ExecutiveE (Cabinet) Item No

Date: 8 MARCH 2004

Portfolio: Title of report: Health and Environment Cultural Quarter / Living Quarter Directorate: Project Update Community Services

Author/Contact Officer: Tim Miles Head of Cultural Services

1. Recommendations

1.1 That the Executive note the content of this report.

1.2 That the Executive endorse the project objectives.

2. Summary and Purpose

2.1 To inform members of the progress of the Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter concept, and the Visioning exercise currently being undertaken.

2.2 The Authority in partnership with Northampton County Council have secured funding from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) for this work to be carried out.

2.3 Northampton Borough Council as recipients of the grant are responsible for the delivery of the project. The funding agreement requires the project to be st completed by 31 March, clearly a tight time scale.

2.4 A project brief has been prepared and expressions of interest from suitable consultants sought. Three consultancies have been interviewed and the ‘Big Architecture’, part of the Alsop Group, has been appointed.

2.5 A Cultural Strategy for Northampton 2004-2009 recognised the town’s unique range of heritage, arts, sports and open spaces within the heart of Northampton, and the importance of raising the profile of our cultural provision within the notion of a ‘Cultural Quarter’. The concept of a Northampton Cultural Quarter is already recognised in the draft Milton Keynes South Midlands 3. (MKSM)Culture inSub Northampton Regional Strategy, providing a key policy objective to support revitalisation of central Northampton to meet the potential market demand for cultural attractions an quality homes in a rapidly growing town.

3. Culture in Northampton

3.1 It is already recognised that Northampton hosts a number of unique venues within the town (The Royal Theatre, Derngate, Northampton Museum and Art Gallery, Roadmender, , Mounts Baths, Guildhall, All Saints Church, Central Library and a range of quality restaurants, café-bars and clubs), the development of a distinct cultural identity will support the growth, collaborative marketing and economic sustainability of this exciting, vibrant and innovative sector. This refocusing of the town creates more opportunities to enhance the built environment through urban design and public art initiatives.

4. The Creative Economy

4.1 Culture contributes significantly to the economy at a local, regional and national level. The creative industries have an annual turnover of around £60 billion and employ more than 1.4 million people; and in terms of “cultural tourism”, in Northampton alone it is estimated that there are over half a million visitors (out of an overall total of 1.3 million annual visits), and the major cultural facilities in the town attract huge audiences (for example, Northampton Saints RUFC registered a total of 170,000 spectators at home games for the 2002/03 season; and

4.2 The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) recognise the close economic relationships with other sectors such as tourism, hospitality, heritage and sport. It is important therefore that we work to sustain and retain creative talent within Northampton, and this can be achieved through clear partnership working (eg. Regional Development Agency, Cultural Consortium, Arts Council etc.) and the recognition of the contribution of creative/cultural activity to the local economy. For example Festivals and Events are important parts of the growing cultural tourism sector and support the retention of artists within the heart of the community.

4.3 The “Local Government and the Arts: A vision for partnership” (Arts Council England, March 2003), agreed 3 goals in relation to the creative economy:

• to develop targeted local facilities and services such as incubation units and managed workspace, new ways of providing finance, business support, career-long professional development and networks, appropriate to the needs of creative people and small businesses. • To create new approaches to regeneration that ensure long term retention of individual artists and creative industries within the heart of successful communities. • To appreciate better the economic role of the Arts within Councils and other regional partners.

5. Sub-Regional Context

5.1 The Milton Keynes and South Midlands Study has identified five growth areas for future housing and economic development, Northampton being one.

2 5.2 The draft Sub-Regional Strategy proposed that Northampton will accommodate up to 29,400 dwellings by 2021. It recognises the need to strengthen Northampton’s role and function as a Principal Urban Area, including revitalising the central area as a high priority. This includes ‘Developing Cultural / Heritage tourism by enhancing the existing cultural heritage facilities and attractions, and through the provision of new facilities to foster a cultural quarter, to be located to the south-east of the central area.

5.3 The Government’s Action Programme ‘Sustainable Communities : Building for the Future’ (ODPM February 2003) considers that if we are to deliver national, regional and local aspirations for the growth areas, new delivery mechanisms will be required to co-ordinate, focus and drive forward major new developments, maximising funding sources.

6. Northampton Local Plan

6.1 The Northampton Local Plan was adopted in June 1997. The plan is to revise this year under the new planning system as a Local Development Document. the current policy, investment and delivery climate in Northampton, set within the context of the Government’s Sustainable Community Plan growth aspirations, presents a unique and exciting opportunity. High quality sustainable development is a fundamental principle, including social, economic and environmental infrastructure, as well as high quality and sustainable design, providing an overall quality of life.

6.2 There are a number of major developments being undertaken, which include the SCP regeneration projects and , Harvey Reeves Road and Ransome Road, which is further linked to the Nunn Mills / Avon sites. These developments will generate several thousand dwellings, office accommodation and community facilities. The proposed Grosvenor / Greyfriars redevelopment provides a major town centre redevelopment and the opportunity to stimulate further investment in the central area.

7. River Nene Regional Park

7.1 In July 2003, the Government published its first progress report on the SCP ‘Creating Sustainable Communities: Making it Happen’. The report highlighted the Government’s commitment to creating new green space as a crucial element of sustainable communities, including high quality parks and public space. The report recognised the Rive Nene Regional Park (RNRP) proposal as an opportunity of potentially national significance, with the potential to create a green resource benefiting leisure, tourism, biodiversity and sustainable economic development. ODPM funding is supporting the RNRP proposal and a feasibility study is currently underway (due to report end March 2004).

7.2 The River Nene is a key feature within the town of Northampton but one which has yet to be fully optimised. It has become the focus for significant regeneration, and linkages with the town centre are being enhanced. However, key opportunities and further improvements have still to come forward and be realised. The urban waterfront and surrounding area will fall within the RNRP.

3 The opportunities provided by this need to be considered in the context of developing a Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter for Northampton.

8. Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter Project Description

8.1 The project aims to develop an inspired and world class Vision for a Cultural and Living Quarter within a key central area of Northampton, with the development of a strategic development framework to support its delivery. The project area, which lies between the River Nene and the Heart of the town centre, has significant potential and provides a key opportunity to strengthen Northampton’s role, function and status not only at the local level but within the region, nationally and on the international stage.

8.2 Northampton is one of two Growth Areas in Northamptonshire, as designated in the Sustainable Communities Plan Sustainable Communities: Building for the Future (ODPM, February 2003). This presents a unique and dynamic opportunity to harness the energy of sustainable growth and revitalisation to create an innovative and vibrant vision which can come to life in a new Northampton Cultural and Living Quarter benefiting local people, businesses and visitors alike.

9. Project Objectives

9.1 The key objectives in developing the Vision and Strategic Development Framework for its delivery are:

♦ To define the extend of the Cultural and Living Quarter area which in broad terms runs between the River Nene and the core town centre. ♦ To establish core values, key principles, and aspirations underpinning the Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter concept. ♦ To identify critical success factors to achieve the step change necessary to achieve world-class recognition. ♦ To present an inspired Vision for the Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter ♦ To consider the areas function, relationship, linkages and cross reference other cultural developments ♦ To identify and evaluate key restraints and risks, existing strengths and new opportunities ♦ To consider the potential market catchment, demand and marketing potential ♦ To inspire innovation and embrace high quality design ♦ To prepare an innovative concept design scheme proposal ♦ To consider funding and resource requirements to deliver the scheme and possible sources ♦ To prepare a strategic development framework, including consideration of implementation, phasing and delivery strategy ♦ To articulate how specific proposals will fit the wider context, in terms of the overall cultural dynamic that Northampton needs to foster in the context of sustainable communities.

10. ‘Big Architecture’ the approach

10.1 The project has been planned in three stages.

4 10.2 Stage One Big Ideas – understanding aspirations and requirements. Individual meetings with the project co-ordinators and key stakeholders. Workshop one to explore Northampton’s unique assets and defining the vision for the Cultural development of Northampton with Steering Group members.

10.3 Stage Two Sacrificial Proposal – workshop two (27th February) will present to some 60+ key people and stakeholders some initial proposals / options for a development framework, to create reaction, criticism and debate.

A further Councillor’s Seminar is planned (date T.B.C) to fully engage with member’s views.

10.4 Stage Three Articulate and Deliver – During March the team will be putting flesh on the basic framework and prepare a refined solution and development strategy. The project will culminate in the ‘Big Event’ (27th March) to be hosted in an usual location. The Event will allow the public the opportunity to explore the proposed unique Northampton experience for a Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter in various media.

10.5 Final Report The output from stage 1-3 is about evolving a dialogue, building awareness of and commitment to the Cultural Quarter and Living Quarter concept amongst local stakeholders, decision makers, senior politicians, the general public and relevant media.

In keeping with the creative process of this project the Strategic Framework report will take the form of a book and a short film (DVD).

11. Conclusion

11.1 The word unique has been used a number of times in this report, but this project does present a unique opportunity to explore the synergies between different development initiatives. To work on a collective approach to the future development of the Town. To create a strategic framework for the delivery of quality Cultural facilities that will strengthen Northampton’s role, function and status not only locally, but as a regional, national and international destination.

12. Resource Implications

12.1 All costs regarding this project will be met within the ODMP grant.

12.2 Future Funding Opportunities - Officers are currently progressing additional funding from EMDA to support further cultural development and enhancement. This funding has been approved in principle subject to final project specifications.

5 13. Social Impact

13.1 The outputs from this project clearly link to the 7 themes identified within the Community Strategy and Cultural Strategy with particular reference to:

• Strengthening the economic base • Promoting Leisure and Cultural Opportunities • Engaging with Communities

14. Consultation

14.1 Consultation is being carried out with a wide range of people and organisations as part of this project.

Northamptonshire County Council Northamptonshire Partnership Future Northampton Group NBC Planning and Regeneration Strategic Resources Northampton Theatres / Roadmender Town Centre Partnership Arts Council Arts, Sports and Heritage organisations General Public

15. Background Papers

Cultural Strategy for Northampton Project Brief for Consultants Funding application to ODPM Big Architecture project submission MKSM Study

16. Author

Tim Miles Head of Cultural Services Tel: 838983

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