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Engaging young people in the planning process of a new town development
Themes:
Young people and communities
Sustainable communities and place making
Housing
Planning
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Focus:
Engaging young people in the planning process of a new town development |
Background:
Northstowe will be the largest new town development in the country. Located 10km north-west of Cambridge it will be at the centre of many well-established rural villages. Due to start in 2008 and complete in 2028, the intention is 4,800 new homes will be completed by 2016 in order to meet Government set targets. Overall it will provide 8,000 new dwellings, 120,000 square metres of employment, a town centre, four local centres with associated amenities, open space and community facilities.
South Cambridgeshire District Council commissioned Shape East, the architecture and built environment centre for Cambridge and the East Regions, to carry out a period of public consultation with young people as part of the early community engagement work for the new development. Through local schools and community groups, over 100 young people aged between 14 and 18, currently living on the fringes of the development took part. The aim was to find out their own and others’ views on, needs and priorities for the new development. |
What happened:
Through facilitated workshops and site visits, the young people were introduced to the context and given opportunities to think about what they thought the future residents of the new town would require. They considered what facilities and spaces, now and in the future would be needed. Concepts and ideas relating to place making were explained, they were introduced to model making and how towns are designed and planned. They reflected on their current contexts to consider what makes a successful community.
The young people developed their own schemes, and presented their views on and priorities for Northstowe. They addressed quality of life, sustainability issues and community liaison and development needs for all ages. They highlighted the need for well-kept green spaces, leisure and sport facilities, affordable housing and good reliable public transport links so as to avoid isolation and to cut down on car use. They wanted environmentally friendly buildings, access to alternate energy sources and a variety of styles of architecture and buildings so as to create a distinctive identity. They highlighted the need for a variety of shops selling local produce to avoid the domination of supermarket chains. |
Who was involved:
Shape East
Funders
South Cambridgeshire District Council |
The difference it made:
The outcomes of the community-wide consultation has provided South Cambridgeshire District Council with valuable data on specifications for what will make Northstowe a successful place. The results will inform the Community Development Plan and be included as part of the 106 Planning Agreement. It also provided an early means of engagement with the local communities who will be most directly affected by the new development and the young people who are potentially the future residents of Northstowe.
The process has generated a better sense of understanding and ownership for an otherwise abstract concept. The young people gained real insight into the purpose and need for a new town as well as the design and planning processes involved, and an introduction to associated careers. The outcomes of the consultation report prompted fierce debate amongst local councillors on specific issues such as sustainable forms of transport. |
What they said:
“The community consultation with young people has been invaluable in finding out their views and opinions on the proposed new town of Northstowe. The value of community consultation cannot be underestimated, as it gives members of the community a chance to put forward their own opinions and suggestions based on their own knowledge and experiences. Thank you for a consultation event that was enjoyable, interesting and informative for everyone who took part in it.”
(Community Development Officer, South Cambridgeshire District Council) |
Future possibilities:
Shape East plan to continue to develop their collaboration with South Cambridgeshire District Council and be involved in future consultation with the local communities directly affected by the development of Northstowe |
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More information:
www.shape-east.org.uk
www.gallagherestates.co.uk/cambridgeshire.php
www.scambs.gov.uk/Environment/Planning/NewDevelopments/Northstowe |
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themes
regeneration
design quality and innovation
planning
sustainable communities and place making
young people and communities
climate change
housing |
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