HEBDEN BRIDGE DELIVERING A SUSTAINABLE RENAISSANCE

CONTENTS

Ò Definitions of ‘sustainable community’ Ò Does Hebden Bridge fit a sustainable

community model? Ò Areas identified for improvement Ò Methods of delivery Ò Conclusions

WHAT IS A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY?

Ò  AA wweellll--iinntteeggrraatteedd mmiixx ooff ddeecceenntt hhoommeess of different types and tenures to support a range of household sizes, ages and incomes

Ò  FFlleexxiibbllee bbuuiillddiinnggss – both individually and collectively – that can meet different needs over time, and that minimise the use of resources;

Ò  AA ssaaffee aanndd hheeaalltthhyy llooccaall eennvviirroonnmmeenntt with well-designed public and green space;

Ò  AA fflloouurriisshhiinngg llooccaall eeccoonnoommyy to provide jobs and wealth; Ò  SSttrroonngg lleeaaddeerrsshhiipp to respond positively to change; Ò  GGoooodd ppuubblliicc ttrraannssppoorrtt and other transport infrastructure both within the

community and linking it to urban, rural and regional centres; Ò  GGoooodd qquuaalliittyy llooccaall ppuubblliicc sseerrvviicceess, including education and training

opportunities, health care and community facilities, especially for leisure; Ò  AA ddiivveerrssee,, vviibbrraanntt aanndd ccrreeaattiivvee llooccaall ccuullttuurree, encouraging pride in the

community and cohesion within it; Ò  EEffffeeccttiivvee eennggaaggeemmeenntt aanndd ppaarrttiicciippaattiioonn by local people, groups and

businesses, especially in the planning, design and long-term stewardship of their community, and an active voluntary and community sector;

Ò  AA sseennssee ooff ppllaaccee;

DOES HEBDEN BRIDGE MEET A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY MODEL?

Ò  Lack of affordable housing and a mix of tenures; Ò  In-flexible buildings, both residential and commercial; Ò  Poorly designed green space; Ò  Little economic diversity and inadequate access to better paid

jobs; Ò  Unsuitable parking and access arrangements at peak visitor

times; Ò  Minimal formal leisure facilities which are accessible to all; Ò  Worsening social cohesion, little cultural diversity and lack of

pride within certain sections of the local community; Ò  Weak leadership unable to temper and steer public opinion; Ò  The ‘public interest’ has become a force for conflict opposed to

progress;

METHODS OF DELIVERY

AFFORDABLE HOUSING Ò Moratorium on residential development Ò Exception policy for affordable housing and

‘self-build’ projects Ò Strong emphasis on sustainable building Ò Land to be identified through revised SHLAA Ò Establishment of Community Land Trust

FLEXIBLE BUILDINGS

Ò Live/work units, flexible work spaces, mix of business and retail use.

Ò Sites to be developed with flexibility in mind, and suitable for a range of different uses over time.

Ò Full review of all vacant sites within the town, including assessment of commercial, industrial and business sites, including the rationalisation of sites where appropriate.

GREEN SPACE

Ò  Improve the green space offer in the town by delivering spaces which are better designed

Ò Focus on flood zone areas which are unsuitable for alternative uses

Ò Review, consultation and rationalisation of existing areas; i.e. football pitch, bowling green, skate-park etc.

Ò Connect green spaces through existing linkages

IMPROVE ECONOMIC DIVERSITY

Ò  Improve access to better paid jobs Ò Deliver new work spaces for small and medium

sized businesses to flourish Ò  Initial focus on existing renewable sector in the

town Ò Develop linkages to affordable housing and self

build policy to accelerate growth of the knowledge economy and improve local competitiveness

PARKING AND ACCESS

Ò Alleviate parking issues and reduce traffic levels Ò Develop park and ride scheme Ò  Introduce bike hire scheme Ò Develop secure bike storage facility in the town Ò Utilise existing infrastructure, i.e. canal tow path Ò Promote accessibility of town via public

transport

FORMAL LEISURE FACILITIES

Ò Deliver formal leisure facilities if suitable land resource can be identified

Ò Sites likely to be small, therefore large scale development impractical; however, every little helps!

Ò Consider out of town projects, potentially in partnership with adjacent conurbations, to deliver leisure facilities for a wider community

SOCIAL COHESION

Ò  Improve discourse between different sections of the community

Ò  Increase profile of under-represented groups Ò Develop a sustainable community plan which is

achievable and easy to become a part of Ò Promote the Community Land Trust as a shared

interest and ensure proportional representation at board / committee level

STRONGER LEADERSHIP Ò Strong leadership which responds positively to

change Ò Local leadership which supports development

which meets the needs of the community, not the wants of the community

Ò  Improve dialogue with more active members of the community, and better involve less active members

Ò Win the debate that ‘doing nothing’ is no longer a viable option

CONCLUSIONS

Ò There is a need to act sooner rather than later Ò A cohesive community plan is of key importance Ò Be pro-active not reactive Ò Despite the clear land supply issues the town

ddooeess have the necessary resources to secure its sustainable future, so long as novel and alternative development solutions are considered