PLANS to turn Chequers Court in Huntingdon into a vibrant shopping destination will go before Huntingdonshire District Council cabinet today (Thursday). Two options have been presented to the cabinet, with civic spaces for public art, wider walkways and a

PLANS to turn Chequers Court in Huntingdon into a vibrant shopping destination will go before Huntingdonshire District Council cabinet today (Thursday).

Two options have been presented to the cabinet, with civic spaces for public art, wider walkways and a multi-storey car park among the proposals.

The existing Chequers Court buildings - described in the planning brief as "tired and obsolete" and which made the cover of a book called Crap Towns, though Huntingdon was not listed inside - could be overhauled to attract new retailers to the town, depending upon the cabinet's decision.

The two plans were exhibited to the public in November and December.

The more extensive of the two plans would see the creation of three open public spaces, with a civic square near the post office, a renovated Chequers Court space and an improved Newtons Court off Huntingdon High Street.

A new retail development would replace the old Chequers Court buildings with the aim of attracting competing traders and turning the town into a thriving shopping destination.

The existing car parks would be redesigned and combined with a multi-storey car park accessed by a new ring road junction.

The second scenario is development on a smaller scale, with building work restricted to around the existing Chequers Court buildings and a car park redesign, but this plan could be used as the first phase of full redevelopment.

A statement in the planning brief by the Civic Trust Regeneration Unit said the regeneration of Chequers Court was necessary to help "reinvigorate the town centre shopping experience".

INFORMATION: See www.huntsdcgov.uk