officers are beginning to recognise the input which Southport’s elected councillors and other local groups can make to improving our town centre.”
“Where there are limited funds, it is important that the key priorities for improvement are set by people who live and work here. It is our job, as councillors, to bring these people together with the Council officers and to represent their views as decisions are being made.”
The Councillors and John Pugh MP are keen for Southport residents to have their say about the priorities for the town Centre. These can be emailed in via: pughj@parliament.uk
Submit News Contact us with your community, business or sport news. Phone 07581350321
Email ots@otsnews.co.uk
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Otsnews-Southport-1575528676012039/
Twitter www.twitter.com/onthespot_news
Breaking local news as it happens, searchable archives with photographs, the ability to instantly comment on news articles – there are so many advantages to OTS (Onthespot) News.
If you want your news read locally online then send it to ots@otsnews.co.uk – relying only on the newspaper is to restrict yourself to an ever reducing audience.
OTS News on Social Media