ALL Radcliffe residents will be asked for their views on new and “ambitious” regeneration plans which could shape the town for the next 15 years.

A report recommending a new civic hub, repurposing the Market Chambers and improving riverside paths, has been given the green light by the council.

A six-week public consultation will get underway on June 22 with all Radcliffe households to receive leaflets – although online responses will be encouraged.

Council leader Eamonn O’Brien said the “clear” and “deliverable” proposals in the strategic regeneration framework will help transform Radcliffe into a “successful” and “vibrant” place.

He said: “I happen to think Radcliffe is a wonderful place and has a huge amount going for it. But inevitably, years of a post-industrial decline and the impacts of things like austerity have clearly affected places like Radcliffe.

“It’s essential on us to respond to that rather than simply acknowledge it. We have to come back with something that meets the expectations of people in Radcliffe. And this is our sincere attempt to do so.”

The proposals, prepared by consultants Deloitte, include the introduction of new work spaces in the town’s “core”, a new civic hub and a “complete revamp” of the town centre’s open space, making it more pedestrian-friendly.

Improvements to riverside paths and viewing platforms would complement  ongoing work to improve safety through new flooding defence schemes.

And a “comprehensive” car parking strategy has also been suggested.

Cllr O’Brien explained: “It’s about how people move around the town, but also how they can use the town itself. A lot of talk goes into things like [Radcliffe] being a commuter town, a dormitory town, a place in which people park up in the morning, leave, come back in the evening and go.

“That’s not our ambition for Radcliffe. We can do so much more than that.”

The local authority leader also “reconfirmed” the council’s commitment to delivering a new secondary school and a permanent community leisure facility.

He also described the delivery of housing on Radcliffe’s brownfield sites as “key” to the plan to sustain the economy and improve the “cultural offer”.

Lib Dem leader Michael Powell asked how long it would take for the plans to finally come to fruition.

But Cllr O’Brien could not give exact timescales citing “difficulties” due to other public bodies and private investment being necessary to progress.

Conservative leader Nick Jones asked why further studies suggested by the big four firm, such as an employment study, would be necessary.

He said: “The Deloitte report is quite a big report. It kind of states quite a lot of obvious things.

“I think now the council needs to press on with some of the suggestions.”

He was also told that the council does not yet have any further details about the new civic hub, what it would look like and where it would be.

After the conclusion of the consultation in August, a report will be brought back to the council’s cabinet with any necessary amendments in September.