Engagement strategy

Our collaborative vision for a Garden Town ...a place of great expectations Our heritage and our long-term transformational vision

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collaborative approach, we have now submitted a K formal application to the Government to include the connectivity Wisbech on their Garden Communities programme. The infrastructure game-changers are seen as: A transformational vision that offers a scale of 1. The reopening of 8 miles of rail line between growth that is aligned to community, housing, retail, Wisbech and March. Phase 1 is a shuttle service business, education, health, leisure, and environmental to March and Phase 2 a direct service to aspirations. A bold and ambitious concept for delivering within 55 minutes travel time. sustained economic prosperity for future generations. 2. The A47 becoming a dual carriageway between The level of investment in the Wisbech 2020 Vision to Wisbech and offering both date demonstrates the confidence that is starting to improved capacity and safer journeys. build. Further technical appraisal work and funding applications are continuing to gain momentum: 3. A first class digital broadband capability for community and business alike. · £6.5million of funding for rail/road infrastructure and flood resilience appraisal work; 4. A new footbridge and cycle way connecting green space with the town centre and · £1.9million of funding for High Street transport interchanges. regeneration work; · £10.5million of funding for local highway improvements that are aligned to the Garden Town proposals; · Significant investment in technical skills development and educational attainment; · Refurbishment and reopening of the Wisbech Castle; · Enhanced community facilities; · Funding for Growing Fenland Project and alignment to the rich cultural heritage. These activities demonstrate a significant step forward in progressing the opportunity for a transformational Wisbech Garden Town. Building on the legacy of the Garden City principles, this proposal is defined by ensuring connectivity between new development and existing to create transformational growth for the town as a whole. The scale of growth proposed looks to maximise economic and social benefits. It will draw on the latest thinking on innovation, place creation and shift perceptions around typical housing delivery.

Wisbech Garden town aspirations are fully aligned to the wider Transport Strategy and recently published CPIER report. Wisbech – Historic Town, Garden Town, Connected Town Improved connectivity is a key component of the urban regeneration outlined in the Wisbech Garden Town proposal. It currently takes 120 minutes to get from Wisbech to Cambridge by public transport and 100 minutes by car – the two areas are only 30 miles apart. Improved connectivity will provide enhanced access to employment and education for Wisbech residents, help to take the heat out of the Cambridge housing market and create a new east - west economic corridor. IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY IN WISBECH

RAIL ROAD OTHER METHODS OF TRAVEL/DIGITAL Restoration of the Wisbech to Dualling of the A47 – A new Improved cycle lanes and other Cambridge rail link Economic Corridor modes of green transport. Upgraded digital fibre network.

Opens up employment, Improved vehicle capacity, Reduced carbon emissions and education, leisure and residential faster and safer journeys improved health. Better digital opportunities - in both between Wisbech and communications. directions. Peterborough/A1(M) .

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T E Architectural design of new K sustainable and resilient housing Wisbech has a wealth of fine and elegant Thinking to the future, incorporating climate change Georgian architecture. The ‘Brinks’ have been resilience, energy efficiency, water efficiency and described as one of the finest examples in sustainable environments are equally important to . It has a unique history and heritage. the individual house design characteristics. Our ambition is to see these assets and their character preserved for future generations. The new architectural design themes for the Wisbech Garden Town will be an important decision and one that requires extensive community involvement. There will be an opportunity to consider these design options as part of the consultation phase planned for the summer 2019. Designs will take account of examples such as the A combination of traditional English market town development in Poundbury, West Dorset, alongside character aligned to latest construction techniques/ locally distinctive influences. materials is perhaps a way forward. The proposals in more detail A bid has been submitted to Government for Wisbech to join the Garden Communities programme. In summary the proposal includes: · Template for creating a climate · A transformational vision with change resilient town for the future; economic benefits for the whole town; · The possibility of a barrage on the River · An exemplar of innovation, spatial Nene to combat uncertainty regarding planning and integrated thinking; sea-level rise and provide increased utilisation of the river as an asset; · Wide public consultation on the IMPROVING CONNECTIVITY IN WISBECH detail of the proposals, ensuring the · Alignment to the wider growth strategy local character is retained; for Cambridgeshire through the Non-Statutory Spatial Framework, RAIL ROAD OTHER METHODS · A future that supports a sustainable the Housing Strategy, the local OF TRAVEL/DIGITAL local community; Transport Plan, the Skills Strategy · 13,200 new homes to be built over and a Funding and Finance strategy; Restoration of the Wisbech to Dualling of the A47 – A new Improved cycle lanes and other the next 40 years; Cambridge rail link Economic Corridor modes of green transport. · The upgrading of the East West A47 · 11,000 new jobs; Upgraded digital fibre network. economic corridor; · Phased new schools and community · Developing the town as a tourist facilities located within the suburban destination; growth extensions; · High quality design; · Stimulated economic growth with · Raising the towns profile as a great agri-business a key sector; place to live, study and work. Opens up employment, Improved vehicle capacity, Reduced carbon emissions and · New skills and training opportunities; education, leisure and residential faster and safer journeys improved health. Better digital · A regenerated town centre; opportunities - in both between Wisbech and communications. · An extended business park targetting Promoting the towns directions. Peterborough/A1(M) . many new skilled employment opportunities; unique heritage · Significantly improved green public Peckover House (NT), Elgoods transport, particularly via a reopened Brewery, the home of Octavia Hill, rail link; the recently reopened Castle and of course the Museum. DID YOU KNOW? The original Charles Dickens Great Expectations manuscript HE CO T N

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‘great expectations for Wisbech’. T E K

Creating a template for climate change resilience for the future Two years of study with Dutch consultants have helped us to explore A new country park innovative and comprehensive options across a 200 year horizon HE CO T N

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in the heart of the town looking into the future. T E The proposed Wisbech Country K Park would be located in the heart of the town and designed as a multifunctional public space. Partly for surface water attenuation, partly for leisure and partly for new woodland. It would create a

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environment for all to enjoy. Y T E K The Wisbech 2020 Vision story so far…… The Wisbech 2020 Vision is a joint initiative led by the Leaders of Wisbech Town Council, Fenland District Council and Cambridgeshire County Council who are joined by the local Member of Since the Wisbech 2020 was launched Parliament to form the Core Vision Group. in January 2013 we have seen: The Core Vision Group is supported by a Steering · investment in skills training for young people, Group of officers from local organisations. including a £7.2m Technology Centre opened at They recognise the need to work together at both the College of West Anglia a strategic and delivery level to make the most · extensive lobbying for the introduction of the of limited resources and achieve the planned Wisbech-Cambridge rail link and improvements improvements for the town and its residents, to the A47 which have historically been difficult to realise. · improvements to local derelict buildings, including Despite the challenges in the town, Wisbech also has £1.9 secured from the Heritage Lottery Fund for many positive attributes. It has one of the highest Wisbech High Street concentrations of listed buildings and structures in · opening of two new retail parks, including a cinema, the East of England, as well as low house prices. restaurants and shops as well business growth at It also has a high concentration of economic activity Cromwell Road, one of the key gateways to the town linked to the ‘Agri-food’ sector and so has formed a cluster, just as hi-tech does in Cambridge. · improvements to living conditions and tackling migrant exploitation and rogue landlords through The challenges: projects such as Operation Pheasant · introduction and promotion of new high speed · LOW EDUCATION AND SKILLS broadband for businesses and residents · POOR CONNECTIVITY These improvements are just the start. All partners have · POOR HEALTH AND LOWER LIFE EXPECTANCY a long term ambition for the future of the Wisbech 2020 · LOW WAGES vision and we know that with the support of the local · LIMITED EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES community, local Members, stakeholders and private · LACK OF COMMUNITY COHESION sector partners such as key sponsors, Anglian Water, Wisbech can go from strength to strength. To address the challenges in Wisbech, This beautiful Fenland town has so much potential; the Wisbech 2020 Vision Steering Group we just need to work together is focussing on 4 main themes and a to make it happen. range of actions: Education Health, Infrastructure Local & Skills Wellbeing & & the Built Economy Cohesion Environment

Attract the very Improve health and Improving local Position the agri-food best new teaching wellbeing through new connectivity cluster at the centre of talent initiatives and pilot the Wisbech economy ideas to help it thrive

Place schools and Shape improved Accelerating Increase engagement libraries at the centre health facilities development at existing with local business to of community life allocations and help them flourish and underdeveloped sites grown the local economy

Build better links Support the community Secure further Restore the image of between schools and in growing together and investment in the Wisbech as the proud businesses addressing cohesion town’s outstanding economic and social issues built heritage to leave Capital of a positive legacy for future generations HE CO T N

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Engagement strategy T E K The ‘key to the concept’ proposals are based on initial stakeholder engagement surveys and recommendations from other wider work. For example, the recent CPIER report as part of the feasibility work. What was clear from the initial questionnaire and surveys is that there is wide spread support for positive transformational change to enable regeneration. It is also important to note that Wisbech is one of only two founder locations as part of the Business In The Community ‘Pride of Place’ initiative. Today we are seeing the start of a much longer and detailed process in this journey.

· CPIER recommendation – Wisbech should be seen as a test-bed for new flood-resilient approaches. · The Wisbech: beyond 2020 survey – 89% agreed that the reopening of the rail line was a ‘game-changer’ in the regeneration proposals.

Community and wide stakeholder engagement will form the central pillar to shape the approach for planning, delivery and management of the Garden Town. This is our collaborative and evolving vision.

What next for the Wisbech 2020 Vision? The next Wisbech 2020 Vision summit will be held in Summer 2019. A key area of the current work is the engagement strategy for the Garden Town, building upon the work undertaken so far. This programme is working to establish a brand that is recognised www.wisbech2020vision.co.uk by community and stakeholders alike. Early engagement is

Designed by Fine Design Ltd already scheduled to coincide with the next summit. 15011AWA