05C 20130529 Consultation Report for Brixton SPD
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CONSULTATION STATEMENT BRIXTON SPD 10 June 2013 20130529 Consultation Report for Brixton SPD Consultation Statement for Brixton area Supplementary Planning Document 1.0 Introduction 3 2.0 Background 3 3.0 Executive summary of feedback 4 4.0 Who was involved 14 5.0 How people were involved 17 6.0 Participation and evaluation 25 Appendix 1 Thematic overview of consultation feedback and responses 1/32 20130529 Consultation Report for Brixton SPD 1.0 Introduction This Consultation Statement describes how the council has worked with the local community, businesses and other stakeholders to develop and consult on a supplementary planning document (SPD) for the Brixton town centre area. As a cooperative council, we wanted to give local people more involvement in and control of the places where they live. Consequently, the draft SPD taken out to consultation was the result of a co- drafting process, further detail of which is in the Consultation Statement that accompanied the draft SPD (available to view online at www.futurebrixton.org). Engagement objectives 1. To engage community and business organisations in order to coproduce the draft SPD and consultation on it. 2. To agree on shared principles that will determine what type of development we want to see in the area. 3. To proactively consult with the whole community on the draft SPD 4. To facilitate a partnership approach to the regeneration of Brixton The development of the SPD has complied with Town and Country Planning (Local Development) (England) Regulations 2012 and with the additional recommendations set out in Lambeth’s Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) adopted in April 2008, and our cooperative ethos to ensure that the SPD is a reflection of the community’s aspirations for the area. 2.0 Background The development of the SPD was seen as a continuation of the work to agree the Brixton Masterplan (2009). The starting point for the SPD was the two key themes of sustainability and enhancing Brixton’s unique character that were identified through the extensive masterplanning process that took place during 2007 and 2008. The Brixton SPD has been developed to support the Future Brixton programme which aims to use council- owned assets in the town centre to support positive change in Brixton – providing new homes and jobs, as well as better public spaces and facilities. Consultation and engagement was careful to set the context of the programme and to position this work as part of an ongoing conversation. Community involvement and engagement in the drafting of this SPD falls into four phases: • Phase 1: The Brixton Masterplanning process (August 2007 to March 2008) • Phase 2: Development of draft principles (February to August 2012) • Phase 3: Co-drafting of the Brixton SPD (September 2012) • Phase 4: Statutory consultation on draft SPD (4 February 2013 to 15March 2013) This report will discuss the methodology and provide feedback for phases 2 and 3. Feedback will be discussed according to method and theme and reports on individual phases and activities (see below) are available on the website. A general summary of feedback is provided as an appendix (see appendix 1). 2/32 20130529 Consultation Report for Brixton SPD Roadshow during Brixton Masterplan consultation Workshop during phase 2 of Brixton SPD Reports available on the website (www.futurebrixton.org) • Mini consultation report on roadshows • Mini consultation report on mole events and exhibition • Mini consultation report on questionnaire • Mini consultation report on digital engagement • List of organisations for consultee mailout • Consultation Statement for draft Brixton SPD (January 2013) 3.0 Executive summary of feedback This section outlines the key themes arising from the statutory consultation (phase 3) on the draft Brixton SPD, 4 February to 15 March 2013. Appendix 1 contains a table summarising the feedback from the statutory consultation phase in themes. Appendix 2 contains a table of the written submissions and how these have been responded to in the final SPD. 3.1 Overview of feedback from all methods As in phase 1, the character and heritage of Brixton was again running through much of the feedback for phases 2, 3 and 4. People praised improvements that had taken place since the masterplan consultation, but change was also a cause for concern. Two key issues were: • People felt development should reflect and build on the unique qualities and successes of Brixton and there was a fear that Brixton would lose its identity if the wrong kind of development took place. “It is important to consider Brixton’s history and culture when planning improvements/new developments. This will keep Brixton unique among other high streets beyond phone shops/coffee shops that are ultimately characterless.” Questionnaire respondent, unemployed Brixton man, aged 45-59, mixed ethnic background • There was concern that large-scale development in the town centre would contribute to rising housing and business rents that would price many existing residents and businesses out of the town centre and in turn change Brixton’s identity. 3/32 20130529 Consultation Report for Brixton SPD “We must support the businesses and locals who have always been there – don’t price them out!” Questionnaire respondent, white female, aged 20-29 and living in Brixton “it's ok [the draft SPD] but it's designed to encourage people to the area to shop and party and live. it doesn't seem designed to make the lives of those who live here and have investment (time, money, work, life) easier - unless you're a business owner or developer. It seems clear to me that Future Brixton is not designed with my needs in mind, nor the needs of Brixtonites who are worried about how they are going to continue to live in the area.” Urban75 contributor Feedback from phase 2 led to the identification of 10 community statements or aspirations: 1. People love Brixton 2. Brixton should support a diverse economy 3. The importance of social infrastructure 4. Improve access and connections 5. Respect local character 6. Keep it safe 7. Sustainable Brixton 8. Use every space 9. Make it happen These were incorporated into the draft SPD and comments made during the consultation in phase 3 have been analysed under these 10 headings. 3.2 Response by theme People love Brixton A genuine and deeply felt affection for Brixton was evident through the majority of the comments throughout all consultation activity, whether people were trying to protect what they loved or improve the bits that annoyed them. • People loved the Brixton ‘vibe’ – which included creativity, independent businesses and the community. • The key places people singled out were the markets and Brixton Rec and there were also a number of comments in praise of Windrush Square. “I love Brixton and any regeneration should be sensitive to the community vibe of Brixton - supporting independent shops and the markets rather than encouraging major high street chain retailers so that it looks like any other town centre.” Female Brixton owner occupier, aged 30-44 Brixton should support a diverse economy This was a popular theme for people to comment on and 139 of the questionnaire respondents addressed issues around the town centre, business and jobs. People were particularly concerned about: • Getting the right mix of retail in the town centre - including protecting the markets and the independent businesses that make Brixton special. • The affordability of employment space. • Providing jobs and training, particularly for young people. “Encourage businesses to take on young people to train and give them Saturday/ weekend jobs otherwise where do they get experience and money from invest in economic programs aimed at the young there 4/32 20130529 Consultation Report for Brixton SPD should be work based workshops in the arches where they can pick up construction skills etc” Questionnaire respondent, not resident in Brixton “It talks about encouraging more high street retailers - I'm not 100% against that but I think there should be a cap to how many we let in so as to keep the diversity of the area.” Urban75 contributor Some respondents commented on the type of businesses that have done well in Brixton and which should be encouraged: “Space for arts generally: arts related enterprises have been a major source of employment locally for the past dozen years. Workspace needs to be affordable, in order to retain creative enterprises in the area and encourage long-term economic revival…” Written representation by Brixton Neighbourhood Forum The importance of social infrastructure Comments on this theme were made by 66 of the questionnaire respondents and many of these were in support of Brixton Rec and the proposals for a new theatre (the new theatre was a separate discussion thread on Urban75). A number of comments focused on things for young people to do – some of these in praise of the temporary ice rink and asking about its future. Four comments from the questionnaire respondents were made about the need for more and better schools. An overview of the comments is: • People, particularly young people, needed things to do and there was significant support for Brixton Rec, proposals for a new theatre and the temporary ice rink. • Social infrastructure, particularly school places, needs to be thought about in context of new residents and visitors that will be encouraged to the area, “[I] don't often post here but would like to add my support for Oval House, who are a genuinely ethical organisation and have supported for decades local people and poorer people with an interest in theatre. I'd be thrilled to see them on that corner. Any ethical organisation working with locals and local young people needs all the support we can muster these days.” Urban75 contributor “Focus is needed in dealing with gang crime, and to give young people with issues at home support.