Talks on the regeneration plans for Grangemouth centre are progressing.

Falkirk Council and development partners Miller Ltd (parent company to Winex Services) are progressing the drafting of the regeneration contractual agreements.

Following extensive consultation, Grangemouth residents, businesses and local groups approved the revised masterplan.

The revised plan incorporates ideas put forward during the consultation by local people and groups including the Community Council and the Town Centre Development Group which includes elected members, local retailer businesses and community representatives.

Community organisations are kept updated on progress every two months through The Grangemouth Town Centre Development Group comprising local community representatives, the Community Council, Local Members, council officers and representatives of the developer.

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A recent meeting of the Group received a presentation from the Director of Development Services on health and safety aspects requiring to be considered carefully as the masterplan proposals progress.

The multi-million pound regeneration proposals will include: an 50,000 sq ft foodstore, new library and museum, new council offices in York Square, revamped shops with shopping precinct areas better traffic management and environmental improvements.

Councillor Alastair McNeill, Chairman of Grangemouth Town Centre Group, said: "Putting everything in place for a major regeneration project like Grangemouth takes considerable time and care. The development agreement is a critical and important phase of any regeneration scheme and complex legal aspects have to be taken into account.

"Despite the economic downturn, Falkirk Council and the developer remain firmly committed to the regeneration project and we look forward to making progress soon once all necessary legal matters are resolved to all parties satisfaction."

Efforts to maintain trading during the economic downturn are also being made with workshop for the retail community held delivered in Grangemouth Town Hall.

Town Centre Management Ltd continue to liaise with the Grangemouth Retailer Core Group and the Community Council to finalise forthcoming activity in the town centre for 2009 to encourage local shopping in the town centre.

(GK/JM)