Southampton City Council (SCC) is inviting the public to “work with the council to reimagine Bitterne District Centre”.
Article continues after this message...
The reimagination process will apparently involve “participating in a survey to give suggestions on what they would like to see improved”, under the following headings:
- Travelling in Bitterne
- Upgrading Bitterne's facilities
- Greening and family green spaces
- Ideas for underused spaces
The Labour-controlled council said that at the beginning of the year it had confirmed that it will be investing up to £3m into Bitterne District Centre.
As reported, previous Labour plans for a £30m so-called ‘Bitterne Hub’ development, approved in February 2020, were subsequently axed by the Conservative administration when it won control of the city in May 2021, with the party saying they’d look at what could be done for less cost.
.
Now the current Labour council, which regained city control this May, says it’s inviting “Bitterne, Harefield or Peartree resident[s], business or regular visitor[s] to Bitterne District Centre” to have their say at:
https://yourcityyoursay.southampton.gov.uk/bitterne-centre
How many times will we be asked? As anything to do with tribal politics, same time next year we will be asked again!!!
— Kimmy (@Ellzmum) September 6, 2022
The survey will be open for four weeks and will help shape the initial concept improvements planned for Bitterne, said the authority.
“It will also provide valuable feedback which could be used in the future to help identify potential longer-term regeneration,” it added.
Cllr Eamonn Keogh (Lab), cabinet member for transport and district regeneration said: “This investment will be used for improvements identified by the community, including local businesses, that can be delivered over the next two years. We want to hear from local people in the neighbouring wards of Bitterne, Harefield, and Peartree as we believe that they are best placed to tell us how the opportunities to live, work, study and enjoy Bitterne District Centre can be improved and spend this money on what really matters to them.”
Article subsequently updated to include social media comment