Project Type: Community Regeneration including shopping centre
Client: North Hertfordshire District Council
The purpose of this consultation was to ascertain the needs and views of the local community with regard to their estate and, in particular, the Ivel Court Shopping area, in order to devise and undertake an improvement programme for the latter.
The Jackmans Estate is situated on the Eastern edge of Letchworth, Hertfordshire close to the A1(M). It was designed and built in the 1960s on the Radburn principle of pedestrian / vehicle separation and comprised approximately 2,700 homes. 1,100 properties were in Local Authority ownership and the remainder were privately owned. The pedestrianised area comprises the shopping centre with flats over, a community centre, library and a public house (which was empty at the time of the consultation).
The main aims of the consultation were to determine the problems that residents and businesses felt they experienced on the estate as a whole and to determine the specific problems regarding Ivel Court Shopping Area and, then, to ascertain their wishes in regard to solving them. A Steering Group, made up of local residents and Local Authority officers was formed to assist in the “Planning for Real” process.
Four events were held during April 2001 and a total of 878 suggestions were put forward. The main areas of concern were – crime and safety, environmental and leisure issues. As many were in relation to Ivel Court itself, it was apparent that the overriding issue was crime and community safety here. In addition, many people were concerned that the shopping area looked unwelcoming and needed improving.
The improvements to Ivel Court shopping area, and the estate in general that were ascertained from a meeting to discuss the Report at the end of the PfR process, were mainly cosmetic to improve the look and “feel” of the area and to make it more welcoming and inviting to visit. However, it was determined that these, and the other recommendations, would take more money than was available at the time and would need to be phased over a period of time. Central to these improvements would be the changing of the landscape so that other improvements could follow.
CLIENT FEEDBACK - 2003
As a result of the Planning for Real process a £200,000 external refurbishment of the shopping area has commenced. A development brief has been written, which is now at feasibility design stage, which is hoped will lead to a complete re-development scheme. This is all happening with the involvement of JIG (Jackmans Improvement Group), a new Tenants Association which was formed following the successful PfR exercises.
Ron Lister – North Hertfordshire DC
For more information about this contact NIF on 01952 590777 or email admin@nif.co.uk
