Recommendations Report - Southampton City Council

Transcription

East Street & Queensway
Neighbourhood Plan
Recommendations
Report
April 2015
1
Planning the
future of a
vital part of
Southampton
City Centre
Feria Urbanism is a planning and design studio that specialises in
urban design, urban planning, neighbourhood strategies, public
participation and community engagement.
Established in 2007, we have been involved in a diverse range
of projects across the UK and have developed key skills in
organising community engagement events that inform excellence
in design and planning.
Contact for further information
— Richard Eastham
—[email protected]
—www.feria-urbanism.eu
— + 44 (0) 7816 299 909
— + 44 (0) 1202 548 676
Document reference 122_Q_150428_FINAL. All maps within this
document are reproduced from the Ordnance Survey mapping
with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty’s Stationary
Office. © Crown Copyright. Southampton City Council Licence
No. 100019679, 2006.
Project Locator
50.901770 — 1.402202
Feria Urbanism April 2015
Contents
8 Project Purpose
12 Plan Area
13 Key Features
16 First Workshop
17 City Quarters
20 Access & Movement
22 Plan Boundary
26 East Street
28Summary
32Second Workshop
33 Priorities for Change
34 Creating Change
37 The Planning Toolkit
38 Shop Fronts
46Recommendations
53 Appendices
5
Purpose of the Project
Testing the appropriateness
of a neighbourhood plan for
Southampton City Centre
The primary purpose of this project is not to begin the
process of drafting a neighbourhood plan for the East Street
and Queensway area of the city centre but instead to test the
appropriateness of neighbourhood planning as a mechanism
and technique to deliver change in the area.
That said, the project, including several community
engagement tasks, has been structured in such a way as to be
useful to the local community should it wish to proceed and
formally begin the process of drafting a neighbourhood plan.
This work provides a sound platform to begin from.
The outcomes of this work will also help inform
Southampton City Council about issues that will need to be
addressed in the review of the Local Plan, considering the
future development and growth of the city up to 2036, which
was commenced in the summer 2014 and public consultation
is expected later this year.
6
East Street & Queensway Neighbourhood Plan
Project background
Project objectives
In 2011 two major business organisations,
This project has four key objectives:
(Business South and the Hampshire Chamber
of Commerce, Southampton) joined forces to
begin the process of preparing a
neighbourhood plan for the East Street and
Queensway area of Southampton City Centre.
A neighbourhood plan steering group
involving members from both business groups
and the City Council was set up.
Southampton City Council was successful in
bidding to the Department of Communities
and Local Government (DCLG) for some grant
funding to support a business-led
neighbourhood plan for the area of the city
centre around East Street and Queensway.
The business community wish to build on the
Council’s ongoing City Centre Master Plan
and City Centre Area Action Plan (CCAP)
1) To inform the local community in the area
about the benefits of a neighbourhood plan as
well as other means of achieving improvements
2) To record the issues that matter
3) To consider options for change in the area
that might be appropriate to be designated for
the neighbourhood plan
4) To test the potential level of support from the
local community that there would be for the
preparation of a neighbourhood plan.
What is a neighbourhood
plan?
work which incorporates proposals for
Neighbourhood planning is a community-led
significant, large scale developments over the
process introduced by Government to
next 15-20 years. Their intention is to prepare a
encourage local people to shape and influence
complementary and more detailed plan and
development within the places where they live
implementation programme for a key section of
and work. They are produced by community
the city centre. This could be by using a
forum groups or parish or town councils.
neighbourhood plan to formalise their
objectives. This project has therefore been
designed specifically to test the appropriateness
of this technique.
Neighbourhood plans are policy-based
community-led plans which correspond to the
Local Plan. In this case, the Local Plan is
prepared by Southampton City Council.
Neighbourhood plans can influence or allocate
new housing; produce design policies for
allocated sites or for general design policies;
protect or identify new community facilities;
and identify green spaces to be protected from
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any future development proposals and more.
The Government introduced the opportunity
Legal requirements
for local communities to prepare
Neighbourhood Plans must meet some legal
neighbourhood plans through amendments to
requirements as specified by law: must be
the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 and
appropriate having regard to national policy;
the Localism Act 2011 and through new
must contribute to the achievement of
regulations Neighbourhood Planning (General)
sustainable development; must be in general
Regulations 2012, which sets out the
conformity with the strategic policies in the
requirements for Neighbourhood Plans.
development plan for the local area; must be
compatible with human rights requirements
How do you prepare a
neighbourhood plan?
The first formal step in neighbourhood
planning is the submission of the proposed
and; must be compatible with EU obligations.
What is a business-led
neighbourhood plan?
neighbourhood area to the local planning
Under the Localism Act, as well as establishing
authority for designation. The following must
neighbourhood plans, where interest lies with
be submitted in the area application: a map
businesses rather than a Parish Council or
identifying the proposed neighbourhood area;
Town Council, a business-led Neighbourhood
a statement explaining why the area is
Forum can be established and a business-led
appropriate to be designated as a
neighbourhood plan can be produced.
neighbourhood area; and a statement
explaining that the body making the area
application (in the case of East Street and
Queensway case, a prospective neighbourhood
forum) is capable of being a qualifying body.
There are only two differences between the
more common residential-led neighbourhood
plan and a business-led neighbourhood plan.
The first is that business representatives have
got to be part of the neighbourhood forum to
Where there is no parish or town council, as in
make the plan. Therefore, business
this case, a neighbourhood forum of at least 21
representatives have to be constitutionally part
people must be formed for the neighbourhood
of the group making the plan, as well as being
area. This should reflect the “inclusivity,
proactive in its preparation. The second
diversity and character of the area” and the
difference is that the plan in its final form has
forum should include at least one person living
got to be subject to a referendum, not only of
in the area, one person working in the area and
residents that live in the area but there also has
one councillor. The forum will lead the
to be a separate referendum of the businesses in
development of the neighbourhood plan. An
the area.
application by the prospective neighbourhood
forum to be designated as the “neighbourhood
forum” for a particular neighbourhood area has
to be submitted to the local planning authority.
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Main issues identified
the boundary; Street events needed – e.g.
The workshop format used for this project
from West Quay; More parking and/or less
quickly identified a range of issues that were
expensive parking as a means to increase
considered important by traders and businesses
footfall; Better or more green space needed e.g.
in the area. It should be noted at this early stage
street trees, hanging baskets etc; Hanover
that not all of these issues are planning-matters
Buildings needs to be contained within the
that can be necessarily dealt with through
boundary; Large vehicles and service vehicles
neighbourhood planning. The main issues that
need to be restricted to certain areas or times;
emerged from the end of the First Workshop
Local universities should have greater
event were:
involvement e.g. shop front designs.
East Street needs the East Shopping Centre
This report shows how these issues were
through-route opening back up; Business rates
identified and how they were further tested in a
need reducing or better deals offered; Better
Second Workshop in order to develop
pedestrian environment needed e.g. pavements,
recommendations for a way forward.
markets/themed events to draw people away
signage and lighting; The old and historic parts
of Southampton need to be wrapped within
The Second Workshop held on 18.03.15.
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The Plan Area
6
4
5
1
3
7
2
7
The East Street 1 and Queensway 2 area of Southampton City
Centre lies immediately to the south east of city’s main retail
core and due east of the High Street 3. The urban context is
characterised by a series of small development blocks and some
larger single-footprint buildings, including the Debenhams
4
department store and the covered Bargate Shopping Centre 5.
There are also a series of narrow lanes and an eclectic mix of
architectural styles, with some handsome heritage buildings in
amongst more recent development. The area also contains
extensive sections of the medieval Old Town Walls 6 and the
Holyrood residential neighbourhood 7.
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Key Features
Extensive sections of Old
Town Walls are to be found
in the plan area.
The proliferation of metal roller shutters is felt to be
detrimental to the visual quality of the street scene.
The Bargate is perhaps the
Street life, such as pavement cafes, is limited along East
Street. This is due in part to the relatively narrow pavements.
How can this be reconciled with continued use of on-street
most recognisable building
in the city and lies within
the plan area.
car parking on both sides of the street?
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Narrow lanes, such as
This large, modern retail unit has been empty for some time.
Is this simply a consequence of the retail down turn or is it
Canal Walk, give the area
character.
the wrong size and shape for its East Street and Queensway
location in the city centre?
The Holy Rood church...
... and the listed Bond Store building are key heritage assets
in the plan area that give the place a sense of history and
permanence.
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Cycle access and parking
is not considered good
enough.
The Old Town Walls are not exploited in a positive way, with
the now closed Bargate Shopping Centre turning its back
on the walls. Any redevelopment proposal would need to
address the walls in a more positive manner.
The long view west along
East Street to High Street
conveys a sense of a
positive civic place.
On-street car parking and
one-way traffic on East
Street. Does the traffic
regime need to be looked
at again as part of a future
neighbourhood plan?
Queensway is wide and pedestrian crossing facilities do
not align with pedestrian desire lines. It is also felt that
Queensway “cuts off” the eastern end of East Street.
13
First Workshop
12.02.15 Mapping The Issues
The First Workshop was designed to gather the views of the
participants to create a list of issues that could be tested against
the neighbourhood planning technique. In order to do this, a
series of structured tasks were prepared, each to be completed
by small task groups in 20 minutes. These tasks explored the
following issues: City Quarters, Access and Movement, the
Plan Boundary Line and the details of the street scene along
East Street. The results of the group tasks began to show a
consistency regarding the issues of concern and provided a
useful set of ingredients for the Second Workshop.
The workshop
approach allowed
different views to
be expressed and
connections between
issues to be made
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City Quarters
What is happening
elsewhere in the city
centre?
In this task, participants were
asked to list the threats and
opportunities offered by
eight distinct quarters in the
city centre. The relationship
between these quarters and
the East Street and
Queensway area was then
explored. The questions
asked for this task included:
There follows a summary of the different
comments written against each of the city
quarters presented.
Station Quarter &
Commercial Road
Transport and car parking dominated; Access
via buses and trains; Multi-nationals are
present; New student block changing
identities; Above Bar and the market impact on
other shops; Better variety of goods and
produce needed; Farmer’s Market could help;
— what are other parts of the city offering?
No sign posts to East Street shops; Traditional
shopping area.
— what are (or what will be) the key focal
attractions in these other areas?
St. Mary’s
— how can East Street and Queensway
Small specialist traders; Rates are an issue;
differentiate itself from these areas?
— what makes the area unique?
— what can East Street and Queensway offer
that is different?
Needs dry cleaner; Vans parking up from
Debenhams can cause obstructions; Feels
cut-off from the rest of the city centre; Needs a
through-way to connect to city centre and
outer communities; Social connections to
Holyrood Estate; Visually unappealing, can
look shabby in certain areas.
15
Royal Pier
The Old Town
Draw tourists up through middle up towards
Historic part of Southampton going back 1000
Old Town and West Quay Watermark; Could
years; Market stalls and traders could be used
capitalise on waterfront area and views of
to draw customers and people to this part of
cruise liners; Waterfront walks.
the city rather than being immediately outside
West Quay; Old Town High Street should have
West Quay & Retail Parks
street parties/events/themed events on a
Unpopular for local people; Regional shopping;
that draws people in; QE2 Mile theme.
Sunday; Area can be a funky and quirky area
Mega shops are covered, bland and could be
anywhere; Not clear how West Quay
Watermark will affect things; Leisure centre of
the future with views to waterfront?
Oxford Street
Restaurants; Bistro & café culture; Real
‘European’ feel in evening with clientele sitting
outside.
Participants discuss what is happening elsewhere in the city centre.
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Bedford Place & London Road
Urgent need to open up a north-south route
Night time and independent shopping; Student
routes across the now demolished shopping
area; Small shops; High number of HMOs
centre cannot be reprovided.
between East Street to Capital House if the
(Housing of Multiple Occupancy).
Need for greenery and planting to the North
Cultural Quarter & Solent
University
East of this area onto St. Mary’s makes this a
Night time activity; New Arts Centre; Parks;
There is speciality shopping here right now but
Civic Centre; Open Space.
Based on these assessments, participants were then
asked to write down their thoughts about the
neighbourhood plan area.
East Street & Queensway
Neighbourhood Plan Area
nice place to be.
needs to be encouraged; Future redevelopment
of the Bargate Centre will have a huge impact;
The area could be to be quirky and return to its
roots, offering speciality shop like the Brighton
Laines or the Shambles of York — both
examples known throughout UK and major
attractions in their own right, something for
East Street to aspire to?
The area plays a “connecting role” binding
other areas together; Currently, these
connections broken; Urgent need to open up
closed end of East Street; Subway, Greggs and
Card Factory are as far as people go on this
street when arriving from High Street;
Relatively isolated to pedestrians and public
transport; Lack of signage and information on
tours; Approx. 60% vacancies, in part due to
high level of business rates.
East Street and Queensway Neighbourhood
Plan Area already has community facilities in
place (e.g. shops, community hall, cafes etc) and
these can be accessed from Royal Pier, Old
Town and Oxford Street. So it could become a
local hub for a city centre community.
Discussions about City Quarters. What
makes East Street and Queensway unique
within Southampton?
17
Access &
Movement
How people move about
Participants were asked to
use coloured sticky dots to
mark the issues associated
with the walking environment
and pedestrian access;
cycling access and cycle
parking; bus access and
walking links to bus stops; car
access and car parking; and
service access and deliveries.
Walking environment &
pedestrian access
York Walk/York Buildings streets allow access
between Hanover Buildings street and East
Street; East Street needs to continue its
through-access to the Evans Street; West Quay
has drained major footfall from High Street
and surrounding area; Route from Evans Street
and along Houndwell Place to Hanover
Buildings has replaced the blocked route from
Evans Street that used to lead straight onto
East Street; No direct route through to East
Street from St. Mary’s right now — a critical
issue; Make access route to High Street from
East Gate Street better known, between High
Street & Back Of The Walls; Closure of
Bargate Centre has resulted in loss of access;
Poor view down below Bargate therefore people
are not walking further South than Bargate, it
feels like a barrier at present; Potential for a
“mini green-park” on the corner of the Back Of
The Walls Street and Canal Walk; Provide
access through George Street to connect East
Street and Houndwell Place.
18
Cycling access & cycle parking
Car access & car parking
East Street needs to allow cycle access through
Need to reduce car-parking charges outside
to Evans Street; Need more cycle parking off
Debenhams on East Street; Parking for
Queensway near to the East Street/Queensway
Orchard Lane Church off Orchard Lane?;
junction; Cycle way to be introduced along the
Should there be parking between East Street
Evans Street; “Rice Up Wholefoods” — the
and Evans Street?; Only major off-street multi-
shop opposite Houndwell Park on Hanover
storey car park that remains is between
Buildings — is an eco-store but has no cycle
Eastgate Street and Back Of The Walls and
parking; we need a stand there! It is also at the
this has poor accessibility; Need to restrict
end of a major cycle route through the park;
access between East Street and High Street on
Opportunity for cycle parking on the corner of
a Sundays to allow for events; Enforce one way
the Back Of The Walls Street and Canal Walk;
through Strand Street and York Buildings.
Cycle parking at the multi-storey car park
between Eastgate Street and Back Of The
Walls; No cycle racks on the lengths of East
Street and High Street, just on the corners.
Service access & deliveries
Access for Debenhams on East Street? Open
up the back of George Street and use this for
Bus access & walking links to
bus stops
deliveries instead?; All space behind shops on
Bus stop outside West Quay Shopping Centre,
being used for deliveries as it should be;
all along Vincent Walk street and outside
Debenhams on Queensway; Not as many bus
East Street (on Strand Street) is taken up by
cars due to lack of car-parking areas instead of
Orchard Lane (residential) should be kept free
from goods and delivery traffic.
stops for those heading north as there are
heading south on Queensway, poor service
along this strip; Bus stop heading east just after
Bargate on Hanover Buildings; Bus stop
heading west just before Bargate Street and
Castleway Junction; Land train/circular bus
should be put in place just around the East
Street, Queensway and Back Of The Walls;
Poor bus service along Threefield Lane.
Workshop participants note down access &
movement issues.
19
Plan Boundary
High Street
There was a considered debate amongst
What area should be
considered?
participants about whether or not to include
both sides of the High Street inside the
boundary line. Most felt it should be within a
future plan boundary. This is an important
economic driver for the city centre with a
strong heritage element and will further
influence the plan area’s positive identity.
Other retail areas such as Debenhams and the
now demolished East Street Shopping Centre
Different boundary options
for the neighbourhood plan
were assessed by participants
and comments were recorded
on the appropriateness of
each option.
should also be inside the boundary line.
There was no single preferred option by any of
within the boundary was debated and there
the groups but the seven options presented
stimulated a debate on the merits of a wider
boundary or one drawn more tightly around
East Street and Queensway. There was a
general feeling that the key heritage assets, the
Hanover Buildings
The length of East Street should be included in
the plan in its entirety. However, only the
northern half of Queensway is considered vital
to the plan. Including Hanover Buildings
was a general consensus to include it as it is the
main entrance into the plan area quarter from
the parkland and the visual quality and
identity of the buildings along this street can
add to the plan’s identity too.
large footprint buildings, including
Debenhams and Bargate Shopping Centre
should be within the boundary.
Holyrood Estate
As a business-led neighbourhood plan, the
History & identity
inclusion of nearby residential areas (e.g.
The history of Southampton is very important
However, it was acknowledged that a key role
to the local community, visitors and tourists. It
provides a unique identity to the city of and
therefore many participants wanted the Bargate
and the Town Walls within the plan boundary.
20
Holyrood Estate) was not considered necessary.
of the plan will be to increase the number of
and improve the quality of connections
between the retail/cultural and residential/
community quarters.
The original boundary as
used for the grant bid:
Excludes Bargate Shopping
Centre; excludes the
Bargate and Holyrood
church; excludes East
Street Shopping Centre;
excludes Debenhams;
excludes western side of
High Street.
Wider area, to include
Debenhams:
church; excludes East
Street Shopping Centre;
includes Debenhams;
excludes western side of
High Street.
Including Debenhams
and East Street Shopping
Centre:
church; includes East Street
Shopping Centre; includes
Debenhams; excludes
western side of High Street.
21
Includes Bargate & East
Street Shopping Centres,
Debenhams:
Includes Bargate Shopping
Debenhams; excludes
Wider area, including both
sides of High Street:
Centre; includes the
Debenhams; includes
An eastwards focus,
excluding all of the High
Street:
Debenhams; excludes both
sides of the High Street.
22
A westwards focus,
including all of the High
Street:
Centre; includes the
church; excludes East Street
Shopping Centre; excludes
Debenhams; includes both
sides of the High Street.
Participants discuss the various boundary options at the First Workshop.
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East Street
What are the details that
matter?
A linear East Street “street
scene” photograph was
annotated with notes.
Workshop participants
were encouraged to write
down issues associated with
architectural quality, public
realm, ground floor land
use mix, use of the upper
floors, shop front design and
signage and any other notes
they felt were relevant to the
street and its future.
South side notes
Premier Stores is struggling; The “Tudor”
building next to Premier has been closed for 5
years (squatters) yet it is one of the oldest pubs
in Southampton; Shops between Orchard Lane
and Queensway seem to be the worst ‘hit’ as
most shops in this row have been closed for
some time; Snips on Orchard Lane is looking
to leave; Modern block of flats on the corner of
Queensway have been vacant for up to five
24
years and the architecture is “out of place”;
Canal Walk does not feel safe to walk along;
There is a need for better signage for the
multi-storey car parking; Multi-storey car park
is a big asset as it brings the footfall here; The
shops between Back Of The Walls and service
yard are well used by local residents and
diverse culture — maybe these could open
until late?; Outside Perry’s art shop; add flowers
in attempt to make area look better?; The “Old
Town” take-away is popular; Better lighting
needed as the street does not feel friendly after
dark; Business rates are too high; Need free or
cheaper parking in the evenings; The street can
appear architecturally and aesthetically
unappealing — maybe adding to heights of
existing “square box” buildings can make the
roofline more appealing?; Are there simply too
many shops?; Dress the lampposts with flowers;
More planting/trees along the street and
artwork in windows; Wider pavements; Make
Sundays special with events in the street;
Proliferation of metal shutters — makes it look
like we are we are under attack!
North side notes
Essential we keep Debenhams; Add Student
artwork on shutters; More student art — we
could be like the trendy east end of London;
We need to do something exciting on the
roofline; Section between Ladbrokes and
Subway has been closed for three years in
total — this building is shabby looking but
sets the tone for the rest of the street; Car
parking too expensive; Need better
pavements; Lorries and vans parking all day
in car parking spaces; Urgently need to open
up closed end of East Street.
Participants begin the annotate the East Street “street scene” linear photograph.
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First Workshop
Summary
The First Workshop revealed
a clear set of issues and
challenges, but not all of
them planning-related. These
issues were mapped against a
planning toolkit of different
techniques and mechanisms
to see which are best suited
to tackling the issues. Of the
ten priority issues identified,
seven could be addressed all
or in part by a
neighbourhood plan. See
table, page 37.
26
The main issues
& challenges
Subject to a capacity and
willingness within the
business community to
drive the project forward,
there could be merit in
developing a business-led
neighbourhood plan.
impact on other shops and do not provide
The simple act of bringing different businesses
transport. It is also a residential and retail area
together into the same room to discuss
popular with multi-nationals and students,
the things that matter to them created a
with another residential student block recently
willingness to collaborate and effect change.
added.
enough variety. There is no signage indicating
that shoppers should continue south to the
East Street shopping area, suggesting there is a
barrier between the two shopping districts.
To the west of Above Bar Street, is the Station
Quarter, considered the transport and access
hub for Southampton for all modes of
This momentum carried through to the
Second Workshop and it is hoped this can be
maintained once this project is complete.
City quarters
The north of the city centre lends itself more to
student life and those living in houses of
multiple occupancy. As a result, the area has
many independent, speciality shops and has a
vibrant night time economy. This is more
prevalent in the cultural quarter, with the
area’s art focus and the university quarter
surrounded by parks.
Heading south, along Above Bar Street, the
area becomes more focused on retail. However,
the temporary markets are having a negative
South of the station is where a “regional
shopping” quarter lies, where West Quay is
located. Due to its lack of positive identity and
awkward fit within Southampton’s urban grain,
many at the workshops felt this area is
unpopular with those in the local area.
However, the neighbouring leisure quarter has
the potential to excel and make more use of its
proximity to the waterfront.
To the east is the St. Mary’s Quarter,
comprising of residential and small specialist
traders. For the traders, business rates here are
an issue, as is the lack of easy parking. Goods
vehicle movements are also a challenge, with
large vehicles causing obstructions.
27
Visually the area is not considered to be
This has had a damaging result on the footfall
“sought after” but there are strong social
throughout the area which, combined with the
connections between here and the Holyrood
high level of business rates, has isolated East
neighbourhood. It was felt that there had been
Street and Queensway from the surrounding
a loss of footfall for the small traders in the St.
city quarters and damaged its economy.
Mary’s Quarter, due to closure of several local
car parks, including the one lost as part of the
East Street Shopping Centre demolition.
The area has a lot to offer with speciality shops
being the main attraction but adding more
public open spaces and connecting pedestrian
Travelling south along the High Street, the
routes to the streets here would make this
history of Southampton begins to emerge. This
quarter a destination and an area to walk
Old Town quarter is unique to the city and
through en route to other places and not an
should be celebrated more and made known
area that is by-passed.
throughout all of the surrounding quarters by
the provision of better signage and
information.
Events
Market stalls and temporary traders could be
The emerging Royal Pier quarter must
used in other areas of the city to entice the
capitalise on its waterfront areas and views of
public to visit more than just West Quay when
the cruise liners that come into the
they visit the city. The High Street should host
Southampton docks. There are waterfront
street parties and themed events on a Sunday.
walks that can be taken from the Royal Pier
This area is starting to become a quirky,
quarter through to the Oxford Street quarter
vibrant places that draws people in and East
where there is a healthy bistro and café culture.
Street should align itself with this.
New restaurants along the front should provide
a vibrancy in the early evenings with clientele
sitting out along the water’s edge.
Access & movement
Walking Environment & Pedestrian Access
The East Street and Queensway area has a
fundamental “connecting role” to play between
different areas of the city. However many of
these connections are currently broken or not
being used to their full potential. Car parks
have closed to the north and south of this area
and a through-route leading from East Street to
Evans Street has been shut as part of the East
One of the main issues at present is that the
view south down High Street from West Quay
is blocked from the north of Bargate and
consequently it is a barrier that detracts the
public from wanting to continue down the high
street. Another is the closure of the route
between East Street and Evans Street.
Street Shopping Centre demolition.
This closure has affected the shops and
businesses on the eastern end of East Street as
those accessing the quarter from the residential
28
and commercial areas beyond the Evans Street
A more frequent “circular” bus route providing
are travelling along Houndwell Place to
for the immediate quarters that surround East
Queensway and thereby avoiding East Street
Street and Queensway will enhance ease of
entirely. There are also many small connecting
access and improve footfall in the area.
links between major streets that are not well
known.
Car Access & Car Parking
If these were advertised better and opened up
The only major off-street parking provision for
more, the public may be more inclined to move
from street to street via this new network and
thus provide a higher amount of footfall and
business for the local shops.
Cycling Access & Cycle Parking
Houndwell Park is a major cycling route
cars is the Eastgate multi-storey car park,
between East Street and Back Of The Walls.
There has been a recent loss of off-street car
parking spaces in the local vicinity. This,
combined with poor pedestrian access between
quarters, has only served to increase the
convenience of other retail areas at the expense
of the East Street and Queensway area.
between the arts and local shopping quarters
and ends at Hanover Road. There is currently
no convenient parking for bicycles at the end of
this route and most of the East Street and
Queensway cycle parking appears to be
situated on corners and junctions. The closure
problem at the end of East Street needs to be
solved and a new cycle route provided between
Service Access & Deliveries
The delivery to shops along East Street is
currently quite difficult due to parked cars
taking up the delivery spaces on Strand Street
to the rear. This is a result of the lack of car
parking opportunities that are available around
the shopping and residential quarters.
East Street and Queensway.
Bus Access & Walking Links to Bus Stops
The front of East Street is also used as a
The bus services are lacking in stopping points
improve the issues of obstruction caused, one
for those trying to get to East Street but from
solution could be to allow delivery access
wider areas of the city to the major retail areas
through the back of the building via George
such as West Quay and Debenhams there is a
Street.
delivery vehicle destination for Debenhams. To
sufficient provision. This is causing issues for
locals as there are few convenient bus stops
allowing travel between residential areas and
independent retail areas.
29
East Street — the street itself
To improve ease of access, the narrow lanes
Workshop participants felt East Street has a lot
inviting and open. Pavements on the street
of potential however it is currently not being
need to be widened and have smoother
used to its maximum. Businesses on both the
surfaces. These works could include the
north and south sides of the street are lacking
inclusion of street trees and greenery and also
in footfall and as a consequence many shops
the use of artwork on vacant premises to
are closing and properties have remained
improve visual quality.
leading into East Street should be made more
vacant.
Better lighting could also bring a better visual
Rates for businesses are considered too high for
quality and safety after dark. East Street’s
the area and this is believed to be a key reason
architectural and aesthetical appearance is
behind the continuous change of businesses
considered to be generally unappealing and a
operating from single premise and also for the
workshop suggestion was to improve the
long periods that buildings are remaining
rooflines, allowing the street to take on a more
closed for. The loss of footfall has increased
visually-pleasing form.
further due to the closure of the East Street
Shopping Centre and the Bargate Shopping
Centre.
Keeping the multi-storey car park on Back Of
The Walls (Eastgate Car Park) open has
become an essential part of the street’s local
economy due to the footfall it provides. Free
parking here in the evenings has been
suggested as a way of bringing more locals onto
the street after dark.
This highlighted that there may not be enough
non-retail uses on the street e.g. cafes, food and
drink to make the street work after dark. This
link between free parking and more variety/
fewer shops could bring in a small and wellbalanced night-time economy to East Street.
30
Photographs of the workshop have helped
to record the collaborative atmosphere.
At the Second Workshop
participants were asked
to create a top ten list
of challenges to help
structure the work that
lies ahead
31
Second Workshop
18.03.15 Testing The Approach
The Second Workshop began by mapping the key issues
identified at the first event against a “planning toolkit”
to assess which techniques and mechanisms are best
suited to tackling the issues. Of the ten priority issues
identified, seven could be addressed all or in part by a
neighbourhood plan. This suggests that there could be
merit in the business community pursuing a
neighbourhood plan. The Second Workshop also asked
participants to prioritise the key issues into a top ten list,
to identify the potential make-up of a future
neighbourhood forum and look in more detail at shop
front design ideas.
The Second Workshop
was designed to test
the different issues
identified at the
first event against a
planning toolkit
32
Priorities for
Change
Creating a top ten
Participants were asked to
rank the issues identified at
the First Workshop into a
priority list, as follows:
07. Better pedestrian environment needed e.g.
pavements/signage & lighting.
08. Better or more green space needed e.g.
street trees, hanging basket etc.
09. Hanover Buildings needs to be included
01. East Street needs the now demolished East
Street Shopping Centre through-route opening
up once more.
within the boundary line.
10. The old historic parts of the area need to be
contained within the boundary.
02. Regular street events are needed – e.g.
markets and/or themed events to draw people
away from West Quay.
03. Large vehicles and service vehicles need to
be restricted to certain areas or times.
04. More parking and/or less expensive parking
as a means to increase footfall — following the
First Workshop parking tariffs were reviewed and
improvements introduced.
05. Local universities should have greater
06. Business rates need reducing or better deals
offered — following the First Workshop the traders
had a successful meeting with the Valuation Office
where it was agreed that rates would be reduced.
As with the First Workshop, the second
event considered each of the issues in small
task groups.
33
Creating Change
Participants were asked about the skills
and resources to be found in the area
Which are the organisations
based inside the boundary
line that could help drive the
changes needed?
Independent businesses and local traders; East
Street Trades Association; Landlords;
Chamber of Commerce; Communities — the
creative community?; Business Solent; No
Limits (charity for under 26 year olds), Oxfam;
Debenhams; Tesco; Argos; Lush; Maplins;
Costa Coffee; Star Hotel; Dolphin Hotel; Sweet
Market run by Kevin & Caroline; Travel
Lodge; Army Careers Office; Department for
Work and Pensions; Pure Gym.
Could representatives from this list of businesses
form the 21-person neighbourhood forum?
What skills and expertise
useful to a neighbourhood
planning group can be found
within the residential and
business community inside
the boundary line?
Students (should have a multitude of ideas and
skills); Adrian at McKenzies (website
maintenance); Kodak Shop (printing); “A
Space” arts organisation (design);
Southampton Chamber of Arts, a new arts
organisation (design); Scratch/Solent Credit
Union, a local charity relieving the effects of
hardship (finance skills); “No Limits”, young
person’s charity (volunteer networking);
Holyrood Residents Association (volunteer
networking); Various charity shops (volunteer
networking); Debenhams (finance advice,
publicity); Dolphin Hotel, Star Hotel
(accommodation, meeting space); Perry’s
(printing and design).
The range of skills is impressive and provides a good
resource to draw upon should there be a decision to
progress a neighbourhood plan.
34
What are the landmark
buildings and uses inside the
boundary line that could
anchor regeneration?
The Bargate; Old Town Walls; Holyrood
Church; Some of the oldest hotels in the city;
Old brewery; The Anchor Pub, the “Tudor”
building on East Street); the Bargate Shopping
Centre regeneration; Southampton Central
Hall; Debenhams; Eastgate Car Park, the areas
only off-street car park but this needs to be
better linked to East Street.
There was a feeling that the city’s historic
landmarks can create a memorable image for the
plan so they need to be inside the boundary line.
How should the area engage
with its neighbours
immediately outside the
boundary line?
General discussion at the Second Workshop.
Need to consult Holyrood Residents
Association on all plans even if they reside
outside the boundary line. Events – e.g. street
market at lower East Street; Events such as
“night markets” with the Continental market
already meeting and trading on Fridays in High
Street can help bring communities together.
There was a general consensus that the Holyrood
residential neighbourhood should reside outside the
plan boundary but should have “associate status”
(or similar) given its proximity to East Street and its
potential network of volunteers. It needs to be
Consideration of the plan boundary.
consulted on all key decisions.
35
Other issues raised at the
Second Workshop
There is a need to include both sides of High
Street in the plan boundary, there is no sense
Start with small steps, perhaps one or two fun
initiatives that bring people together, and take it
from there. ”
The planning toolkit
in just improving a section of the street; There
is a need for better lighting throughout the area
Mapping the key issues identified at the first
and especially near parking areas to make
event against a “planning toolkit” helped to
pedestrians feel safer in the early morning/late
assess which techniques and mechanisms are
evenings; A need to “positively exploit” the
best suited to tackling the issues. Of the ten
Old Town walls with activity e.g. public sitting
priority issues identified, seven could be
areas, seating and cafés — the wall is currently
addressed all or in part by a neighbourhood
exploited negatively and used as a dumping
plan — see table, right. This suggests that there
ground for waste; There are too many physical
could be merit in the business community
barriers into the East Street area at present — it
pursuing a neighbourhood plan, all subject to a
is a street of under used buildings and streets
capacity and willingness within the business
with the few “live” areas slowly being eroded;
community to drive the project forward.
Vehicular access should be restricted and
pedestrian activity increased; The East Street/
Queensway crossroads are not pedestrian
friendly and this divides East Street; Many
people do not know that east of Queensway is
still East Street, this area should become
completely pedestrianised; If Southampton is
offering more student accommodation, the city
should exploit this and encourage extra
involvement into Arts projects from students.
Community building
One participant in the workshops raised a valid
point about community building and the
capacity within the local business community
to drive the project forward. The use of small
hands-on projects in building capacity was
advocated: “The focus should be, not on the
physical plan, but the change that is made in terms
of perceptions of the area and the vibe i.e. the sense
of this being a place where interesting stuff happens.
36
“What is the capacity of the
local community to deliver this
plan. How will people work
together and who would lead
on this plan?”
The Planning Toolkit
ACTION or ISSUE
TOOLKIT MEASURE
Land use policy through
01
East Street needs the East Shopping Centre
Neighbourhood Plan and Local
through-route opening back up.
Plan policies. Influence at
planning application stage.
Business rates need reducing or better deals
02
offered. See note on page 33 about successful
Outside of land use planning.
meeting to reduce business rates.
03
04
05
06
Better pedestrian environment needed e.g.
pavements, signage & lighting.
Neighbourhood Plan and Local
Plan policies on traffic, public
realm and signage.
The old and historic parts of Southampton need
Neighbourhood Plan boundary
to be wrapped within the boundary.
issue.
Street events needed – e.g. markets/themed
Community Action Plan with
events to draw people away from West Quay.
Southampton Council support.
More parking and/or less expensive parking as
Street scene and streetscape
a means to increase footfall. See note on page 33
policies through Neighbourhood
about reduction in parking tariffs.
Plan; Local Plan policies.
Identify local green spaces
07
Better or more green space needed e.g. street
trees, hanging baskets etc.
through Neighbourhood Plan
and Local Plan policies; local
community green group to
maintain/upkeep.
08
09
Hanover Buildings needs to be contained within
Neighbourhood Plan boundary
the boundary.
issue.
Large vehicles and service vehicles need to be
restricted to certain areas or times.
Traffic and transport policies
through Neighbourhood Plan and
Local Plan policies.
Business partnerships with
10
Local universities should have greater
Universities, either directly
through University outreach, or
with Council enabling.
37
Shop Fronts
What could happen on
East Street?
The First Workshop identified the lacklustre appearance of
many of the shop fronts along East Street. In response, the
Second Workshop presented a black and white sketch
drawing of the street and participants were encouraged to
draw onto this their ideas for change.
“East Street should
look to create a
scheme that ‘paints
your shop for you’
using communities,
children, young
people, families
and universities all
coming together to
paint the street”
“Simply continuing
existing colours
around corners
instead of just
different blocks of
colour will improve
a street corner
immediately”
“East Street should
relate its future
style to its
medieval and
historic
importance. There
should be a fusion
between old and
new”
Simple ideas for a brighter street were presented at the
Second Workshop to stimulate debate.
38
— quotes from the Second
Workshop.
“East Street has
always been full of
independent
businesses and
people and the
colours and style
of the street need
to reflect this. East
Street should not
look corporate”
Painting the street
A series of photographs from other places
around the world showing different
approaches to shop front design were given
out to workshop participants; these images
are shown on pages 40 to 45. These ideas
helped inspire participants to draw on the
base sheets some early ideas of their own,
using blocks of colour to enliven a street
scene that was described as being dull or
uninspiring at the moment. See appendix
on page 53 for a copy of the detailed of the
comments as recorded onto the black and
white base drawings.
39
Shop Fronts
Inspirations shown at the
Second Workshop event
Street art and bold designs
using just two colours.
Painted shop front for a
A literal interpretation of the shop type (e.g. book shop)
through a painted exterior. San Francisco, USA.
shop that supplies paint.
London.
Traditional shop front design with bold typography indicating
the type of goods and services, not the business name.
40
A modular architectural addition to a traditional shop front
using a single bold colour creates a small scale landmark in
the street scene. Lisbon, Portugal.
The use of painted optical
illusions can add interest
and delight to the street
scene. Madrid, Spain.
Multi-coloured light tubes,
hung internally, creates
visual interest at night and
a curtain-like screen by day.
This shop front design takes the traditional chalkboard
display often found behind the counter in a cafe and attaches
it to the outside to create visual interest through typography.
New York, USA.
41
Three-dimensional artistic additions can give a street a distinctive character. Camden, London.
Dark, matte colours and simple street number can add a
classic look and give a street an “up market” look.
The impact can be heighten by applying the technique to a
cluster of three adjacent shop units.
42
Wrapped in the flag, using
painted brickwork to create
a distinct identity. London.
Use of street art techniques on a high-end homewares
boutique. Miami, USA.
Temporary scheme to test
new pavement details and
coordinated shop front
designs. Riga, Latvia.
Coordination of shop front design and outdoor furniture can
create a slick, integrated look to the street. Colours and styles
could be extended to other elements of street furniture.
43
Painted apartment blocks. Sao Paulo, Brazil.
Coloured building facade
coordinated with a new
shop awning.
Bright, multi-coloured graffiti can enliven blank walls.
Monochrome graffiti with limited extra colours added.
44
Painted patchwork details.
Philadelphia, USA.
Bold, big blocks of colour on old buildings. Philadelphia, USA.
Horizontal bands on a tall corner block. Philadelphia, USA.
A restrained palette limited
to red, white and blue in
some areas; grater variety
elsewhere. Philadelphia,
USA.
45
Recommendations
What needs to happen to take the
project forward from here
This project has helped establish the list of key issues facing
businesses in the East Street and Queensway area. These have been
mapped against the neighbourhood planning legislation and this has
revealed that over half the issues could be addressed through a future
neighbourhood plan. However, the process leading to a finished
neighbourhood plan can be up to two years and many issues need to
be addressed more quickly than that.
46
Ten tasks to
deliver change
It is recommended that
ten different tasks are
undertaken by the business
community to fully gauge the
level of support for the plan
and to also effect short-term
change in the plan area.
Should the completion of these ten tasks
demonstrate a willingness for change and a
capacity to get involved, then progression to a
properly constituted 21 person neighbourhood
forum and a defined plan boundary can follow
(see Recommendation 11).
Southampton City Council can provide
support during the initial ten task phase in the
form of the following: mapping data; aerial
photography; land ownership plans (including
any landlord data); interpretation of planning
laws and regulations; advice on traffic orders,
event permits and road closures; and support
for a community-led development brief.
Should the 21-person neighbourhood forum be
neighbourhood plan groups. The remaining
neighbourhood planning grant will be used to
support the business community in
consideration of these tasks and any further
projects, subject to available funds.
Maintain the momentum
The practical design-led workshop format used
during this project appeared to create a positive
atmosphere amongst participants. At both
workshops, especially the second event, there
was an energy and a sense of enthusiasm for
the project and for the change it could bring
about. It will be vital to maintain that
momentum if volunteers are to remain
energised about the project.
Recommendation 01 — Utilise the workshop
format for future meetings as often as possible.
Create hands-on tasks that will keep the project
moving forward and catalogue the range of issues
that matter, together with potential solutions. A
series of “ordinary” meetings are unlikely to excite
and involve people in the same way.
constituted at a later date and the boundary
agreed, the City Council will then be able to
offer further help through its “duty to support”
47
Keep it collaborative
The First Workshop began this process but a
The workshop format was delivered around a
by a meeting in a cafe to compile the results
number of small task groups each working in a
will be an important part of building the
collaborative manner. It will be vital to
evidence base for a future neighbourhood plan.
practical “street tour” in good weather followed
maintain collaborative environment will be
vital if a decision to pursue a neighbourhood
plan is taken. While only completed short task
during the workshop, these can provide a
model for future working.
Recommendation 03 — Draw up a list of practical
exercises that the different task groups can
undertake. These should all be fun but useful and
help build strong working relationships between
different businesses in the area.
For example, small “task and finish” groups
working on publicity, volunteering or street
audits. While a neighbourhood forum needs 21
people to be properly constituted, this need not
meet monthly, perhaps quarterly at most. In the
meantime, as series of tasks groups, reporting
to an overall Steering Group could be an
efficient working model to adopt.
Shop fronts
There was much enthusiasm for the ideas
surrounding shop front renewal. There were
varied opinions at the Second Workshop about
the appropriate response, with some preferring
a subdued series of dark colours and simple
typography to take the street “up market” (see
Recommendation 02 — List out a series of task
page 42, middle and bottom) while others felt
groups around key issues. For example, street scene,
that bold, bright colours (see page 44) would
empty shops and publicity and PR to name three.
create the fun and funky impact that East
Find volunteers to populate each group. Form a
Street really needs. Further work on the right
Steering Group, of maximum seven people, drawn
from members of each of the individual task groups
to oversee their work, including a local ward
member and officer from the City Council.
Keep it practical
The task groups need to be given practical
projects to undertake and deliver. These
projects should be fun and help build capacity
amongst the volunteers. Example projects
could include a walking audit of the East Street
and Queensway area, noting down on a map
the specific issues affecting parking, access,
empty shops, street clutter and so on.
48
Rec. 04/05 — Shop fronts/Empty Shops.
design approach is required and also to explore
methods of funding the preferred
improvements.
Recommendation 04 — Form a Shop Front Task
Group, to explore in more detail the units most
suited to a colourful or new interpretation and to
identify funding opportunities. Engage with local
architects and students. The effects are best felt
when a cluster of two or three shops are given the
same treatment, rather than individual shops
scattered along the street. Use the blank base
drawings to record ideas.
Rec. 07 — Temporary events e.g. parking day.
Empty shops
In a similar way to the shop front design task,
or combined as part of this work, undertake a
review of the vacancy rates along East Street
and Queensway. This work should be recorded
in map format and updated regularly.
Recommendation 05 — Develop an empty shops
audit map, plotting down the empty units and
keeping this updated. Identify the landlords and
leaseholders and link the map to a potential list of
new users and occupiers.
Rec. 09 — Resident engagement.
Community-led development
brief for the East Street
Shopping Centre site
impasse is because the develop has gone into
Working with the City Council, local traders
local traders to influence the form, scale and
and business owners should be encouraged to
prepare a simple development brief for the
former East Street Shopping Centre site. The
centre was demolished to be replaced by a new
super market that would have created a new
administration and the super market will now
no longer be built. This is an opportunity for
layout of whatever comes next through a
community-led development brief. This can
ensure that the opening up of a through-route
as part of the new development is a mandatory
part of any new development proposals.
pedestrian route to Evans Street. The current
49
Recommendation 06 — Agree with the City
Recommendation 08 — Establish a pool of student
Council a methodology, scope and format for a
volunteers to help with a variety of tasks, in
development brief to inform the redevelopment of
particular artistic and creative works, including
the former East Street Shopping Centre site.
shop front designs, and digital tech.
Temporary events
Resident engagement
There was a desire expressed at the workshops
to see more temporary events, like night
markets, food markets and other events that
add street life and vibrancy and can drive
footfall. These events can also differentiate the
area from other more “corporate” parts of the
city. Using initiatives such as Parking Day,
when on-street parking spaces are filled with
fun things like table-tennis, astroturf grass and
picnics and games areas, is a good way to test
out low-cost initiatives.
Recommendation 07 — Begin to draw together a
list of low-cost, easy-to-organise temporary events
that can enliven the street. Start small with a view
to larger, more complex events happening later.
Seek support from the City Council if road closures
or event permits are required.
University collaboration
Businesses working more closely with the two
city universities can bring in fresh ideas and
greater volunteering power. The East Street
and Queensway area lies close to many student
residential areas and there is a good fit with
many of the projects needed in the area.
Students today are always looking to improve
their CV and set themselves apart from their
peers in the job market and should be willing
and free partners to work with.
50
As with the student engagement, consideration
should be given for how local residents at
Holyrood are involved. While not likely to be
inside the plan boundary, as the most
immediate residential neighbourhood they
need to be consulted on all proposed projects
and policies.
Recommendation 09 — Ensure Holyrood
residential neighbourhood has a seat at the table in
all future discussions and project plans.
Digital & online presence
The workshops used traditional media or pen
and ink to draw up ideas on paper plans. This
is still a vital part of the design process and is
an effective way to engage people in the
process. This now needs to be supplemented
with an online presence, including the use of
social media, to help engage more people and in
different ways. For example, the blank street
scene drawing could be posted on line a
become an interactive tool for experimental
shop designs. The use of tech-savvy students or
other local groups will be vital here.
Recommendation 10 — Start to think about many
of the ideas and projects can transfer to an online
portal but always supplement these with a real
world presence where people can meet and interact.
extent of the plan area. Once complete, work
on the formal neighbourhood plan policies can
begin, building on all previous projects and
good work undertaken by businesses.
Recommendation 11 — If there has been a
demonstration by the business community of a
willingness for change and a capacity to get
involved, then progression to a properly constituted
Type title here
1
EAST STREET + QUEENSWAY NEIGHBOURHOOD PLAN
10 to
Above Bar
26
1
6 9a
21 person neighbourhood forum and a defined plan
Church
PH
78
Ogle House
Telephone
Multistorey
5a
Exchange
Car Park
4
PC
Shelter
5
Shelters
Voluntary Centre
3
69
76
to
72
17
Chy
1
14
PCs
6 7b
Final Boundary Option
Ele ct ricity
Su b-Station
Shelter
12
10
PH
12
boundary should follow.
67
Geothermal Pumping Station
Shelter
25
1
2.5
Shelter
3
23
4
8
9
65
1 to
12
13
63
Depot
61
6 0 to 6 6
Wider area, including both sides of High Street
20
59
17 1
8
West Central
16
includes Bargate Shopping Centre
includes the Bargate and Holyrood church
includes East Street Shopping Centre
includes Debenhams
includes western side of High Street
19
10
16
20
56
56
14
58
58
•
•
•
•
•
1 6 to 1 8
8
16 a
49
21 to 25
PCs
38
Pavilion
Shelters
West Quay Shopping Centre
36
35
Roman
35 to
Rec. 10 — Digital presence.
Landing
37
34
33
Post Office
31
32
1 9 to 29
30
20
26
24 to
Shelter
Surgery
1
The Dauid Moxon
Annexe
12 to
16
City
Wall
1
13
2
3
House
7 to 9
11
6
Shelters
1 to
9
Superstore
32
30
28
27
26
to
4
10
12
Ha ls o f Residence
2 3 to 2 5
2
16
18
20
Formation of a
neighbourhood forum &
agree the boundary line
19a
19
18
16
21
Hanover House
8 to 1 3
8
2
(Art Gallery)
Capella
Shelter
House
7
Club
12
Multistorey Car Park
18 2
16
PCs
Hamwic College
91
Multistorey
Car Park
Halls of Residence
Bargate Shopping Centre
Landport House
Queen's Buildings
89
to
87
7
lter
180
She
5
179
T he
85
Royal O ak
Roof Car Park
9
17 3 to 1 78
8 1 to 83
Shelte r
Ca pital House
(PH)
10
Warwick House
77
43
44
12
4
3
1
Masonic Hall
5
5a
6
7
14
25
22 23
21
19
17
8
45
46
51
1 71
Bank
85
81
78
86 to 88
89
91
11
1 70
92
75
Church
1 00 to 102
1 03
104
10 5
10 6a
10 6
93
East Street Centre
113 a
108
114
121
117
PH
10 7
Bank
Roof Car Park
1
9
1 to 19
65
12
10
Carnival House
165
168
8
57 to 59
The Gallery
Bank
Ocean House
Church
3
57
92 to 93
East Street Centre
13
Roof Car Park
5
6
5
House
Church
14to2 3
Ocean
to
7
79
S t Fr
ancis
11
7
House
15 to 21
3
12
2
Fairbridge Centre
Ocean House
21
4
22
3
5
9
28
10
14
55
8
4
1
Cerb erus Ho use
9
21
15
17
16
Lansdowne House
Old Bon d
Ppg Sta
43 to 47
30
19
41
Gracech urch
1 55
1 to 2 1
Ho use
U nit
26
39
Hou se
All Saints
Palme rston
House
27
33
29
31
151
61
10
18
24
1 to 1 5
25
29
1 to 21
39
57
21
27
15
50
49
14
30
41
40
13
Club
Biddlesgate
53
35
13
Depot
58
16 to 3 0
Court
46
to
31 to 3 2
17
36
1 to 2 1
Ironside Court
44
47
19
21
41
1 to 12
Wessex Hou
House
se
15
19
Chandos
Bank
1 to 66
The Quays Swimming & Diving Complex
Garage
El Sub Sta
Eldo n House
48 to 54
13 to
15
1 to 15
34
37
Dolphin Hotel
16 to 30
137
El Sub Sta
50
M
27
72
28
to
47
5
2 5 to 35
1
23
35
7
30
Car Park
1 to 6
20
eld House
70
6
24
to
House
Saxon Gate
1
House
7
24
16
Queens
Multistorey
T he Star Ho tel
to
34
Castle
T hreeh
3
24
40
1 to 1 5
1 to 16
Bank
26
Depot
in doing so, have revealed an enthusiasm for
25
Depot
or at least undertaken to varying degrees, and
12
Stor e
1 to 4
Factory
King 's Ho use
13
The Cottage
24
22 to 23
If all previous tasks have been either completed
1
Bank
Hill House
( PH)
1to8
Orchard House
45
7
136
Canute
Units 1 to 4
35
(PH)
32 to
42
St James
Dolphin Lodge
The Endeavour
House
House
3
1
1 to 3 4
36
El Sub St a
9
1 35
8 to 40
10
37
56
35 to 48
Postern
11
20
12
13
19
18
14
15
17
16
St Cross
House
Wheatsheaf House
132
Court
133
Royal
Court
15
Thomas House
1 to
7
26 to 31
16
5
22
11
130
13 1
23
Hotel
1 to 3 4
St Michael's
39
Church
28
30
35 to 48
32
6
4
2
6
1
12 6
4
1 to 8
3 to 5
42
50
100
76
St Berna
rd House
12 5
House
70
8
59
0
1
48
Woollen Hall
Presby
St Nicholas
Holyrood
projects that can bring about change, then
Hotel
to
No 8 Gate
1 23 to 1 24
T albot
Cou rt
43
32a b
RC Chu rch
63
6 5 to 69
Bug le St Da y
Centr e
83
ace
1
10
9
1 20 to 1 22
1
6
51
85
2
3
the City Council.
114
Jessie T err
4
boundary line can be agreed and submitted to
3
neighbourhood forum. Once constituted, a
ate
1
to easily switch over to a new status of formal
1 12
La timer G
49
established and have a track record of delivery
1 02
1:2500
Depot
48
Group should now be sufficiently well-
47
The individual task groups and the Steering
46
forum.
to
59
formation of a full 21 person neighbourhood
metres
Castle Mews
Club
Anspach
43
45
55 t o
Based on Ordnance Survey material with the permission of the Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Crown Copyright Reserved.
Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Southampton City Council License No 100019679, 2006.
Gateway House
61
Vicarage
www.feria-urbanism.eu | February 2015
consideration should now be given for the
Church
24
Mem orial
31
Depot
1 to 6
collaborative working and a momentum for
Rec. 11 — The preferred boundary at the
end of the Second Workshop. This area
includes Bargate Shopping Centre, the
Bargate and Holyrood church, the East
Street Shopping Centre, Debenhams and
the western side of High Street. It is the
same as Option 5, as presented at the First
Workshop, see page 22. It is recommended
that this boundary line is used for any
future neighbourhood plan area designation
application.
The range of temporary projects and initiatives
(e.g. shop fronts, markets, street audits etc.) will
by now have given a much clearer steer on the
51
Appendix 01
Street scene
observations as
recorded at the
Second Workshop
53
East Street
North Side
Drawing Key
High Street
Themed or Painted Brickwork
Better lighting
throughout East Street.
Level pedestrian pavements & bring
some of the design qualities of the French
Quarter of Southampton into East Street.
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
55
East Street
North Side
Drawing Key
Bargate Shopping Centre
Opportunity for 3-D sculptural artwork
Opportunity for 3-D sculptural artwork
Temporary road closures on Bank Holidays &
Weekends to allow for events to take place
e.g. Artist’s Market
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
57
East Street
North Side
Drawing Key
Queensway
Improve aesthetics to match the high quality
of new development throughout the city e.g.
Allow upper floors to become
Vinyl details in windows
Sainsbury’s in Portswood
residential, if not already
Paint shutters with interesting artwork.
Place chairs, tables and synthetic
Host events e.g. Farmer’s markets & hog roasts
ground cover outside of the cafe and
temporarily remove the parking bays.
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
59
East Street
North Side
Drawing Key
Windows with large street
Queensway
numbers & typography prints.
Buildings along East Street need to become landmarks for the future
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
61
East Street
North Side
Drawing Key
“Bar-on-Wheels” e.g. a Pimm’s Bus
providing covered and outdoor
seating at special events.
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
63
East Street
South Side
Drawing Key
Local artists design each shop
Local artists design each shop
Orchard Lane Church
front individually
front individually.
(behind) could be a vital part
Orchard Lane
of a future forum.
Open up the through-route between
Colour coordinate the whole of East Street
East Street & St. Mary’s Street
to entice and encourage footfall to both ends of the
street e.g. a Rainbow Street.
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
65
East Street
South Side
Drawing Key
Queensway
Orchard Lane
Themed or Painted Brickwork
Link East Street back to its medieval usage in both
style and function e.g. a route through to a
Farmer’s Market
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
67
East Street
South Side
Drawing Key
Queensway
Canal Walk
Bring the blocks together by including
Brighten up the facia with colour
and continuity from other themed
shops e.g. continue the adjacent
theatre’s musical theme.
upper-storeys into the design and style of
Theatre theme
the street level development.
e.g. first floor facia in
the style of a top hat.
Illuminated sculptural 3D artwork to brighten up and
enhance narrow passageways
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
69
East Street
South Side
Drawing Key
Back Of The Walls
Link the upper-storey of this block via a
continual pattern of different coloured
window panes & brick columns
Pavement art & green urban gardening
Art installations in empty units
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
Place chairs, tables and synthetic
ground cover outside & temporarily
remove the parking bays
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
71
East Street
South Side
Drawing Key
service yard
High Street
Blocks of colour
East Street could become a pedestrian-only zone
over the longer term, with service vehicle access
permitted only at certain times.
QUICK FIXES
ART INTERVENTIONS
STREET WIDE
PUBLIC EVENTS
73
Appendix 02
List of Workshop
Participants
75
Workshop 01
12.02.15 Participant List
Adrian Ford — McKenzies Furniture
Bob Jackson — Perry’s
Christina Mullins — Nick’s Restaurant
Colin McDonald — Pack Send
Daniel Moses — Lucid
David Alford — Valuation Office Agency
Eric Gilbert — Valuation Office Agency
Gail Fletcher — Perfection Bridal
Guy Pierson-Hagger — Goadsby Commercial
Cllr. John Noon — Southampton City Council
Kate Thompson — Business South
Kay Brown — Southampton City Council
Kevin Shovelar — Sweet Market News
76
Lynda Walton — Holyrood Residents
Association
Nick Batt — Pink Broadway
Paul Davies — Pink Broadway
Peter Monckton — Studio 13
Phil Tyler
Ray Mullins — Nick’s Restaurant
Rebecca Kinge — Solent Renewal
Rob Drummond — Solent Credit Union
Sandra Mullan — High Street Café
Trevor Thorne — Future Southampton
Dawn Heppell — Southampton City Council
Workshop 02
Lee Button — Central Hall
Asadillah Qudeq
Bryan England — The Glass Lady Ltd.
Daniel Moses — Lucid
Farideh Maleki — The Fish Station
Jennie Norris — The Glass Lady Ltd
Association
Paul Davies — Pink Broadway
Peter Monckton — Studio 13
Philip Turner — Southampton University
Rob Drummond — Solent Credit Union
Sandra Mullan — High Street Café
Wendy Bennett — Southampton City Council
Kevin Shovelar — Sweet Market News
77
Recommendations
Presentation
Association
Tatiana Sanches — University of Southampton
Dragos Olar — Perry’s
Cllr. John Noon — Southampton City Council
78
Wendy Bennett — Southampton City Council
Philip Turner — Southampton University
Lee Button — Central Hall
Farideh Maleki — The Fish Station
Siva Pillay — Big Breakfast Cafe
Questions asked after the Recommendations Presentation
Q: Could students receive academic accreditation for helping the traders prepare a plan?
A: Yes, they probably could but somebody will need to check with the relevant institution, either
University of Southampton or Southampton Solent University to confirm this.
Q: Is there an existing map of the empty shops?
A: No, but this is something the traders group could prepare and keep updated and would be very
useful for the plan process and understanding the ‘health’ of the area generally (see Recommendation
05 on page 49).
Q: What would it cost the Council to open up the Bargate Shopping Centre car parking whilst
developers are undecided with what is being done with the land?
A: The Council does not own the car park so cannot open it up. As there are no pedestrian links
from the car park other than via the shopping centre, which is now closed, the car park would
require physical modifications to be opened up safely while the main shopping centre remains closed.
Q: Who would the individual contacts be going forward? Any future Steering Group need access to
contact names within the Council who can help.
A: The Council can provide the names and contact details for different officers in the Council with
responsibility for parking, design and planning and so on. Kay Brown (kay.brown@southampton.
gov.uk or 023 8083 4459) can provide this information.
Q: Who will be allowed to vote in any future referendum?
A: Should a future neighbourhood plan get as far as examination, the independent examiner will
decide on the geographical area that defines who gets to vote on the plan. It is highly likely this area
will be wider than a red line for the plan because of the importance of the East Street and
Queensway area for the whole city.
Q: A neighbourhood plan that takes two years to prepare is too long. The businesses represented in
the room may not be here in two years’ time. What can we do?
A: This is why the recommendation in the final report set out a series of quick, small-scale actions
and tasks that traders can be getting on with now. These actions and tasks will all start to build
capacity within the group and help develop an evidence base for a neighbourhood plan later on,
should this be pursued.
79
Q: How can the Council help the promotion of street events, that can help bring people in and
increase footfall along the street?
A: The Council can provide advice on the procedures for road closures and events permits. It is
recommended that the traders come to the Council with some fairly well-defined plans that the
Council can respond to rather than just a general enquiry. The Council will support traders on this
but please note it has limited resources. It is suggested that East Street traders talk to other groups in
the city who have previously run events , such as in Bedford Place, to learn about how they did it.
Q: Does the Council have the power to stabilise the economic/trading conditions in the area? Help is
needed in the short term so we can stand on our feet over the longer term. At the moment everything
is declining rapidly.
A: Matters concerning the general state of the economy, even in a very local area, is not something
the Council can directly influence.
Q: Why has nothing been done to open up a closed shop to give potential businesses a taster of
having a shop on East Street? Eateries especially.
A: Most of the land and property on East Street is controlled by private landlords and unfortunately
they have not been represented at the workshop events to listen to these concerns.
Q: How do we go about the issue of solving the problems that are not planning matters, for example
business rates?
A: There has already been positive action on this issue, as a direct result of the collective action that
was a result of the first workshop event. So this is already starting to show that a group working
together around a shared vision will be extremely helpful. The recommendations in the report are
designed to help strengthen collective working and the further development of a shared vision.
Q: [In response to the suggestion that a school has been proposed for the East Street Shopping Centre site]
The redevelopment of the site is vital to East Street and the last thing we need is a school, we need a
supermarket or large retailer. It needs to be a feature or landmark and needs to generate footfall along
East Street.
A: Maybe the school will bring with it many more people e.g. parents at pick-up and drop-off and
events held in the school in the evening? The issue is need for increased footfall not necessarily the
need for another retail anchor. That said, the site could be large enough for a primary school plus
other uses so perhaps new retail units could be part of the mix.
80
Q: A Steering Group would be relatively easy to set up but then the Steering Group needs a point of
reference to give us some guidance. Who can this be?
A: If a Steering Group is formed, it can then ask to meet with Council officers (for example, highways
officer) and get advice. Furthermore, both Richard Eastham and Antonia Morgan of Feria Urbanism
(urban design, urban planning and community engagement) and Guy Pierson-Hagger of Goadsby
(commercial property and town planning) have offered to provide the traders with some consultancy
advice and support free of charge.
Q: We need councillors and officers, people who have some weight in their position to advocate
the process further to the point that just a Steering Group alone would not be able to. We need a
passionate supporter not someone who just does the minimum because it is their duty to do so.
A: The Council does care about the situation in East Street but its resources are increasingly
stretched and there is only so much it can do.
Q: Is it possible for landlords to be fined for leaving a property vacant for a certain amount of time?
A: No, it is not possible.
Recommendations Presentation held on 22.04.15.
81
Q: The parking charges on East Street are much higher than the parking spaces just around the
corner of the street. Why is this?
A: There has already been positive action on this issue, as a direct result of the collective action that
was a result of the first workshop event. So this is already starting to show that a group working
together around a shared vision will be extremely helpful. The recommendations in the report are
designed to help strengthen collective working and the further development of a shared vision.
Q: Is there a real danger on focusing on the neighbourhood plan? It may take the fun out of the
immediate changes available. Let’s just focus on the events and individual shops for now and get
some fun in the street.
A: Agree that focus on events and small-scale projects is an immediate priority (as set out in the
recommendations) but the traders should not loose sight that the lessons or outcomes of these events
could be useful inputs to a future neighbourhood plan. If the opportunity presents itself to create a
legally binding plan that supports a sustainable long term future for the area, then it should be
seriously considered. The concept of immediate, small-scale events and a longer term plan are not
mutually exclusive.
Q: The problem is that there are several different departments within the Council and they do not
join together e.g. those dealing with car parking are interested in revenue and revenue alone. How do
we overcome this?
A: Any Steering Group needs to present a coordinated plan about what it wants to do, even if just in
outline form and the Council can then start to support this across all its departments. The traders
have to prove as a group that you are prepared to do this work. If you do, then a Neighbourhood Plan
could progress.
82
General comments made during the question and answer
session following the Recommendations Presentation
“We have artists approaching us months in advance asking if our shop windows can display their work. We do
not have the space but there is an empty shop next to us that could more than accommodate for this and
nothing is able to be done currently. We need access!”
“It seems that the ‘rules’ on tenancy need to be revised as currently it appears that the Council would prefer to
close a unit rather than give leniency to late, partial rent or rate payments.”
“The initial grant from the government was for the community to take the lead so it is up to the traders and
businesses as a community to take this forward. There is around £8,000 left in the budget from the initial
grant and this can be used by traders in a responsible way to progress the recommendations in this report, or
other actions as appropriate.”
“There is student funding and finance available for those willing to involve students and work alongside them
on any interventions for or within East Street and Queensway.”
“We need to foster the creativity of individuals, students and small businesses within the area and support the
implementation of their work. Is there the enthusiasm the drive and the momentum for change?”
“If we can create, organise and deliver small, fun events then new fund-raising and sponsorship opportunities
will become apparent. Companies or organisations that want to be associated with such events will start to
come forward.”
“We [the businesses] are all important to each other, we need to support each other!”
83
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Recommendations Report - Southampton City Council

Transcription

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