City centre plans refined after public feedback

Cambridge's Guildhall would be refurbished under the proposals

A £20m proposal to transform a city centre has been refined following public feedback, a council has said.

Cambridge City Council previously asked for views on plans to improve the Corn Exchange, Guildhall and Market Square to increase visitor numbers and reduce operational costs.

Mixed public feedback was received and now the council has updated its proposal before a planning application is submitted later in the year.

Simon Smith, the executive councillor for finance, said the authority had "listened closely" to the feedback and invited residents to take part in a new phase of engagement where views can be shared.

The Guildhall

Plans to add a hotel into the Guildhall have been dropped by the council

A significant concern raised in the public feedback was plans for a hotel at the Guildhall.

There were 260 comments of support while there were 232 against and 48 indifferent.

The council said it has now removed the plan for a hotel from the proposal.

It added it wanted to conserve the Grade II listed building and operate it at net zero.

Plans include a new customer service centre for people visiting the council, a public cafe as well as public toilets.

The site will have work spaces and meeting rooms for council staff as well as space for commercial tenants.

Issues were raised over the use of the council's chamber as part of the venue, in particular that it had various fixed furniture pieces and an uneven floor which would make it difficult to access.

The latest proposals have suggested removing this furniture to allow the space to be used for other events.

Cambridge Market

The council wants to create a "thriving seven-day market"

According to the council, it still plans to prioritise a "thriving seven-day market" with permanent stalls as well as demountable ones.

It is hoped this would allow for flexibility depending on trader demand.

As well as this there will be new covered seating areas along with better lighting for safety reasons.

The council has planned for an underground bin storage area and there will be a "small-scale cultural events and community activities" space.

In response to feedback last year, the council will also retain and restore the existing fountain in the market.

Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange's capacity will be increased to allow for more attendees and larger events

The council will improve the venue with energy-saving measures, it has said, which will include better insulation and solar panels.

It will be accessible in all areas while there will be better sound quality and new audio visual systems for events.

Event capacity is being increased and there will be an introduction of more concessions and bar areas.

'Further refining'

Smith said the plans were a "chance to create a civic quarter" that reflected the area's values.

"We've listened closely to last summer's feedback, as well as to experts providing guidance on heritage sites, carbon reduction, water reduction, biodiversity and community safety," he explained.

"This new phase of engagement is about further refining the proposals to get them right before we submit a planning application."

Views on the changes can be submitted online or in a community workshop for which the dates are listed online.