PLANS to transform one of Flintshire’s biggest towns are gathering pace.

Members of the public can now have their say on a draft development brief for Buckley, which will act as a guide for developers on what to take into account when working towards the town’s masterplan.

Buckley masterplan provides the broad framework for the town, while the brief provides the vision and planning context for the ‘preferred option’ development of the town’s precinct site.

Cllr Matt Wright, Flintshire Council’s executive member for regeneration and tourism, said there had already been a lot of interest from developers in the masterplan.

He said: “By having a masterplan, the council and the community can plan ahead and ensure developments are integrated into a town in a thoughtful way.

“It is clear Flintshire Council should continue to develop plans to accommodate a new high quality town centre development in Buckley.

“This brief is a step closer to delivering a quality extension to Buckley town centre which will complement the existing town centre whilst improving the shopping facilities for the local community.

“The release of the draft brief for public consultation provides the community with yet another opportunity to influence this vision for the indoor precinct and precinct way.

“I hope very much that the community will take this opportunity to express their views on the brief.”

It is expected the consultation will lead to the brief being adopted and used alongside the development plan to assess future planning applications.

Planning requirements to be considered and addressed as part of the precinct site include the relocation of the war memorial to a new civic square at the heart of the town centre and the relocation of public toilet provision.

The possible relocation of the library, museum and community training facilities to new modern purpose-built accommodation which could also include a council one-stop-shop are also part of the plans.

The brief will be available for comment until September 23 at 5pm and can be found on www.flintshire.gov.uk

- If you have any comments on the content of the draft Buckley Development Brief submit an online enquiry at www.flintshire.gov.uk or in writing to: Buckley Development Brief, Andrew Farrow, Head of Planning, Environment Directorate, County Hall, Mold, Flintshire.