High Streets Heritage Action Zone

INITIAL PROPOSAL

PART 1: GENERAL DETAILS 1.1. LEAD APPLICANT DETAILS a) Dorset Council b) Hugh de Iongh c) Community led Development Officer, Economic Development d) South Walks House, South Walks Road, Dorchester, Dorset DT1 1UZ

e) 07786 125038

f) [email protected]

1.2. SCHEME DETAILS a) Blandford Forum, Dorset b) Blandford Forum Conservation Area c) Historic England South West Regional Office d) Dorset Council e) Blandford Forum Town Centre

SECTION 2: ESSENTIAL CRITERIA ESSENTIAL CRITERIA QUESTION APPLICANT TO CONFIRM 2.1 High Streets HAZs must be in a Have you included conservation area evidence to show that your YES, APPENDIX 1 Proposed High Streets HAZ is in a conservation area? 2.2 High Street HAZs must be delivered Have you included through a partnership, and include evidence of commitment YES, the Local Authority as a partner (The from partners to your LOCAL AUTHORITY IS local authority does not need to be proposed High Streets LEAD PARTNER, AND the lead partner, but there needs to HAZ (e.g. signed letters of APPROVED BY EXEC be evidence of their commitment to support from senior DIRECTOR FOR PLACE the initiative). representatives)? AND CABINET PORTFOLIO HOLDER 2.3 High Street HAZs must be delivered Have you included with demonstrable support of the evidence of support from YES, APPENDIX 5 local community the local community for your proposed High Streets HAZ (e.g. assessment of community support, letters of support from community bodies)? 2.4 High Streets HAZs must be capable Have you included YES of delivery (scheme completion) in evidence that your four years (April 2020-March 2024). proposed High Streets HAZ is deliverable within a four- year period (e.g. a high level programme)?

SECTION 3: SUPPORTING INFORMATION A. THE PLACE 3.1 PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE YOUR PROPOSED HIGH STREETS HAZ AREA AS IT IS (750 WORDS)

Heritage ‘The centre of Blandford forms one of the most satisfying Georgian ensembles anywhere in England; not only was it rebuilt in a single campaign, but there is a distinct architectural flavour about the whole, the basic uniformity of design and materials being relieved just enough by spirited individual touches.’ (1) There can be no stronger endorsement of the heritage significance of the town centre than this from the nationwide Pevsner Architectural Guides.

As historic background, the town centre was rebuilt after the majority of the town centre was destroyed by a fire in 1731, which gives the cohesive architectural style.

Heritage At Risk Blandford Forum town centre contains 138 listed buildings (inc 8 Grade 1 ), and is within a Conservation Area (Appendix 1). However, this town centre Conservation Area is on the Historic England Heritage At Risk Register, considered as Condition ‘very bad’, Vulnerability ‘low’ and Trend ‘deteriorating’, and with 6 buildings on the Buildings At Risk Register (2). Furthermore, a comprehensive survey by the Blandford Historic Buildings Trust in 2018 (Appendix 2) identified 14 buildings in the town centre in a deteriorating condition and needing significant work. A Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan is being prepared for the town centre area, with local input, but is still at a draft stage.

The Town For the purposes of this EoI we are using the Town Centre boundary (Appendix 3) as set out in the Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan 2, 2017. The town centre comprises the main Market Place, with a number of streets which run into and out of the Market Place, (East Street, The Plocks, Sheep Market Hill, Salisbury Street), reflecting the original medieval town layout.

Although the town centre presents a fine visual classical façade, and there has been focused work on a few key buildings (see Qu 3.11), many of the buildings need proper stewardship to stop ongoing deterioration, with significant works needed to the buildings identified in the Blandford Historic Buildings Trust survey, and minor works to many other buildings.

The town centre also has a high number of independent businesses, but a number of the shop fronts themselves detract from the overall ensemble, being of poor quality and not reflecting common design and colour principles.

In the Market Place itself, there is currently a Square, framed by buildings of outstanding architectural merit which surround a short-term car park with 16 spaces. Whilst of use for ‘pop-in shopping’, the parking detracts from the façade, and also uses space which could be better used as public space.

The paving in the town centre is also problematic, with the paving material used from a previous scheme having become slippery, and problems with Utility contractors using tarmac to replace areas dug up.

Town centre economy Blandford Forum, population 11,000, is the principal service town in North Dorset, with a wide catchment area. There are 186 retail businesses in the town centre, comprising a range of retail offer similar to the national average, but including a high number of independents, seen as a strength. There is a vacancy rate of 6.5% units/ 10.8% floorspace (3). There are markets on Thursdays and Saturdays (a Charter Market, dating back 800 years). There are two supermarkets on the edge of the town centre, and two out of town supermarkets. There is considerable traffic through the town centre, despite the bypass.

Social aspects In social terms, Blandford Old Town Ward (the town centre) is disadvantaged, being the most deprived ward, under the IMD, in the old North Dorset area. Unemployment is statistically low, but so is the average wage with many on zero hours contracts and part-time work. The Blandford Food Bank supports people from the town centre.

Why investment is needed now The HSHAZ programme has come at a very opportune time. This proposal is locally led, with support from Dorset Council. Blandford Town Team, Blandford+ Neighbourhood Plan Group and Blandford Forum Town Council have been working together to develop proposals with the primary aim of improving the central part of Blandford and particularly the Market Square, a long term aspiration. There is other ongoing heritage conservation work on specific buildings (see Qu 3.11) but this funding provides the opportunity to take a comprehensive approach.

Notes: 1) The Buildings of England, Dorset, Michael Hill, John Newman & Nikolaus Pevsner, 2018 edition. 2) BAR Register https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning/planning- constraints/listed-buildings/pdfs/nddc-buildings-at-risk-register-part-one-a-r.pdf 3) Joint Retail, Commercial and Leisure Study 2018, Carter Jonas https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/north-dorset/local- plan-review/pdfs/north-dorset-local-plan-review/evidence-base/final-report-20.03.18-v2.pdf

3.2 PLEASE BRIEFLY DESCRIBE, WITH EVIDENCE, THE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL OF THE HIGH STREET/TOWN CENTRE (750 WORDS)

Economic The town centre should be the ‘go to’ place for residents; however the Carter Jonas survey 2018 (1) showed that although residents visit the town centre because it is close to home, many indicated there was nothing in particular they liked about the town centre. The development of two out-of-town supermarkets and online shopping mean that fewer people use the town centre, in line with national trends. In the 2014 Town Team survey (Appendix 4), residents reported a high level of dissatisfaction with the variety of shops in the town. It is also apparent from conversations that many travel to nearby Wimborne, which has a much more attractive town centre. So the first objective is to encourage existing residents to use the town centre more.

Secondly, there are some significant developments planned on the outskirts of Blandford, and the town centre needs to be ready to attract the new residents.

Thirdly, as the town centre improves, it will be able to bring in more people from its wide rural catchment area.

Finally, the historic town centre should become a destination for tourists who appreciate Georgian

architecture, a small but knowledgeable market. For example, there is a local project developing a tourism app explaining local history and architecture, with Blandford as one destination.

o achieve this, the town centre needs to provide a more positive ‘experience’; developing an area of public space, by pedestrianising the Market Square parking area, would provide an attractive venue for better and more varied markets, including locally produced and sustainable food and other products, and for other events and activities. This will help the many retailers, including a significant number of independents, to benefit from the increasing footfall, and become more resilient.

Social There is no real public space in the town centre apart from the pavements. The creation of a proper public space has the potential to create more of a gathering area, making it easier for people to mix and meet, both informally, and as part of cultural and other activities. This can both strengthen community activity, and help reduce social isolation. The provision of more seats in the town centre, as recommended by the Carter Jonas report (1) can also help reduce social isolation, particularly as the Old Town ward has a high level of deprivation.

Many of the shops have poor disability access, and the pavements are increasingly difficult to navigate with broken slabs and tarmac. The project has the potential to make the town more accessible, both through grants for retailers re accessibility, and improving the pavements.

Cultural There has been considerable work to revive both the markets and cultural and social activity with events at the Corn Exchange (the town’s historic town hall - which is in the process of refurbishment and remodelling). A group of organisations (Town Museum, Corn Exchange, St Peter’s Church) have organised joint events in the past, but a lack of public open space has been a constraint. So there is potential to develop a new cultural programme, through existing and new events, which will bring more people into the town centre.

There is also the potential to create a cultural cluster in Bere’s Yard, with the Town Museum, Victorian Garden, a proposed Theatre and a building recently become vacant.

Part of the culture of the town is the historic town centre, and a Blandford Town Team survey (2014) showed the town architecture scored 4.4 out of 6, so there is clearly an appreciation of the heritage.

Conservation Reducing the number of historic buildings in need of restoration and repair will improve the appearance of the town centre and make it a more attractive destination. Increasing the footfall will in turn encourage a greater variety of shops and stimulate economic activity.

Longer term Infrastructure improvements, with the pedestrianisation of the Market Square parking area, will reduce traffic congestion and vehicle idling, improve traffic flow and encourage motorists to park in nearby public car parks. Reducing traffic congestion in the town centre will improve the environment and encourage people to walk into and gather in an attractive and vibrant town centre. This has worked in nearby Wimborne, and many other locations. So although this may be a first step for Blandford, there are aspirations to work towards more pedestrianisation in the longer term, through traffic modelling, etc.

1) Joint Retail, Commercial and Leisure Study 2018, Carter Jonas https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/north-dorset/local- plan-review/pdfs/north-dorset-local-plan-review/evidence-base/final-report-20.03.18-v2.pdf

B. YOUR PROPOSED HIGH STREETS HAZ 3.3 PLEASE BRIEFLY OUTLINE YOUR PROPOSED HIGH STREETS HAZ, THE SCHEME AND HIGH-LEVEL VISION FOR THE HIGH STREET STREET/TOWN CENTRE. THIS WILL NEED TO REFER TO THE CHALLENGES AND POTENTIAL REFERENCED IN 3.1 AND 3.2 (750 WORDS MAXIMUM)

The sustained and successful stewardship of Blandford Forum’s highly valued town centre heritage, and of the individual buildings themselves, is inextricably intertwined with the health of the town centre economy. But the town centre’s built heritage is ‘At Risk’ because of the deteriorating condition of some of its listed buildings due to lack of investment and the undermining of its attractiveness to both residents and visitors. There is an overwhelming need to improve the experience of place for everyone and create a more viable town centre which in turn will encourage owners to maintain their buildings and bring new business into the town.

This locally led vision is to develop a vibrant and viable town centre which highlights the architectural heritage to reinforce the strong sense of place.

This project will improve the town centre through:  a comprehensive approach to the development of a more vibrant and viable town centre economy, by: o Developing an enhanced programme of markets, events & activities on the market area to create a more positive ‘experience’ within the special town centre character o Improved public realm to enhance the streetscape, comprising: . pedestrianizing the market area to support more events and activities . repaving the town centre pavements . more seating in the town centre o Developing a small new cultural cluster around an existing museum and new theatre where there is potential for further development

 supporting the stewardship of the town centre and individual buildings through a Conservation Grant Scheme, in tandem with enforcement work.

This is all within the context of a number of existing initiatives (e.g. restoration of the Grade I listed St Peter’s Church and Corn Exchange), but would be a comprehensive approach and a step change in the development of the town centre as a whole.

Supporting the town centre economy More markets, events & activities To bring more people into the town centre, by creating a more positive town centre ‘experience’, this project will build on the current markets which currently use the Market Square parking area, and develop new events and activities, in conjunction with the Town Council and the many voluntary and community organisations which are part of the vitality of the town. This will need a part time Events Co-ordinator, which is part of the project.

Improved public realm This will be achieved through two main projects:  pedestrianizing the market area to support more events and activities. This area is currently used for short stay parking, with the parking closed when the market is operating. If this area is fully pedestrianised, it will create a public open space which can be used for more markets events and activities, which both creates economic benefits, and also a high quality environment that is safer and more inclusive, in line with the Streets for All guidance. This is also a first step in the aspiration for a more pedestrian friendly town centre, with long term possibilities of remodelling the traffic flow in the town centre.

 Repaving the town centre pavements. There have been problems with the existing pavement, slipperiness, slabs broken by delivery lorries driving on the pavement, and Utility companies replacing slabs by tarmac after works. Dorset Council Highways have researched alternatives, with the best option being an asphalt imprint material, which is safe, load bearing, can be replaced like with like after works, and its texture and colour selected to suit the heritage context.  There will also be the provision of more seating.

Cultural Cluster. There is a small area, Bere’s Yard, behind a Grade 1 listed building, which currently has the existing Town Museum, Victorian Garden and a modern Performing Arts Theatre being developed. A third building has just become vacant, and there is real potential to use this for cultural purposes, so creating a small cultural cluster, and there is already local match funding for this (£60k +). If this element can progress, it would be included in the Programme Design stage, but we have not included costings in this EoI.

Supporting the stewardship of the town centre and individual buildings Developing the town centre economy will in turn will create more incentive for property owners to steward the many listed buildings in the ‘At Risk’ Conservation Area. This will be supported by:  a Conservation Grant scheme for conservation works, shop fronts and improved disability access, on the basis of a 50% small grant scheme.  more enforcement work through Conservation Officers.  completion of the Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan

3.4 PLEASE BRIEFLY OUTLINE THE ANTICIPATED IMPACT OF DELIVERING YOUR PROPOSED SCHEME AND HOW THESE OUTCOMES WILL DEVELOP INTO A SUSTAINABLE LEGACY (750 WORDS MAXIMUM)

The proposals will have the following impact for the Town Centre, which will produce a sustainable legacy.

The fabric of the Town Centre  The pedestrianisation of the Market Square parking area will create a permanent enhanced outdoor space. This will create a safe and inviting space for the general public as well as those with disabilities, families with children, and seniors, who currently find the amount and unpredictable movement of traffic, fumes and lack of sufficient pavements a deterrent to shopping and exploring the town centre.  The repaving of the town centre will provide a long term solution to broken flags, tarmac infill, etc so considerably enhancing both the physical and visual element of the town centre.  The Conservation grants and enforcement work will support an uplift in the fabric of the built environment, both protecting the buildings that benefit, and raising the standard for the town as a whole.  The Georgian architecture, for which Blandford is so well known, will be more visible and more appreciated due to the improved outdoor views of the buildings. The increased appreciation will promote use and preservation of these buildings. Economic development  The changes proposed will make the town centre a vibrant place to meet up, shop, have coffee or lunch, and enjoy the heritage and cultural events and activities planned for the space This will increase footfall, and so support local businesses in a reinforcing cycle.  This will help to alleviate the effect of online shopping by making the town centre a place people want to spend time, visit shops and cafés, go to the Museums, and attend special events. This

is particularly important for older people and vulnerable adults.  A much greater use of the Market on Market Days is also anticipated, which will benefit market stall holders.  Within this bid, the grant scheme will help sensitively enhance access to what are, in the majority, Georgian buildings. This will increase the use of these buildings and the shops they house and will encourage local shopping instead of having to drive to other centres.  Instead of being a place people drive through, the town centre will become a destination that people will stop in and visit, learn about the town and spend money.

Social, Cultural and Environmental Improvements  The core of the town includes most of the key buildings and groups that plan joint “regeneration” events. The Corn Exchange, Parish Church, Blandford Town Museum, The Royal British Legion and The Fashion Museum are clustered in this area, which also holds many of the historically important and visually impressive Georgian buildings. Linking these buildings with an outdoor pedestrianised space will promote the appreciation and use of these building, which are in danger of falling into disrepair if not integrated into the economic life of the town.  The partnerships formed between the two Museums, Parish Church, Fording Point Theatre and the Corn Exchange will have an attractive area to hold joint events and to hold activities, for example the partnership is developing educational packages for school groups, seniors and for special needs groups. These activities will be designed to combat social isolation, promote intergenerational events and activities, and promote social cohesion.  Corn Exchange/Blandford Town Museum and Art Centre/Blandford Fashion Museum/Parish Church/Bath House form a collective venue for visitors to Blandford. Navigating between would be clearer and safer, particularly for families with children, wheelchairs users, seniors, and the visually and hearing impaired.  The town would be able to use the pedestrianised area for community events, fundraising and civic events, and provide these groups and their events the safety, solemnity and respect they deserve. Blandford Forum is a Garrison Town and a major training facility for all three services, including a significant Ghurka presence. Military commemoration events are frequently hosted in the town centre.  Heritage Tours are led by the Civic Society and private groups and both the number held and the number of participants will be increased.  Additionally, the various groups listed above would be able to work effectively with the Blandford Town Council on Market Days. It would greatly benefit the Market to have events running in the Market Place that would bring in larger numbers of people for shopping and give them an idea of what there is to see and do in the town. Local Capacity  Involvement in the delivery of this project will build the capacity of local groups, many of whom already have a good track record in delivering projects.

3.5 PLEASE BRIEFLY OUTLINE HOW YOU WILL SECURE THE LEGACY OF THIS SCHEME AFTER THE FUNDING HAS ENDED (750 WORDS MAXIMUM)

Project Board Firstly, the Project Board will consider the long term legacy from when it starts, and build this into all of its decision making.

Dorset Council, Highways Pavements. With the right paving material, there will be fewer flag breakages, and long term maintenance will be more straightforward. In particular, Utilities will be required to replace areas dug up for works with the same material, which can be enforced by Dorset Council registering the town centre as an ‘Area of Engineering Difficulty’.

Dorset Council, Conservation The completion of the current draft Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan will provide a stronger planning framework to control development. Enforcement action will also be maintained, both for individual buildings, and to ensure the overall standard is maintained once the Grant Scheme has closed.

Dorset Council, Economic Development All the Market towns have received Economic Development support for many years, and in Blandford and other North Dorset towns, this has been through supporting local Town Teams, Chambers, or BIDs (depending on what each town has) and working jointly with them on accessing Dorset Council officer expertise and on external funding bids. This approach will continue.

Blandford Forum Town Council The Town Council, which runs the markets, will want to maintain and continually improve the standard of markets once this programme has finished, for the market businesses themselves, the wider benefits for the town, and to generate income.

Capacity of local groups Currently, many groups partner on a variety of events: St Peter’s Church, Parish Church, Blandford Museum and Art Centre, Fashion Museum, Civic Society, Blandford Commemoration Group, Free- Expression Arts Festival, Blandford Literary Festival, The Georgian Fayre, Blandford Yuletide Festival, Blandford Railway Arches Trust, The Town Team, Blandford War on Waste, Dorset Rural Music School, and others. There are good working relationships between all these groups and with the Blandford Forum Town Council as well. In the past they have collaborated on local commemorative events, literary festivals, regeneration events, concerts, activities for schools, and an art festival. One of the main limiting factors at present is not having sufficient outdoor space to hold activities and attract retail and Market shoppers.

Much of this collaboration takes place between the different groups themselves as opportunities arise. Importantly, in recent years there has been the formation of Blandford Town Team, now a CIC, to coordinate activities between groups, and the retail sector, and to generally promote Blandford events and venues. It is here that the legacy of the project, working closely with Blandford Forum Town Council, can be maintained once this project support has ceased. The Town Team can serve as a regular forum to discuss future events and collaborations.

C. PARTNERSHIPS 3.6 PROVIDE A COMPREHENSIVE LIST OF SCHEME PARTNERS, INCLUDING EVIDENCE OF THEIR SUPPORT (E.G. LETTERS OF SUPPORT FROM SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES) (350 WORDS MAXIMUM)

This project was initiated by a group of local organisations interested in protecting and enhancing the historic town centre through developing a more vibrant and viable town centre economy. This group comprises:  Blandford Forum Town Team  Blandford & District Civic Society  Blandford Town Museum  Blandford + Neighbourhood Planning Group  St Peter’s Church with support and involvement from Blandford Forum Town Council. Blandford Forum Town Council manages the markets, and would employ the Event Co-ordinator. Note, there is currently no Chamber of Commerce in Blandford, despite support provided to develop one.

The new unitary Dorset Council is also the Lead Authority and partner covering Highways, Parking, Conservation and Economic Development, and with the support of the Ward Councillors. There are also other organisations which support this initiative, such as the Blandford Historic Buildings Trust. Letters confirming support from partners are included in Appendix 5..

3.7 PROVIDE DETAILS OF HOW THE PARTNERSHIP WILL BE LED AND MANAGED DURING THE COURSE OF THE DELIVERY PERIOD (E.G. GOVERNANCE/ORGANOGRAM OR OTHER ILLUSTRATION) (750 WORDS MAXIMUM)

The project will be led by Dorset Council, which will convene a Project Board.

There will be a Project Manager role, which will be part of an existing Dorset Council Officer’s work programme.

The Project Board would meet on a quarterly basis, with support from the Project Manager. The role of the Project Board is to pro-actively manage the project, including:  Monitoring delivery of projects, outputs and outcomes  Managing finances, with Dorset Council acting as the Accountable Body  Identifying and managing risk (see initial Risk Assessment at Appendix 8)  Managing issues as they arise  PR & Communications  Reporting to and working with Historic England if changes need to be made.  Building longer term local capacity to ensure an ongoing legacy, which will be considered by the Project Board from the start of the project.

Historic England would be included in the Project Board, but if this were not practicable due to Historic England commitments, there would be agreed links with Historic England, both for practical issues and at a strategic level.

There will be specific sub-groups focusing on the main areas of delivery, as follows:  Developing a more vibrant town centre, led by Blandford Forum Town Council and including key local groups, which are essential to achieving local involvement and activity, building local capacity and ensuring a long term impact. Economic Development, Dorset Council, would also be linked into this sub-group.  Conservation Grant Scheme, led by Conservation, Dorset Council, which also links with its enforcement role.  Infrastructure improvements, led by Highways, Dorset Council. This element of the project is likely to be delivered early on in the project timetable, and this sub-group may not formally continue once the infrastructure works are well established and in use.

The sub-groups would meet on a frequency appropriate for their work, but on the basis that they feed in up-to-date information, issues etc to the quarterly Board meetings.

An Organogram is at Appendix 6

3.8 PLEASE CONFIRM WHETHER YOU ANTICIPATE APPOINTING AN FTE PROJECT OFFICER POST OR DESCRIBE YOUR EXISTING RESOURCES IN PLACE TO MANAGE DELIVERY OF THE SCHEME (350 WORDS MAXIMUM)

The Project Team anticipates a mix of support for this project, as follows:  Dorset Council Officer support. There will be input from Dorset Council Officers, as follows: o Project Management, covering support for the Project Board, monitoring progress and liaising with Historic England. This is estimated at circa 2 days a month (0.1 FTE) over the 4 years, as much of the project delivery work will be carried out by others, e.g. the Event Co-ordinator and other Officer input below. So this role will be incorporated within an existing post with relevant Project Management skills (Economic Development or Conservation) o New Conservation Officer input, estimated at 0.2 FTE over the 4 years to manage the grant scheme and enforcement work o Other Officer input, e.g. on the Highways paving element, Economic Development support

 Event Co-ordinator. This new post (0.6 FTE), located in Blandford Forum, would be employed by Blandford Forum Town Council, and will lead on organising town centre activities, both directly and in partnership with local groups over the whole 4 years. An element of this could be increased hours for the current Market Manager to run more markets, as part of the mix.

 Local Community input. Reflecting that this is a locally led initiative, there will be considerable input from the range of community and other groups who are interested in running more events and activities in the town centre. Support for the local groups is particularly important as this will help ensure ongoing & sustainable benefit after the end of the project. Given the level of community activity in Blandford, the total time committed on a voluntary basis will be considerable.

D. DELIVERABILITY 3.9 DESCRIBE THE DELIVERABILITY OF YOUR SCHEME HERE (750 WORDS MAXIMUM)

Project Team Dorset Council The Project Manager, the Community led Development Officer, has considerable experience of working with community groups and Local Authorities to deliver partnership projects, e.g. the replanning of a town centre following the loss of a livestock market, and development of a £2.5m community centre as part of the town’s regeneration.

Other Dorset Council staff bring their own expertise, be it within Conservation, Highways. The fact that Dorset Council is a new unitary Authority enables it to take a corporate view across functions previously split between County & District authorities; this is a major advantage.

Blandford Project Team The team has a wide range of skills, with members who have a background in business, ex military and project planning, teaching, journalism, and an academic. Many of the individuals also have experience on working on local projects with the Local Authority, e.g. on the North Dorset Trailway project.

Events Co-ordinator This role is crucial to the successful implementation of part of the project, and the selection of the right individual will be critical.

Project Timeline

Project Element Pre-Project period Project period Post Project period Project Board Set up by March 2020 Continues during There will be a Project period, meeting structure for the key regularly organisations to continue to work together Repaving, Highways Work with Repaving pavements Conservation Officers and Market Square in and local community Spring/summer of Yr 1 on design. Work with Utility Companies to ensure any major works done before the repaving Conservation Design of Grant Grant Scheme and Scheme with local enforcement to run in interest groups tandem during Project period Events Co-ordinator Recruitment before Works through the Project period if Project period. timescales allow, albeit Builds capacity as employment may only legacy for when Project start April 2020 period finishes

Decision making The proposed Goverance structure is as set out in Qu 3.7 above.

In terms of decision making, this will be by the Project Board, but to maintain momentum, there will be

mechanisms for decisions to be taken between Board meetings as follows:  Mechanism for decisions to be made collectively by Board members between meetings, e.g. by email, with audit trail to record.  Delegation for lower levels of decisions to be made by the Chair and Officers, using delegation limits.

Monitoring & Evaluation. There will be ongoing monitoring of progress, to enable the Board to manage the project and to report back to Historic England. There will be an evaluation process, designed at the start, to evaluate the effectiveness of the project.

There will also be continuous feedback loops, so that there can be continuous improvement during the 4 years of the project.

Risk & Risk Management Managing risk is clearly an important part of the Project Board’s role, and a Risk Assessment is attached at Appendix 8.

3.10 IS THERE INTEREST AND SUPPORT FROM EXISTING BUILDING OWNERS AND STAKEHOLDERS IN THE HSHAZ BID? (350 WORDS MAXIMUM)

Interest in the elements of the scheme is as follows:

Building Conservation/ shop front / accessibility Grant Scheme. Discussions with a sample of owners, businesses and managing agents has confirmed that there would be interest, and if this project were to progress to the Programme Stage a full consultation would be carried out.

Market Square /parking area pedestrianisation. The Town Council, community groups and many in the local community are very supportive of this proposal, which has been an aspiration for many years. There will need to be detailed consultation, and it is possible that there would be objection from some, particularly one or two of the retailers, so there is an option which pedestrianises most of the area but retains an element of parking if that is the best solution all round. The loss of car parking spaces is an opportunity cost for the Parking element of Dorset Council, but Dorset Council takes an overall corporate view of its objectives and the local benefits created.

Replacement of existing town centre paving. There is considerable local support for repaving the town centre, and particularly from the two Ward Councillors. Dorset Council Highways have researched alternative materials, and have allocated some funding towards this, and Dorset Council Conservation Officers are liaising with Highways to ensure the future material fits the heritage context.

More markets, events and activities.  Markets. The Town Council, which run the markets, are interested in building up the market, both the existing market days and specialist markets.  Existing events. There are a number of existing events, such as the Georgian Fayre and the Yuletide Festival, which will use the improved public space to raise the quality of their events.  New events. There is a group of local organisations (Town Museum, St Peter’s Church and Corn Exchange Museum, and Corn Exchange) who have run joint events in partnership in the past, for whom this improved public space will be a significant benefit. There are also many local organisations who will see the public open space as an opportunity.

3.11 ARE THERE DEVELOPMENT PLAN POLICIES OR OTHER REGENERATION INITIATIVES THAT SUPPORT YOUR PROPOSED SCHEME AND/OR ARE THERE ANY DEVELOPMENT THREATS THAT COULD UNDERMINE THE OUTCOMES? (350 WORDS MAXIMUM)

Planning context Local Plan In the North Dorset Local Plan 2016 (1), there are two relevant statements:  Blandford’s role as the main service centre in the southern part of the District will be maintained (para 8:10)  There is growing recognition of the importance of tourism to the North Dorset economy, and in Blandford in particular. The Council will consider positively applications for development that support tourism and are compatible with the town’s historic character (Para 8:40)

Neighbourhood Plan The Neighbourhood Plan, which has been prepared by local Councillors for Blandford Forum, Blandford St Mary & Bryanston, collectively known as Blandford +, dated September 2018 (Appendix 7), provides a comprehensive and forward looking plan, but is not yet adopted. Policy 8 relates to the town centre, and seeks to re-establish the social and economic value and importance of the town centre, designate a town centre boundary and identify primary and secondary shopping frontages. The Plan proposes to introduce a more dynamic and flexible approach in relation to uses within shopping areas, to more accurately reflect changing uses within these areas and to maintain the general health of the town. There is also a policy that will resist the loss of car parking spaces unless the community benefit outweighs the net loss of public car parking spaces. In the case of the Market Square parking spaces, the overall view is that the community and economic benefit will outweigh the net loss of parking spaces.

Heritage context Conservation work and funding streams There is ongoing restoration work on key buildings such as St Peter’s Church and the Corn Exchange, both working with Conservation funding organisations and sources. There are a range of other conservation projects being worked on and securing external funding where possible, including Blandford Town Museum improvements, Town Pump, Railway Arches, North Dorset Trailway (buffers in Trailway Court) and others.

Development threats There are no development or other threats to the town centre.

Notes: 1. https://www.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/planning-buildings-land/planning-policy/north-dorset/the-north- dorset-local-plan/pdfs/pdfs-north-dorset-local-plan/north-dorset-local-plan-part-1-policy-1-to- 21.pdf

3.12 WHAT IS YOUR BROAD ESTIMATE OF THE TOTAL COST OF THE ELIGIBLE WORK REQUIRED FOR YOUR SCHEME (BROKEN DOWN BY YEAR IN WHICH THAT COST WILL FALL)? ESTIMATED YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 TOTAL COSTS Local Events £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £15,000 £60,000 Co-ordinator Support for £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £3,000 £12,000 local events Paving £345,000 0 0 0 £345,000 Conservation £50,000 £50,000 £50,000 £50,000 £200,000 Grant Scheme TOTALS £413,000 £68,000 £68,000 £68,000 £617,000

3.13 HOW MUCH FUNDING IN TOTAL ARE YOU ASKING US FOR (BROKEN DOWN BY YEAR)? REQUEST FROM YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 TOTAL HS HAZ FUND Local Events £7,500 £7,500 £7,500 £7,500 £30,000 Co-ordinator Support for £1,500 £1,500 £1,500 £1,500 £6,000 local events Paving £172,500 0 0 0 £172,500 Conservation £25,000 £25,000 £25,000 £25,000 £100,000 Grant Scheme TOTALS £206,500 £34,000 £34,000 £34,000 £308,500

3.14 HOW MUCH FUNDING (FROM YOU, PARTNERS AND/OR OTHER SOURCES) CAN YOU SUPPORT THE SCHEME WITH? PLEASE DETAIL FINANCIAL COMMITMENT FROM YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 TOTAL APPLICANT/ OTHER SOURCES Blandford Forum Town £7,500 £7,500 £7,500 £7,500 £30,000 Council, Event Co-ordinator SECT 106 FUNDING IN £1,500 £1,500 £1,500 £1,500 £6,000 HAND, SUPPORT FOR EVENTS Dorset Council, £172,500 0 0 0 £172,500 Highways Private property & £25,000 £25,000 £25,000 £25,000 £100,000 business owners

Totals £206,500 £34,000 £34,000 £34,000 £308,500

3.15 PROVIDE DETAILS OF THE ANTICIPATED NON-FINANCIAL RESOURCE COMMITMENTS THAT WILL BE MADE BY PARTNERS AND/OR OTHER SOURCES RESOURCE YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3 YEAR 4 TOTAL Dorset Council, £3,812 £3,812 £3,812 £3,812 £15,248 Project Management Dorset Council, £7,625 £7,625 £7,625 £7,625 £30,500 Conservation Dorset Council, £3,812 0 0 0 £3,812 Highways

E. COMMUNITIES AND ENGAGEMENT 3.16 DESCRIBE HOW YOU WILL ENGAGE WITH COMMUNITIES TO DESIGN AND DELIVER YOUR SCHEME

Local Community The demographics of the Blandford community are as follows:

Age profile:  25.6 per cent over 60  52.6% 20 to 59  21.8% 19 and under This age profile is typical of rural Dorset, with a lower number of 20-59, and a higher number of older people. Other stats:  75.6 per cent economically active (16.7% in part-time work, 3.4% long-term sick or disabled)  4560 households of which a quarter have one person with long term disability or health problem  37.8% of households have two or more cars (18.3% had none) Blandford Parish, NOMIS 2011 census

The Co-op Wellbeing index for the town centre is 54, just above the average at 52, but has a significantly high index of 89 for Culture, Heritage and Leisure.

Within the town centre, there will of course be a number of communities of interest, as follows:  Town centre businesses  Market stall holders  Town centre property owners  Town Councillors and Dorset Council Ward Councillors  Heritage and cultural groups And, of course, people who live and/or work in Blandford, as well as residents in the wider catchment area.

This project has been initiated and led by a group of local organisations, which provides a strong local base, but all involved are very aware of the different communities of interest, and the need to work in detail with both the communities of interest and the wider community.

Involvement and consultation Blandford has a track record in consultation and involvement through the detailed work involved in developing a Neighbourhood Plan, and other initiatives.

If this project progresses to the Programme Design stage, an involvement and consultation process will be started. This will comprise 3 elements, which will be used together and not necessarily in sequence.

Involvement. The project will be much more robust if it is co-designed with the specific interest groups, so there will be work on each of the specific project elements, e.g. pedestrianizing the market parking area, the Conservation grant scheme, with the relevant groups. There are a range of methods which can be used, e.g. Planning for Real, ideas Workshop, Choice catalogue, Open Space workshops, etc. The challenge will be to ensure proper engagement with some specific interest groups, e.g. property owners, and sometimes small retailers, so this will need an individual and business to business approach.

Consultation. There will be wider consultation, on the overall project and the elements, through Planning for Real, Market Stalls, etc. Ensuring reach to specific groups, e.g. young people will need a specific approach.

Communication. There will be updates through the local media, including the community newsletter (one of the group is a local journalist). Social media will also be used, but with care as experience elsewhere shows it risks become a platform for specific individuals. Local Radio can also be very effective.

There are the skills within the town and Dorset Council to carry this out using a range of methods. There is also the option of bringing in a local charity, Dorset Community Action, to act as facilitators if it is considered that independent facilitation would be useful.

Engagement with local Heritage As has been highlighted throughout this Expression of Interest, there is a group of heritage related groups, the Town Museum and Fashion Museum, St Peter’s Church, the Corn Exchange, who are already working to promote understanding and engagement with the heritage of the town.

The new Fording Point Theatre, once up and running, will also bring different angles and techniques to this, e.g. working with the Koru project (1) a Dorset based project that specialises in dramatherapy.

Notes: 1. https://www.the-koru-project.org.uk

F. CULTURAL PROGRAMME 3.17 OUTLINE BELOW YOUR CAPACITY TO SUPPORT THE CULTURAL PROGRAMME

This project has the capacity to support the cultural programme in three ways:

Local Events Co-ordinator. This post, working for the Town Council and with the local community, is ideally placed to implement the Cultural Programme.

Local Community and cultural groups. This project has been locally led, with strong input from local cultural and heritage groups, such as the Town Museum, Fashion Museum, Civic Society, St Peter’s Church and the Corn Exchange, and the Fording Point Theatre (when up and running). The Cultural Programme will enable them to deliver much of what they already want to do, and, as a bonus, as part of a national scheme. It is anticipated that a number of the local groups would want to be involved in co-designing how the Cultural Programme is delivered in Blandford.

Dorset Council. There is also support both for arts and museums at a County level.

Note: The Active Lives data does not provide information at this market town level.

G. DECLARATION FORM Your completed EoI must be signed by the Lead Applicant contact named in Q1.2b I confirm the applicant organisation has read and accepted the Expression of Interest Guidance Notes and the information in this declaration form, together with the supporting information enclosed with it, is accurate and complete to the best of our knowledge.

Hugh de Iongh Community led Development Officer

Signature

H D de Iongh

On behalf of Dorset Council 12/07/19

Please tick to confirm you have attached the following appendices:

Map of the HSHAZ Area Yes, Appendix 3

Risk Assessment of the Scheme Yes, Appendix 8

Please list other annexes below:

Appendixes:

1. Map of Blandford Forum Conservation Area

2. Blandford Historic Buildings Trust, Condition Survey 2018

3. Town Centre boundary

4. Town Team survey, 2014

5. Letters of support

6. Project Board Organogram

7. Blandford + Neighbourhood Plan, relevant section, 2018

8. Risk Assessment