Power Court, Luton
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POWER COURT, LUTON Statement of Community Involvement Prepared by Indigo Public Affairs November 2005 Submitted on behalf of Domaine Development Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ballymore Properties Ltd Power Court, Luton – Ballymore Properties Ltd Statement of Community Involvement Introduction This report has been compiled by specialist community consultation company, Indigo, on behalf of Domaine Developments Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Ballymore Properties Ltd. The purpose of this report is to set down the Community Engagement Strategy for this development, what people said and how Ballymore Properties Ltd has learnt and responded to their comments and involvement. Power Court is currently a light industrial area which has been identified as a area for regeneration along with the adjacent Hat Factory area in the David Locke Masterplan. The consultation was focussed on the changes to the site and all aspects of our proposals including; retail, residential, landscaping, transport, community facilities and design. Our starting point was that it is vital to consult as widely as possible on every aspect of our development. This is essential to ensure that our final proposals effectively meet the aspirations of people living and working in Luton. Working together with all members of the client team, we have undertaken an extensive local consultation over the last fourteen months with all levels of stakeholders from community leaders, community groups, businesses, and residents through to elected representatives and other interested parties. We have directly contacted over 15,000 households in the LU1, LU2, LU3, LU4 and LU5 postal areas of Luton. Furthermore a three day exhibition was held at Park Square in Luton Town Centre which attracted over 1000 local residents, key stakeholders and councillors. In line with the Government’s latest guidelines, consultation has been strategically planned and firmly integrated with project development. We have used a process of consultation, underpinned by five principles, which ensure transparency, understanding and participation throughout the process. Those principles, which are present in every round of consultation, are: Notification of the consultation and development process Information about the plan Analysis of feedback Response to feedback Publication of the amended plans The submission of the planning application marks the end of this consultation process; however community involvement will continue to be actively encouraged hereafter. 1. How we consulted and who we targeted During the consultation process, an information leaflet containing a feedback form was sent out to local residents (attached at appendix 1). The leaflet contained a freephone telephone number (free from a landline) for residents to contact the team. The feedback form included a freepost address. Over 15,000 leaflets were sent out to Luton residents, this included the central area, High Town, Farley Hill, New Town, Park Town and Biscot areas of Luton. These leaflets gave details of the plans, invited residents, stakeholders, elected representatives and other interest groups to the local exhibition and provided an opportunity to express comments on all aspects of the proposals via the comprehensive feedback form. We also advertised our proposals and exhibition in Luton News, Luton on Sunday and the LutonLine free paper. A three day exhibition was held in a exhibition trailer at Park Square in the pedestrianised area of Luton town centre. It took place from Thursday 20 January 2005 – Saturday 22 January 2005 inclusive. Extra leaflets and a contact number were provided in Luton Town Hall and at St Mary’s Church. We have now expanded our consultation by talking to local interest groups and stakeholders about the scheme in more detail, answering key questions and using their views to develop our scheme. Specific groups and individuals consulted include: ¾ St Mary’s Church ¾ Luton Irish Forum ¾ Luton Borough Council ¾ Luton Chamber Business SAC ¾ Luton University ¾ Margaret Moran MP ¾ Luton Town Centre Forum ¾ High Town Trust ¾ The Prudential ¾ The Art’s Council ¾ South Bedfordshire County Council ¾ Luton Carnival Development Trust ¾ Declan Duggan Golf Academy ¾ Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) ¾ English Partnerships 2. What we told people The leaflet distributed to local residents and interest groups was comprehensive and crucial in raising local awareness of the proposals and consultation. The leaflet also provided significant information to the local area regarding the detail of the plan and dealt with a wide range of details including: • An introduction to Ballymore and the development, including the main principles of the scheme • A bullet point summary of the proposals • An overview image of Luton Town Centre with details of how our proposals intend to complement the existing developments and areas • Information on the retail aspect of the development • Information on the landscaping and environmental considerations of our scheme • Details of the housing aspect of the development • A detailed overview of the proposal including a key, highlighting important areas • Three indicative images of the proposals, showing the illustrative design • A panoramic view of the proposals, highlighting how the development could be incorporated to complement the surrounding area, including St Mary’s Church • A feedback questionnaire, with one open and one closed question: Do you support the proposals for Power Court Yes Yes, with reservations No Don’t know Please add your comments or suggestions below • Details of the three day exhibition • A FREEPHONE telephone number for further information • A FREEPOST return address for the questionnaire. • A translation box, offering Urdu, Bengali, Punjabi and Gujarati. The exhibition included 10 detailed boards (see appendix 2), a model of the proposals incorporating the surrounding town centre area. 3. What people said We had a wide range of people who responded to the exhibition and sent feedback forms, ranging from school children, local councillors, local businesses, prospective shop owners, council officers and the local media. At the request of several residents, we translated the leaflet into Bengali and Gujarati. The team has always actively sought and welcomed feedback and suggestions. At the heart of our approach has been our commitment to analyse that feedback, explore the possibilities raised from comments and examine possible amendments together with the whole development team. There has been a steady flow of feedback forms received back from residents before and after the exhibition as well as contact through our telephone hotline. We have received 739 feedback forms, through the post and at the three day exhibition. The appendix at the back of this report shows where these feedback cards came from. The broad results are as follows:- Question Number Yes Yes with Don’t No received reservations know Do you support the proposals for Power Court 739 550 115 41 33 (74%) (16%) (6%) (4%) margin of error of ±3.5% (assuming a random sample). Don't know No Yes with 6% 4% reservations Pie chart showing response to 16% consultation question “Do you support the proposals for power Court” Yes 74% Below is a comprehensive summary of major comments made both at the exhibition and through the FREEPOST feedback forms: Demand for new shops o The overwhelming majority of people at the exhibition said the proposals were good as there was a real need in Luton for more high quality retail shops in the town centre that were not the same as in the Arndale. o They thought it would improve the image of Luton and the restaurants and shops would bring life into the town centre. o Only a very small proportion (mainly those opposing the scheme) said they did not feel there was a need for more shopping in Luton. o A small, but significant, minority of people asked whether the development would include a supermarket. o A number of people specifically asked for John Lewis to be present in the shopping centre. The Arndale Centre o A number mentioned that the Arndale needs redeveloping. Although some feared for the future of the Arndale, others said that the Arndale could do with more competition. o The issue about whether there was an option to link the Arndale Centre and the Power Court development to each other via a bridge or some other means was raised often. This came particularly from elderly and disabled people, but also from other members of the public. o Visitors to the exhibition also asked whether the Arndale Centre would be upgraded. o A number of comments were made along the lines of “It better not be another Arndale Centre” referring to the poor state and quality of shops there. Transport o People were generally very happy with the concept of removing St Mary’s Road, and replacing it with a pedestrian-friendly space. Some were concerned about the safety of pedestrians along Church Street if buses and taxis could still pass down the road. o There was concern about the volume of traffic within Luton generally. o There was concern about safety for those people who used the new car park late at night. o Several comments were made about the need to enable vehicles to adequately service the Hat Factory area. o Parking for disabled people was mentioned as a requirement. o People were concerned about whether the bus access would be close to the development for disabled shoppers. o A number of concerns from residents close to the new ring road were expressed about the possible adverse effect that this new road would have of them. o Many people asked if the development would also result in an upgrade to the railway station. St Mary’s Church o Residents are, on the whole, supportive of opening up the front Church yard o There is a general feeling that the Churchyards are currently suffering from neglect. o They are keen on the ideas of lighting, but would like to know who will have to pay for the installation and electricity bills.