1 A Vision for Physical Regeneration

Active by Design Creating places for healthy lives 2 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 3

Contents

In memory of community ambassador Sue Johnson, 01 Introduction a committed spokesperson for this project who was passionate about helping others and bringing joy to their lives. West Howe: the context 1963 - 2015 02

03 Building the evidence base

04 Vision

05 Next steps

APPENDIX - Community evaluation maps Active by Design 5

Executive summary Design Council was commissioned any proposed residential development to develop a Vision for West Howe’s is likely to be resisted, although other physical regeneration – to capitalise uses may be allowed. This restricts the on the estate’s existing physical construction of any new homes to the assets and to improve people’s health central ‘corridor’ of West Howe. and wellbeing, through a process of collaborating with and empowering To ensure that people would be at the community. The project has been the heart of the Vision, a community undertaken as part of Design Council’s engagement programme took place. Active by Design programme, which This involved joint evaluation of West helps organisations create places for Howe’s streets, green spaces and healthy lives. community buildings by residents, council officers, Councillors and Built in the 1950s, the West Howe stakeholders; the findings of this work estate is made up of semi-detached are presented on maps in this report. houses, terraced homes and blocks A Visioning Festival also took place, of flats, and is home to 10,000 people. to validate the evaluation findings and There is strong community support capture aspirations for transforming but educational attainment, levels of West Howe. employment and health outcomes are lower in West Howe than the Building on WHRP’s vision for West and averages. Howe, and based on the evidence gathered through this project, a Vision The West Howe Regeneration has been developed in collaboration Partnership (WHRP) was established with the community, the Council and in 2012 to oversee transformation in stakeholders. A Vision statement has West Howe and support community been agreed and six regeneration development. principles have been identified, set out in this report. To translate the Vision There are two Local Nature Reserves into a set of deliverable projects, an adjoining the estate, each with highly Implementation Plan is now needed. valued heathland habitats and each Together, these individual projects will afforded significant protection by nature realise the Vision to transform West conservation designations. A 400m Howe, capitalise on its physical assets radius exclusion zone is in place around and improve the health and wellbeing of each Local Nature Reserve, in which its community. 6 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 7 St. James’ Park, Southampton 2014

Background to the project

In May 2014, Design Council was commissioned to explore how the West Howe estate could be regenerated, with three main starting points for the work:

• Capitalising on the estate’s existing physical assets • Improving people’s health and wellbeing • Collaborating with and empowering the community

The work has been funded by Bournemouth Borough Council, Clinical Commissioning Group and the and Crime Commissioner, based 01 on a joint commitment to the project and the cross cutting benefits expected to be gained. The project has been enabled by the West Howe Regeneration Introduction Partnership Board. 8 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 9

Active by Design West Howe: a vision for community % 40% regeneration The project has been undertaken To help create active places, we 21 of long-term health This project has been founded on The evidence underpinning the Vision as part of Design Council’s Active examine existing environments and Children play outdoors conditions are caused collaboration and engagement. puts the Council in a strong position to by Design programme, which helps make proposals based on the following compared with 71% by inactivity* Council officers and Members with target potential funding sources, lead aspects of a healthy neighbourhood: organisations create places for healthy of their parents when Being physically inactive responsibilities for public health, the long-term process of transforming lives. This means buildings, streets, • Reasons to get out and about – they were children* significantly increases a person’s Police, housing, parks, transport, the area, and improve people’s health parks and neighbourhoods in which risk of developing coronary heart youth services, libraries, education creating opportunities for people to disease, colon cancer, breast and wellbeing in West Howe. physical activity is an integral part of get out to work, shop, rest, play and cancer, type 2 diabetes and and property have been involved and dementia. everyday life. Active by Design helps meet over 250 residents have contributed local authorities meet their public health A quarter of British their views and ideas. Wide-ranging – street design that adults now walk responsibilities and fulfill the obligations • Getting around for less than Each year, physical evidence has been gathered and bold encourages walking and cycling set out in the National Planning Policy minutes a day* inactivity costs the UK aspirations have been explored. This Framework: to use evidence to assess economy* has culminated in a Vision statement local health and wellbeing needs, and • Play, leisure and sport – The UK’s four Chief and six principles as set out in Section opportunities for fun and exercise Medical Officers to create healthy communities. recommend at least 150 4. A series of next steps has been close to home 9 minutes of exercise per week for identified to take the Vision forward adults, and at least 60 minutes per bn • Nature and nurture – to capitalise day for children. £20 summarised in Section 5. This is the estimated cost of health on the health benefits of contact with treatment, sickness absence, nature reduced productivity and premature The aim of this Vision is to set the deaths. direction for physical regeneration of • Homes that connect – creating West Howe that meet users’ needs, that good physical connections between enable people to lead more neighbourly places and active lives, and that are resilient to *Sources: societal and economic change. • A pleasant environment at a Playday (2007) human scale – so that it’s appealing Department of Health (2009) Journal of Epidemiol Community and comfortable to be outside Health (2007) By working with communities and Lancet (2012/2013) applying the principles of Active by Design, we aim to drive changes that generate the greatest benefits for people and their health. 10 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 11

Physical context West Howe was developed for housing by the council in the 1950s, on a former stopping place for travellers. The estate is mainly made up of semi-detached houses and terraces with clusters of flats. Since the 1980s many of the houses have been sold under ‘right to buy’; most of flats remain in council ownership.

West Howe is adjacent to Turbary Common and Common Nature Reserves, both of which are highly valued landscapes – primarily due to the heathland habitat that makes up part of each site. Their nature conservation designations establish both Commons as Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), Ramsar sites, Special Areas of Conservation (SAC) and Local Nature Conservation sites. Turbary Common is also designated as a Site of Nature Conservation Interest (SNCI) and a Special Protection Area (SPA). Local planning policies require any residential 02 development within 400 metres of these sites to be resisted due to likely negative impacts on the healthland. This suggests that any net additional housing would need to be West Howe : accommodated outside of the two 400m exclusion zones. The policies do not rule out other types of development within the context the 400m zones such as care homes or employment uses. 12 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 13

The flats in West Howe are generally Residents and people involved in In terms of education, the West Howe The Joint Strategic Needs Assessment surrounded by significant areas of the area report a strong sense of Strategic Assessment May 2012 (JSNA) 2010- 2015, by NHS open space. Some of this is used community and mutual support on the identifies that: Bournemouth and , Borough for parking but much of it is grass area. The WHRP’s ‘West Howe • Educational attainment, across West of Poole and Bournemouth Borough land and of varying quality. Many Commitment’ suggests that there Howe, is poor at all stages and ages Council, shows the following differences of these green areas are unused, are over 50 voluntary groups on the compared with borough and national between Kinson South residents (in providing little opportunity for play, estate offering a diverse range of averages which West Howe lies) and the average gardening, sitting out or socialising. activities and support for people of all health statistics across Poole and This lack of purpose, coupled with the ages. Groups include a job club and • Over 4 out of 10 adults have no Bournemouth: configuration of the buildings, their provide opportunities for play, exercise, qualifications compared with the • They are 3-7 times more likely to be entrances and the pedestrian routes volunteering, meeting people, training Bournemouth average of 2.5 out of 10 heavy smokers to them, makes the areas around the and counselling. West Howe is one of the 20% most flats vulnerable to abuse. • They are more likely to have a BMI deprived areas in England. The estate over 30 suffers from higher than average levels North Bournemouth West Howe Clinic of mental and physical health problems. Children’s Centre • They are much more likely to have West Howe has a higher proportion As set out in the West Howe Strategic not taken any exercise in the past 12 of overcrowded homes (11.6%) than Assessment of May 2012, the “2001 months and in comparison with the Bournemouth as a whole (10.2%) Census suggests that West Howe national average and England overall (7%) Henry Brown Youth Centre residents are likely to be disadvantaged • West Howe residents are likely to die - Census (2001) economically and live in challenging West Howe Library social situations with less access to 3.7 years earlier private transport, more overcrowding, A key recommendation of the JSNA is high levels of long-term mental and Social and health context to encourage walking to address poor physical illness and higher proportions health. The Council’s key role as ‘place- West Howe is home to 10,000 people. of households headed by a lone parent”. shaper’ is identified. It has a strong connection to the area’s gypsy heritage and the estate has a younger population than the Bournemouth or England average.

Shops Heathlands Primary School Fernheath playing field 14 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 15

Bournemouth Council’s Corporate The WHRP’s West Howe Commitment Plan identifies West Howe as one of identifies three key themes, reflecting the priority areas for socio-economic the need to support local people to Oak Academy (Leaf Campus) regeneration. Bournemouth’s Elm Academy (Leaf Campus) address local economic challenges: Kinson Common Sustainable Community Strategy and the Local Plan include ‘Health and • Skills – access to training and wellbeing for residents’ as key themes. education to help local people take West Howe, Bournemouth Howe, West control over their lives Residents’ own priorities for West Howe were captured in the 2014 Bournemouth • Place – high quality buildings and Opinion Survey. The residents’ top three spaces that bring people together priorities were: West Howe Clinic • Finances – support to help people manage their money and improve 1. Road and pavement repairs their economic situation Shops 2. Clean streets 3. Level of crime North Bournemouth This project has built on the vision Children’s Centre established by WHRP and on the ‘Place’ Bourne Academy Economic context Henry Brown Youth Centre element of the West Howe Commitment, The West Howe Regeneration to develop a more detailed Vision for the West Howe Library Partnership (WHRP) was established physical environment. Youth Centre in 2012 to oversee transformation in Heathlands Primary School West Howe, respond to the changing economic context, build resilience in the community and reduce dependence on The proportion of the working age Fernheath playing field services at a time when local authority population in employment is 51.2% resources are shrinking. in West Howe, compared with 62.2% for Bournemouth and 63.2% across England - Census (2001) Kingsleigh Primary School

Fernheath Play

Turbary Common 16 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 17

Methodology To ensure that people would be at the heart of the Vision and the future regeneration of West Howe, engagement activities were undertaken with the community, Council officers and Members and wider stakeholders, over five months.

These included: • Recruiting and inspiring community Ambassadors • Training for officers, members and the community Ambassadors • A study trip to see what is possible in completed 03 regeneration projects • Building evidence through walkabouts and mapping Building the • Developing a shared Vision • Testing the Vision with a broad set of residents, officers evidence base and councillors 18 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 19

The engagement activities were Timeline of activities: Walkabout devised to achieve three main training day 250+ participants objectives: 4 venues • Build a solid evidence base 80+ participants Visioning Festival Through direct engagement, 17 walkabouts surveying and testing ideas, 12 Ambassadors the activities generated spatial Ambassador community buildings Walkabout Presentation to data direct from the community Site 6 initiation introduction evaluation WHRP day meeting Study trip 19 green spaces workshop • Build skills and empower residents 20 garage areas Through the volunteering Ambassador opportunities, training sessions street evaluation intervals and focused activities, the Recruitment 50m activities boosted the voice and Festival Next steps the skills of the community and the WALKABOUTS setup meeting other agencies involved.

• Build social capacity between 17 Nov 14 Jan 18 Aug 22 Sep 29 Sep 3 Oct 9 Oct 3 Nov 21 -22 Nov those involved Direct engagement between residents, councillors and officers developed people’s skills, a shared understanding and stronger 2 Dec relationships. 2014 2015 20 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 21

Community Ambassadors

Twelve local people were recruited The Ambassadors received training “This project has been A study trip enabled the Ambassadors St. James’ Park: as “Ambassadors” for the project. on the principles of successful unusual in bringing an to visit two well-designed regeneration A re-designed park containing attractive Their role was to promote the initiative neighbourhoods and how to assess outside body (Design projects in Southampton: facilities for play and sport for people of through day to day conversations in the these qualities through analysis and Council) together with all ages and abilities, and a community neighbourhood, to help generate the mapping. residents and Planning. Hinkler Parade, Thornhill: cafe. The project was led by a ‘Friends evidence base, and to publicise and run Hopefully Plannning will A parade of shops with flats above in Of’ group and today is managed by the Visioning Festival. see what residents want an estate on the edge of the city. The local people, with the cafe run as a in the area. It’s been area was previously blighted by derelict social enterprise. brilliant - I’ve made a lot garages behind the shops and suffered of new friends, working from antisocial behaviour. The parade The visits included presentations from with residents to bring had been completely rebuilt to provide those who had been involved in the the project to fruition” a greater number of homes, new shops regeneration projects including officers Daryl Venner, and community facilities, and a safer- and community representatives. The Ambassador feeling environment. trip provided opportunities to see what is possible and talk to those who manage and use the assets, to learn from their experience.

Workshop with Ambassadors, October 2014

Ambassadors’ visit to Hinkler Parade, Thornhill, Ambassadors’ visit to St.James’ Park, Workshop with Ambassadors, WHRP presentation, September 2014 Workshop with Ambassadors, Southampton, September 2014 Southampton, September 2014 October 2014 October 2014 22 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 23

Walkabout and mapping

Regeneration proposals need to be The process took place as based on a sound understanding of follows: the place they relate to, if they are • The study area was divided into 14 to be credible, realistic and address manageable sections for evaluation local issues effectively. Hence it was important to develop tools and methods • A training day was held to to capture the needs of local people demonstrate the walkabout effectively. methodology • 17 walkabouts were organised and Neighbourhood walkabouts and advertised to the wider community Image for Daily Echo newspaper, October 2014 Scoring green spaces, October 2014 mapping were carried out to record how the community sees and uses • The walkabouts were undertaken, the area’s physical environment. facilitated by the Council’s Ambassadors, youth groups, children, neighbourhood officer, with 5-6 Council officers and Members and people per walkabout, including residents from the area if possible community representatives participated in the walkabouts. Walkabouts were • A standard score sheet was used undertaken during the day and at night to capture the quality and value to record lighting levels and feelings of of each external space, and to safety in the area. record comments. As part of the walkabouts, informal interviews were conducted with residents using or passing through the areas being surveyed, to capture their views • Maps were compiled to illustrate the data and summarise the comments collected • This was supported by extensive photographic evidence Walkabout, October 2014 Walkabout training day, October 2014 Completed walkabout package - Area 9 Turbary bottom, October 2014 24 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 25 AREA 1 - Cunningham Crescent Communty evaluation maps • residents feel The average score for each section of street or public space is illustrated on the maps in pavements need this section, with the key comments from the evaluators and the residents interviewed. looking at Full-size maps are in the appendix. The maps categorise the external spaces by type, to WEST HOWE CLINIC • speed of traffic too fast provide a strategic overview of opportunities • very important building • poor accessibility • no litter bins • underused • no access lighting from main road • uninviting • not safe to access from main road • railings at odd locations • potential to accommodate leisure activities

• access to clinic

• children enjoy rolling down • unsafe at bottom • well used area where people hangout in front of shops • cars often parked on pavement • cluttered feel • residents made their own access • poor surface • parking restriction on garden needed • cycles not catered for very good • covered by bushes • no dropped kerbs • drug dealing hot spot

good

poor

• benches only used by very poor Henry Brown Youth Centre young people • well used building • dark and neglected • confusing and odd • too many bricks spaces, poorly used • well used but few like it Comments • sad building • gates and walls in strange • entrances not welcome 14. relate to the places • needs cheering up • play are poorly provided indicated • need to open up external walls to make it welcoming therefore not used section of • need to open up for more age groups street or The 14 sections surveyed • need open doors, coffee outside – social place footpath only Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 26 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 27 AREA 2 - Moore Avenue and Fernheath AREA 3 - Heathlands

• general grotty feel • popular route • trees make resident’s room dark • lots of litter • bins dominate garden • no dropped kerbs • drying area • opportunity for benches • 2 random tyres found Springwater road • residents stressed from people cutting • too narrow considering through bus way • well used route but the road is • large hedge North used as a pavement Bournemouth • causes obstruction • road floods at Cunningham • hard to get around Children’s Centre Crescent end • awful congestion • dark • packed with cars • trees have overgrown • bins are overflowing MOORE AVENUE PARK • poor access and paths • no access on desire line • fencing everywhere and damaged • entrance at wrong place • play equipment in good condition but • could be used for more kids only for young age groups • unsafe to get to this park and to • not well used leave this park • kids play on grass not on equipment • lights and water fountain broken • slippery paths Fernheath Playing field • need to accomodate play for all • used for football and dog walking ages • community picnic event during summer time Heathlands • 2 dog bins and 2 benches • access to the place is a problem unclear Primary • well used route entry point very good School • but prison like - railings • communities suggest buses struggle to get • very overgrown and poorly maintained through along the park • hedges overgrown good • dark Fern Heath • big welcome sign and more community • lots of litter • bus stop cluttered activity suggested playing field • have to go through playground gates • lots of slippery leaves poor • playground not well used • huge space but unused • too narrow for bus lane • unwelcoming and bleak • space for kick around • poor surface condition • poor surface very poor suggested • litter problem • uninviting • steep junction • communities expressed entrance • very dangerous in icy conditions interest in - netball, basketball, rugby, tennis Comments • community like the grass verges and more colour relate to the • nice open entrance • fencing needs to be looked at indicated • seems to be locked up most of the time • poor planting section of street or footpath only Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 28 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 29 AREA 4 - Pilot Hight Road AREA 5 - Mandale Road

• very busy area during school days • cars and buses • popular route • this route needs to • a very unpleasant place be connected • by school children • prone to fly tipping • it’s a desire line for pedestrians

• resident complaints • drug use and litter • horrible and dark • overgrown • very grotty and derelict area • poorly maintained • access to 4-f is closed off • residents want garage to be demolished very good • lack of dropped kerbs - not aligned good to each road • traffic too fast • slippery paths* • paths on slopes are slippery • dim street lights poor • on rainy days - could be dangerous • overgrown • accessibility on paths should be improved • in summer and spring - a nice area very poor • has potential to • has potential but not used encourage social • rear area is a nice space during • could be a nice place to relax if benches activity the day - would be very good for were provided • scope for gardening storage and washing etc. Comments • verges causing flooding • big puddle at entrance relate to the • prone to litter indicated issues • spooky section of • no pedestrian crossing • speeding traffic street or footpath only

• big hedge here *new housing obstructs pavement in progress • dark and unpleasant feel at night

Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 30 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 31 AREA 6 - Frost Road AREA 7- Turbary (top)

• huge possibility - big space • garage area derelict • not cared for • ASB • dead space • speeding cars - dangerous • assumed it is private • main through road for school • overgrown • cars cutting corner because of back garden but it’s hedges • very fast traffic - dangerous unused place with parked cars • uncared for • there is only 1 crossing piles of rubbish

very good • odd spaces everywhere good ** • should be made more open • poor junction crossing • huge trees obstructing lights and visibility • parked cars causing obstruction poor * • flooding problem very poor * Comments • huge space • speeding cars relate to the • fly tipping in every bin store • regular litter picks - lots of complaints indicated • access in and out is difficult for people • just empty green section of • lots of communal space with mobility scooters space street or • lots of on street parking • huge trees obstructing views footpath only • bins out in parking bays • odd spaces are everywhere - lacks • internal bin stored used for purpose squatting and other uses • trampoline and drying area at rear area - good use of back *improvement gardens works in new* progress bungalows • unclear entrance • dog bins are in completely wrong place have been • no crossing point to get here constructed ** In Heathland • no seating for parents since the Protection • dog bins are outside parks and not used evaluation was Zone • paths are very poorly maintained undertaken Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 32 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 33 AREA 8 - Turbary (middle) AREA 9 - Turbary (bottom)

• shabby bus stop • which obstructs pavement • bin required by bus stop

• residents were notified that this place will be redesigned soon

• very well used but grim space • residents complain about • lots of litter and tired, noise and air pollution from unusable street furniture buses along this route • poorly maintained surfaces and hedges • cared for • need pedestrian crossing to • residents turned the street adjacent to it to common lovely area with flowers and seatings • well maintained but not used • no seating area • lots of fly tipping • ‘no ball games’ sign • mini motos • dog fouling • dark and shady towards comon lane • barriers at the bottom of common - unclear purpose • a lot of space for very few garages • lighting control box often vandalised • very overgrown • community thinks it has potential very good • popular with cyclists good • but not provided for

poor 9f

• lighting control here is often vandalised very poor • fairly well maintained • but uninspiring Comments • drainage problem at • no lighting but clean • messy junction relate to the • prone to fly tipping rear area • need signage • feels boxed in indicated • uncared for • need dropped kerb • no space for mobility scooters section of • poor crossing • no space to access storage street or • poor access to bus stop • fence is in the way footpath only Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 34 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 35 AREA 10 - Verney Road and Fernheath Valley AREA 11 - Moorside and Tedder

• unwelcoming • prone to ASB • building work • crossing point needed as • bench removed through ASB balls easily roll into the • pavement parking road • there are fairly • on verges new homes • good condition • road very fast • with no speed • derelict reduction • very shabby • poor entrance• but open and • used for ASB spacious road and • beautifully • girls feel unsafe feels lovely shaped trees • communities suggest • no dropped kerbs • lots of nooks and crannies for hiding gardening • very poorly maintained • parking on pavement • benches and flower beds are in good road • emergency vehicles condition • useless grass verges cannot get in • wide corners encourage high speed • not as open and well used • good entry point to the park cars as it used to be • cosy feel • Verney road signage is • need clearing up – so • no signage worn out much dog mess and put • pavements are narrow and uneven off dog walkers very good • dog bins are not always • a horrible but very much emptied • very unpleasant alley • mini motors usage good used route for • poor entrance school • poor entrance • rain washed the path and now very slippery – paths need improvement poor • hedges and trees have overgrown very poor

• poor entrance Comments • park not maintained relate to the • not recommended to take child there • entrance to the park indicated • badly vandalised and unusable section of • neglected and vandalised street or • grim footpath only Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 36 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 37 AREA 12 - Montgomery and Kinson Baths AREA 13 - South Kinson Drive

• derelict and dangerous and used nightly for drug dealing • great potential for positive use • community garden is a popular suggestion • young people suggest football pitch • uninviting entrance • dog mess problem • popular bus stop • unpleasant waiting experience

• lack of parking is a • just empty space • very difficult junction, • lots of parking on verges along problem • opportunity for other poor visibility this road uses • speeding cars

• overgrown hedges • fencing is in poor condition • children love playing • very unsafe junction • very dark • parking here on the bank • very difficult to • known for dealing very good • causes great conflict • used by mums cross • bin store in bad condition • worn out • uneven entrance and • very difficult to • storage shed frequently access bus stops • steep hill • cars cut through surfaces broken into good • could encourage • lack of parking more play makes it worse • wrong road • pavement narrows so no • bins are too big poor • horrible space for bus stop waiting marking • poor fencing area - not catered for • entrance to • pot holes very poor church and Edward May Court very poor Comments relate to the indicated section of street or footpath only Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 AREA 13 - South Kinson Drive

38 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 39 AREA 14 - Avenue

• paving only on one side away from the common • cycle path stops abruptly - disjointed • no dropped kerbs • flat number looks like tombstone • road markings worn • concrete boundary marking • Fernheath Road sign falling over • Kimber Road – no dropped kerbs • footpath on side of common leads to no landing spot • road sign is worn out on opposite side • road markings on Elliot Road disappeared • the level of dog mess prevents people from • no sanctuary for cars or cycles turning right into Fernheath • it’s not beautiful (nature) joining in activities such as bat walks • space with tree is open and welcoming - has potential • scrappy area on corner, no road sign, • occasional motor bikes, litter • no dropped kerbs, no crossing • big welcome sign suggested looks ugly • no shelter • no signage helping us find our way • another poor to access entrance to the common • cars cut the corner – not nice for • feels safe during the day only • minor entrance opportunity at 102 cyclists turning right • need a crossing • cycle lane suggested (instead of grass verges) • could be safer for • separate cycle lane suggested • more seating along paths suggested • bus stop access is difficult - not catered for cyclists • ‘Welcome to West Howe’ sign • crossing to entrance to Common Lane is poor - took • well lit ages for space in the traffic to cross suggested • cycle lane • very secretive suggested • poor access and crossing • no signage • little entrance to straight path across common is awful yet it’s • junction with Fernheath signage is worn out a very well used route • Children’s Centre sign is on wrong side of the road • looks dark, scary and uninviting • How about steam washing the walls to the flat • no disabled access blocks? • bus stop outside 164 TPA lets the rain in • some front gardens are beautiful • side back protection is good but often vandalised • overgrown hedges • another poor entrance with no dropped kerb • leaves make pavement slippery • parking on verges • road sign cuts pavement • Turbary Park centre – no signage or interpretation • bus route is under threat (#36) but very much used • we like the sign • good to have bin outside bus stop but design • road marking is very worn, road surface is poor • blue walk sign points wrong way could be improved • ‘No cycling’ sign is worn out and faded • no dropped kerb to entrance • bus stop on common side of the road - no crossing • poor crossing point • looks old and dated • cycle route suggested • cars don’t slow down • better path needed • poor welcome • confusing and encourages people to • the common is used for ASB cross in wrong places • communities suggest adventure trail • this nature reserve needs to be advertised and inviting • could be better/ same standard as

Spatial evaluation by the community, October 2014 40 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 41 Community walkabouts: key findings

The maps and comments show how the physical environment in West Howe is Road safety used, maintained and valued from the community’s perspective. They show why • No safe crossing points on important routes (including routes to school and to Turbary certain spaces are better used than others and have prompted many ideas on Common) what is needed to improve the estate for residents. The key issues coming out of • Speeding cars particularly along certain roads the walkabouts are: • Slippery surfaces - particularly on slopes Pedestrian access • Congestion and poor visibility at certain junctions • No dropped kerbs or in the wrong places • Cyclists not catered for e.g. no cycle lanes, safe cycle parking spaces or signage • Pavements too narrow, or no pavement in certain areas • Poor/no lighting - lighting on roads not pavements • Gates and railings in the ‘wrong’ places • Emergency vehicles cannot get in to certain streets – too narrow or cluttered by parking • Fragmented local facilities - poor connectivity • No/poor signage to key locations Disorganised parking • Certain bollards and barriers impeding access for people with mobility • Parking on verges and on pavements scooters or buggies • Lack of parking spaces in certain areas causing serious congestion at junctions • Poor/no lighting Maintenance Spaces not provided for safe and active/social use • Poor condition of pavements in certain areas • Lack of bins and seating at popular bus stops • Blocked drainage causing flooding in public spaces • Lack of bins and seating in green areas (or in wrong places) • Fly tipping in back alleys and garage areas • Poor/no lighting • Poorly looked after communal bins around flats • Plenty of empty green areas • Dog mess • Overgrown hedges Ideas and suggestions • Broken lights • Cafés • Unemptied bins including dog bins • Large and inviting signage at key locations • Litter and lack of bins • More places for ball games – disused green spaces suggested Uninviting appearance of local facilities and parks • More opportunity for growing things • Uninviting entrances • Safe pedestrian crossing • Poorly designed signage and windows (including shop fronts) • More social spaces for all ages • Too many railings and confusing gates These findings are a key foundation of the Vision and the next steps in this report. • Lack of colour in general • Uninviting play equipment 42 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 43

Developing the Vision

Following the walkabouts, a visioning Events took place in four venues, with In preparing the final Vision, the workshop was held with Ambassadors, five different engagement activities scored priorities and the comments Council officers and Members and to appeal to different age groups and from participants were used to other stakeholders to develop ideas, types of stakeholders. Over 250 people review and refine the elements of the drawing on the evidence compiled and participated in total. Design Council Vision – now referred to in this report the participants’ aspirations for the led the process, strongly supported as Vision ‘principles’. It was felt that future of West Howe. This generated by the neighbourhood officer, the one of the regeneration principles, seven ‘early vision ideas’. Ambassadors and other volunteers. Conor Burns MP (centre) gave V6, should be broadened to include his views - Henry Brown Youth Centre, older people and people facing other The participants were asked to select 22 Nov 2014 challenges, physical or mental. This Visioning festival three priorities out of the seven early broad-ranging element of the Vision has now been incorporated into all of 34 children participated and gave their views Volunteers preparing to facilitate vision ideas and were encouraged to -Heathlands Primary School, 21 Nov, 2014 teenager engagement event A two-day visioning festival was held on contribute additional comments and the final principles. V5 and V3 have - Henry Brown Youth Centre, 21st and 22nd of November 2014, with suggestions. To collate the results, been combined into the new principle 21 Nov 2014 two key aims: ‘priority 1’ votes were given three ‘improvements to streets’, and a further principle has been added to ensure that • To collect further views on the results points; ‘priority 2’ votes two points; and the problematic spaces around blocks of walkabout and mapping exercises, ‘priority 3’ votes one point. The result of of flats are addressed. to strengthen the evidence in the the vote was: emerging plans Vision point content Children’s art competition • To test the early vision ideas with a number score Central area redeveloped as a winner V1 157 wide audience HEART - West Howe Library, V2 Improved/new park for all ages 82 22 Nov 2014

V5 Overall street improvement 74 Enhanced pedestrian/cycle radial V3 67 routes V6 Better environment for children 67

V4 Grot spots program 66

V7 New homes 27

(left) The maps generated through community Council officers, Members and residents Map used during Visioning Festival Teenagers commenting on walkabouts were exhibited during the event participated helped develop the Vision street network map - North Bournemouth Children’s Centre, - North Bournemouth Children’s -Henry Brown Youth Centre, 21 22 November 2014 Centre, 21 Nov 2014 Nov, 2014 44 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 45

Building on the WHRP vision and informed by the evidence gathered, a Vision statement has been agreed with the community, Council departments and other stakeholders. Six principles for the physical regeneration of the estate have also been identified. This section sets out the statement, the principles and the approaches necessary for the Vision to be realised successfully. Vision statement

Over the next ten years, a series of transformational changes will take place, making West Howe feel safer and more attractive for all, and enhancing health, wellbeing and local pride.

The changes will see the creation of a stronger neighbourhood ‘heart’: a meeting point with shops, a cafe, an attractive park and community facilities for all, integrated with new homes. The whole of West Howe will be easy and pleasant to get around on foot and by bicycle. 04 The people of West Howe will be engaged in the transformations and in the longer term care and maintenance of the neighbourhood. Vision Regeneration principles The following principles are proposed to guide the projects that will realise the Vision. 46 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 47

01 A new ‘heart’ for West Howe 02 New homes PRINCIPLES PRINCIPLES

The central area is redeveloped with There are convenient and comfortable New homes provide well-designed and appealing accommodation new flats, shops, a health centre, a bus stops, making Bournemouth for families, couples and individuals. Affordable homes for rent café or pub and community facilities. town centre easy to reach by public and sale help meet demand and contribute to improving the area. It benefits from good connections on transport. The new centre is a place The new homes are built in carefully selected locations: in the foot and by bike to the other parts of where residents choose to meet, go to neighbourhood ‘heart’ and, where possible, on small neglected sites the neighbourhood. The higher density the shops and visit the doctor. It may across the estate. These new homes will: of homes in the new heart provides a also provide new work space, providing • help relieve overcrowding concentration of residents that helps vitality and employment. It is a well- support shops and services, and designed place with a strong sense of • provide a wider mix of sizes and tenures generates enough footfall to create a community pride. sense of safety and to help deter anti- • enable long term residents and their families to remain in the area social behaviour. as their circumstances change

Heathland • contribute to sustaining local schools, shops and other facilities protection zone Cala Domus – Newhall, Harlow • improve the appearance of streets and the feeling of safety in them • provide ‘planning gain’ contributions (through Section 106 or the Community Infrastructure Levy) for environmental improvements to the roads and open spaces • contribute to the new homes the Council needs to deliver through Heathland protection the Planning system zone The exclusion zone around the heathland sites allows development around the new ‘heart’ of the neighbourhood, subject to Planning constraints. Outside of the heathland exclusion zone, or where its restrictions could be waived for limited development, garage courts, alleyways and ‘left-over’ spaces may also be suitable for housing. Developing these sites would offer opportunities to repair Cometa, High Wycombe the fractured streetscape and improve the adjacent pedestrian New shopping parade in Thornhill, Southampton, completed in 2012 A spatial framework is needed for the new routes and open spaces. Only developments that make a positive The facilities include shops, library, community centre, raised tables to slow heart, to establish how and where new facilities contribution to their locality should be taken forward. traffic and create a step free environment for pedestrians. are provided and what form the new buildings and spaces take (see section 5) 48 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 49

03 A destination park PRINCIPLES

One of the larger open spaces in West Natural play Howe is transformed into an attractive new park for people of all ages and Well-designed ‘playable’ spaces can provide a range of abilities to meet, relax and enjoy a opportunities for relaxation, socialising, informal recreation, variety of physical and social activities. adult and children’s play and access to nature. Rather The new park is close to the new ‘heart’ than prescribing specific movements with play equipment, and is easily reached on foot or by bike natural features create opportunities for more explorative, imaginative and challenging play and allow children of from all parts of the neighbourhood. Equipment designed with input different ages and abilities to play together in different ways. from young residents and artists Children and young people should be involved in the design Brunswick Estate, London Designing the new park to serve larger and construction of these spaces. numbers of users will take pressure off the protected healthland sites and provide for a wider range of healthy activities.

A creative approach may be needed to fund the park. Initiating this project and securing funding for it will be crucial early steps in realising the Vision for © Jane Sebire Radnor Street Gardens, St James’ Park, Southampton, re-designed 2012 West Howe. London, re-designed 2009

“Green space is a public resource with a proven track record in improving people’s health, but too many local green spaces remain unused” -Community green: using local spaces to tackle inequality and Spa Fields play area, London, improve health, CABE (2010)` Play for all ages re-designed 2009 Radnor Street Gardens , London 2009 Example of natural play Community Cafe in St James’ Park, Southampton 50 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 51

04 Improvements to streets 05 “Grot Spots” improvement programme PRINCIPLES

A ‘grot spots’ improvement gym’, providing exercise and offering “Walking is the most programme transforms derelict or the opportunity to develop horticultural accessible physical underused spaces, to improve the skills. activity, and already function and appearance of the area. the most popular. This initiative could be undertaken Walking is a free, This could involve a motivated group through a social enterprise like West gentle, low impact of people, such as a team of local Howe Community Enterprises, enabling activity that requires volunteers, regularly undertaking it to attract funding from a variety of no special training activities including: sources. It could consider taking on or equipment. • picking up litter responsibility for the planting in the new Petersfield Malta Street, London Promoting Walking park, maintaining green spaces across • cutting back overgrown hedges Street improvements to make walking more appealing and slow traffic: pavement is a ‘best buy’ both the wider area, or looking after private widening, highway narrowing, raised tables and consistent materials at crossing for health and active and planting gardens where residents are not able to points to indicate pedestrian priority travel. Schemes to • sweeping leaves and rubbish from maintain them themselves. provide improved Artist led pop-up projects in Streets across West Howe are As part of the Implementation paths local walking and disused spaces, Dublin improved to provide safer, greener Plan (see section 5), a Streets cycling routes • planting and maintaining bulbs, routes, particularly for people travelling Improvement Plan is needed, typically have wildflowers or other plants by foot and bike. showing what interventions are benefit-to-cost ratios required and where, with priorities of 20:1, considerably • reporting issues e.g. fly tipping, and indicative costs. West Howe’s wide streets present higher than road or broken street lights or dog fouling good opportunities to incorporate rail schemes, which A community co-ordinator leads safer step free crossings, better Over time, this will enable the streets typically have ratios this team and organises events, lighting, improved drainage, new to better meet the needs of those of 3:1” with input from the CCG and the street trees and cycle lanes. Streets on foot, including young, older and Council’s Public Health team. are reconfigured to better provide disabled people, and to encourage -Walking Works, Public on-street parking and to reduce traffic cycling. A Streets Improvement Health England speeds. To encourage participation, the Plan will allow funding to be sought Community orchard planting, Weston Super Mare for implementation, based on a clear activities are linked with social events set of interventions and priorities. and can be promoted as a ‘green 52 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 53

Making use of spaces around Applying the principles 06 blocks of flats PRINCIPLES Ongoing engagement The people of West Howe are engaged in the from Housing Landlord Services. The spaces around flats – which are development of regeneration proposals and in the Community input – potentially from currently paved, tarmacked, grassed longer term care and maintenance of the area. They residents’ groups in each block of or planted – are brought to life with are empowered and supported to initiate and run new flats – will also be essential. carefully designed landscaping and services and ventures, such as businesses, community ongoing gardening and maintenance. gardens or walking clubs. The spaces are transformed into places “Less than 1 per cent of those living where children can play, neighbours in social housing reported using the can meet, and people can grow food green spaces in the housing estate Good design and get exercise. they live in. This may be due to concerns about safety, lack of access, The Vision principles depend on being realised through To ensure that the new landscapes in or poor quality.” good design: buildings, streets and green spaces that these spaces succeed for the long- -Community green: using local spaces meet users’ needs, that enable people to lead more term, some external resources will to tackle inequality and improve health, neighbourly and active lives, and that are resilient to be needed, such as a community CABE (2010)` societal and economic change. gardener, together with support The design of the physical environment can encourage New entrace, lighting and seating people to be more active and have more positive Gambier House EC1, London interactions with the people around them – both factors that reduce people’s risk of lifestyle-related diseases and early death. Looking through the lens of ‘health’, we can identify the following principles of good design in a neighbourhood like West Howe. © Jane Sebire

Brunswick Estate EC1, London Wenlake Estate EC1, London Wenlake Estate, London 54 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 55

Reasons to get out and about Play, leisure and sport z z z Places that invite everyone – young and old, fit and frail – to get outside and z • Accessible facilities, shops with fresh and healthy food, a café and outdoor z z z z meeting places exercise, whether through formal sport like football or informal activities such as walking. Ways to achieve this include: • Places to meet, talk, eat, play and engage in communal activities. Facilities • Opportunities for exercise and incidental play within easy walking reach of all include green spaces, community centre, school and surgery homes Reasons to get Play, leisure out and about and sports • A range of play opportunities that offer enjoyment and challenge for people of all Getting around ages and abilities • Streets that prioritise pedestrians, then cyclists, then vehicles, to encourage • Spacious areas that are safe for children to play in and family-friendly paths people of all ages and abilities to walk or cycle for short journeys of 5-20 minutes through green spaces. These encourage kids to play for longer and more • Step-free pavements and crossings energetically • Creative features that offer more than just play, such as climbable art installations z z • Places that are not threatened by speeding cars z z or interactive water features • Easy access to public transport, places of work, the town centre, the beach and sports, leisure and education facilities • At least one central area that is serviced with water and electricity, so that it can host community events • Paths through green areas that allow people in and connect to the street network Getting around to encourage more enjoyable walking • Comfortable seating at regular intervals to help make walking feasible for people who are frail Homes that connect • A layout of buildings, open spaces and streets and clear, safe routes that makes z z Nature and nurture z z getting around easy and pleasant

• Access toz z attractive green places that encourage people to exercise outdoors z z • Direct connections between the centre of the neighbourhood and the areas and benefit from the feel good factor of contact with nature around it, so that it is the natural first choice for reaching shops, services and • Planting that gives colour and variation through the seasons, to lift the spirits entertainment. This generates a critical mass of activity to sustain those facilities Homes that • Opportunities for growing food and flowers close to home connect • Clear and comfortable pedestrian connections to those facilities that are away Nature and nurture from the centre, such as Heathlands School • Opportunities to help maintain green spaces 56 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 57

A pleasant environment at a human scale • A mix of uses, particularly in the neighbourhood ‘heart’, to ensure activity at different times of the day and week • Well maintained streets and public spaces that feel safe - with activity, lighting and overlooking to deter anti-social behaviour and crime • Entrances, doors and windows that face directly on to public spaces such as streets and parks. Front gardens can be a good way to create a buffer between the street and homes • Boundaries that create a positive sense of identity and a clear definition of what is private, public and communal, without excessive railings and gates that often look hostile 5 min walking radius • Character: architecture, materials and features that relate to the area’s location, history and use • Simple, robust, durable design that stands the test of time and is cost effective over the long-term - in terms of construction and maintenance

Topography encourages informal play, Spa Butts Green, Warrington Planting in re-designed gardens Map used during Visioning Festival, 21-22 Nov 2014 Fields, London EC1, London 2007 58 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 59

“...it opened my eyes on what we normally take for granted... through these exercises over the last few months we have lifted the curtain and seen just where these good and bad points are... this time we have gone out there and seen for ourselves West Howe’s problems...this time we can all work together, make a list of what needs doing and help find funding to help make our dreams come true in making West Howe a better place to live and enjoy.” 05 Jeff Coombs, Ambassador Next steps 60 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 61

Implementation Plan An Implementation Plan is required to translate the Vision and regeneration • improved health and wellbeing for residents principles in this report into a series of deliverable projects. It will identify which projects, large and small, can be achieved in the short, medium and long term. • a neighbourhood centre that is sustainable economically, socially and Together they will realise the Vision to transform West Howe. environmentally • shops and facilities that are viable, with sufficient population to support them The Implementation Plan will set out the following for each project: • a more neighbourly place which feels safe >> The brief: the project’s purpose, scope and location(s) • excellent connections to the wider area, to encourage travel on foot and by bike >> The funding mechanism, based on a viability study where appropriate • successful relationships with other projects being taken forward to achieve the >> The activities required for successful implementation. This includes Indicative development phasing Vision commissioning a design team for the ‘Heart’. potential phase 1 The spatial framework will explore: >> The parties involved and the responsibilities for delivery potential phase 2 • which new uses and activities should be provided for (e.g. homes, shops, play >> How community engagement will be incorporated into the planning, design space), with the resilience to accommodate change over time and implementation phases • the spatial form of the buildings, spaces and uses, including potential re-use or re- >> The timescale for delivery configuration of existing buildings >> The management and maintenance requirements • where the destination park will be and how it will be accessed >> How the impacts of the project will be captured • funding sources and mechanisms – for construction and for on-going maintenance >> Any other activities or considerations required for delivery This will generate drawn options, with outline costs, for consideration by the WHRP.

The Implementation Plan should be prepared by a multi-disciplinary team working closely with the community and the Council. The projects in the Plan should be developed in conjunction with one another, to ensure maximum efficiency, value for money and benefit for residents, new and existing.

A spatial framework for the ‘Heart’ The Implementation Plan will include a spatial framework for the ‘Heart’: a 10-15 year framework to guide the transformation of West Howe’s neighbourhood centre, including the new homes, shops, facilities, central street improvements and the new destination park. The purpose of the spatial framework is to ensure that the Indicative sketch showing how the spatial key moves made to create the new ‘Heart’ achieve following: framework for the ‘Heart’ might look 62 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 63

Small-scale interventions Mechanisms for delivery

Some small-scale improvements to the estate can be made while the The successful regeneration of West Howe will depend on clear and Implementation Plan is being prepared, to maintain the project’s momentum. effective structures and ways of working, including: These smaller transformations could be a first step towards realising several of the regeneration principles in the Vision, although the big gains for health will come Leadership - implementing the Vision will need impetus and drive from from implementing the major projects. Effective resourcing, careful design and Members and senior officers community involvement are essential for these small interventions to help ensure success and avoid risks of early failure. Governance – an experienced project board of a manageable size is needed to make decisions to enable the ‘Heart’ and other projects to Drawing on the evidence shown in the community evaluation maps (see section move forward. The West Howe Regeneration Partnership is expected to 3), potential small interventions include: perform this role

• Bulb planting, expanding the planting work of the Moore Avenue Park Community A strong delivery team - with the expertise and drive to make great Group changes happen on the ground • Providing features for informal play along streets Commitment to long-term success - to ensure that improving people’s • Installing seating along paths and in green spaces lives in West Howe remains at the core of decision-making during project delivery. This means responding to issues and designing in quality and • An exercise or green space activity club resilience at every stage • Providing lighting in well used alleyways Partnership working - collaboration across Council departments and • Improving the frontage to Henry Brown Youth Centre with stakeholders and the community will underpin successful delivery. Effective communication is needed to build and sustain trust through all • Repairing drainage along footpaths liable to flooding stages of the projects • Installing signage and distance markers to encourage walking e.g. along the Heathlands Walk Resident engagement - to ensure that changes to the estate respond to local needs, and to empower residents in the process of regeneration • Providing crossings and install signage to Turbary Common • Well located, user friendly seating A flexible approach - to respond to opportunities as they arise, such as new funding sources • Junction improvements and a new crossing to improve access to Poole Lane Park 64 West Howe : A Vision for physical regeneration Active by Design 65

Design Council/Cabe’s brief was to work with local people to develop a Vision for West To proceed with the regeneration of West Howe, we recommend that the following actions be taken: Howe’s physical regeneration. From its inception it was conceived as a partnership between:

• Formal approval of this report by the West Howe Regeneration Partnership and BBC • West Howe Partnership Board • Sue Bickler, Head of Community Regeneration at Bournemouth Borough Council • Commission the Implementation Plan • Martha Searle, Neighbourhood Development Officer, Bournemouth Borough Council • Establish the mechanisms for delivery of the Implementation Plan • Design Council/Cabe staff (Lisa Woo, Nicola Mathers and Rachel Toms) and Built Environment Experts (Liz Kessler, Phil Heaton and Atam Verdi) • Local Ambassadors: Daryl Venner, Jeff Coombs, Lynn Laird, Mikala James, Sam Whelan, Neil Godfrey, Mike Goodhew, Sue Johnson, Mark Burgess, Christine Bates, Leonora Spearpoint, Karen Terry • Special thanks to: Martha Searle for bringing people together and making things happen, the young people and staff at the Henry Brown Youth Centre, children and staff at Heathlands School, the West Howe Players for kindly sharing their pantomime with us, the team at West Howe Library, Agrumi Topiary Company for lending us the ‘green dinosaur’, North Bournemouth Area Forum, Ted Taylor, staff at Housing Landlord Services, the team of volunteers at West Howe Community Enterprises and everyone who took the time to stop “I didn’t have a clue what it was about at the beginning, it sounded interesting and I just felt and give their views. encouraged to participate and to help have a say on what happens in West Howe. The hardest thing to conquer was doing the presentation in December to all the Partnership group but I got more confidence being involved and I understand things more as a result. Our day trip to Southampton was a real eye opener on how different areas have different ideas on regeneration. It’s not always about the money – it’s about what the community can do too. I think the residents are encouraged that there is going to be improvement. Volunteering this last 5 months, and especially the ambassador role, I feel like I fit in this community now. I’ve never felt like I fit in somewhere before. It has given me a lot more confidence and I feel stronger – I can’t wait to see what each new day brings.” Lynn Laird, Ambassador