Wymondham is preparing for a major town centre transformation following extensive public consultation, with over 3,000 residents contributing ideas to shape a more attractive, accessible, and vibrant environment.
The Wymondham Public Realm project, jointly funded by South Norfolk Council and Wymondham Town Council, aims to revitalise key public spaces, creating an enhanced experience for residents, shoppers, and visitors alike.
Cllr Lisa Overton-Neal, South Norfolk Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Growth, said: “Thank you to everyone who shared their views. South Norfolk Council has always supported our market towns and our aim is to create a vibrant town centre that will make people feel really proud of the place they live. A place where residents and visitors want to shop, meet friends and enjoy spending time.”
Based on community feedback, four priority areas have been identified for improvement.
Wymondham Market Cross Seating will be upgraded with improved seating and landscaping to provide a more welcoming and relaxing public space at the town’s historic focal point.
Fairland Hill Revamp will feature new planting, circular seating, and an accessible pathway to increase usability and visual appeal for all visitors.
Market Place Enhancements will include a widened pedestrian zone, landscaped raingardens, additional seating, improved crossings, and the potential introduction of a one-way traffic system to create a people-friendly environment that encourages longer visits and increased footfall.
Pocket Park / Parklet will be refreshed with new landscaping and seating, providing a peaceful green space while retaining cycle parking and minimising clutter.
The project is intended to support local businesses by encouraging people to spend more time in the town centre while making public spaces more attractive and inclusive.
Following the Stage 2 consultation, which received 1,795 responses via online and paper surveys, the results indicated strong public support for investment in Market Place and Market Cross, with these areas identified as having the greatest potential to boost footfall and dwell time. Church Street was recommended as a secondary, scaled-back intervention, while the Market Street Parklet was seen as meritorious but lower priority compared with the main improvements.
Feedback also suggested refining designs at Town Green, Fairland Hill, and Market Street Bus Stop to ensure wider benefits, and emphasised the need for a fully considered maintenance regime. Suggestions included partnerships with volunteers and local authorities to maintain the improvements.
The Working Group, composed of representatives from both the town and district councils, is now reviewing the consultation results alongside budgetary, legislative, and environmental constraints. This evaluation will inform the technical design and implementation phases, ensuring the most appropriate interventions are prioritised.
Next steps will include refining designs based on public input, assessing technical feasibility, and progressing towards planning and delivery of the improvements. The consultation process and results are available online for reference, providing a record of the community engagement that has guided the project.
