Vision / Background

The Bridgwater Challenge is a public-private partnership established in 2008 to drive and shape the town's future.

A Board was created and made up of the following organisations: Bridgwater Chamber of Commerce; Bridgwater College; Bridgwater Industrialists; Bridgwater Town Council; the Environment Agency; Sedgemoor District Council and Somerset County Council.

In 2009 the Board commissioned a detailed analysis of the issues and opportunities from planning and landscape consultants Gillespies, which was tested and refined by a consultation process that involved many hundreds of local people.

The subsequent report – Bridgwater Vision – sets out a regeneration framework for the town, demonstrating how the town's environment will meet the highest 21st century aspirations of its people and businesses.

The Board has concentrated on shaping existing development proposals so that they are consistent with the 'Vision', which is built around a thriving town centre, a transformed river frontage and attracting new, high-skill, jobs.

We are now in a stage focused on attracting new investment to generate the jobs and prosperity that underpin the regeneration of the town.

Invest Bridgwater focuses on business investment and growth, town centre development, cultural development and promoting the town.

The Vision - Strategic and Consultation Documents

The Vision sets out a regeneration framework for the town, demonstrating how the town's environment will meet the highest 21st century aspirations of its people and businesses, making the Bridgwater of the future an even better and more exciting place in which to live, work and invest.

Many thanks go to all those who have contributed to this Vision: the Challenge partners, the town's schools and college, the members of the public who gave their views at the drop-in consultation events, the local businesses that contributed at stakeholder forums and the consultant team led by Gillespies.

The Bridgwater Vision Summary Report (available to the right) is the result of a detailed analysis of the issues and opportunities, commissioned by the Challenge Partnership from its consultants, Gillespies.

The Invest Bridgwater website is sponsored by Magnox South.