Todmorden Town Investment Plan Section 1 Building a foundation to deliver opportunities for all 2Sources: Todmorden TodConnect Town Investment Plan Section 1 Contents Foreword 7 Executive Summary 10 - 15 Context Analysis Introducing our Town 18 Todmorden Town Fund Boundary 19 Orientation of our Town Deal Area 20 - 23 The Need for Change in Todmorden 24 - 39 The Key Opportunities in Todmorden 40 -43 Strategy The Vision for Todmorden 46 Strategic Objectives 47 Strategic Alignment 48 - 51 Realising the Vision and Objectives 52 Spatial Strategy 54 Logic Map of Todmorden Town Investment Plan 55 Urban Regeneration, Planning & Land Use Projects 56 - 67 Arts, Culture & Heritage Projects 68 - 77 Skills & Enterprise Infrastructure Projects 78- 83 Local Transport Projects 84 - 91 Achieving Transformational Change 93 - 95 Engagement and Delivery Credibility by Consultation 99 Historic Engagement 99 Town Deal Engagement 99 - 100 Future Stakeholder Engagement 101 - 104 Delivery Plan 105 - 113 Acknowlegdements 114 Appendices Evidence Base Project Prioritisation Town Deal Engagement Report Youth and Community Engagement Report Delivery Programme Letters of Support “Todmorden Town Hall “It is exciting to see “My first visit to “I am delighted to see that the is a wonderful testimony to a town centre hotel in the Todmorden was about 30 Town Investment Plan includes the radical entrepreneurial town investment plan. This years ago when we cycled some much-needed additional spirit which built our town will improve the visitor from Manchester along the housing provision in the town and helped it prosper in experience and support canal and it’s still the best centre area which will be both the 19th century. The Town a more vibrant market place for gentler rides which affordable and environmentally Investment Plan offers town centre. It will be a still get you out into the friendly. In addition, it promises us a once in a generation base for business, arts, countryside. to help boost local skills and opportunity to not only culture, heritage & active Todmorden is a great place employment opportunities” restore its Victorian leisure visitors and create to live if you want to get heritage but ensure this additional revenue for local straight into the hills on iconic building serves businesses” foot or by bike but this is not the community for many practical for everyone who generations to come“ wants to be out in the fresh “Local food and low carbon air. The improvements to the transport are part of what our towpath will make it more future needs to look like. Put accessible and ensure it can them together in an Enterprise be enjoyed by all residents Centre and we get actions not and visitors. This is such words. Result.” an inclusive project and I’m delighted we can make a difference” 4 Todmorden Town Investment Plan Section 1 “Yes, this (Well “The commitment surfaced dedicated road “Todmorden Learning to investment in Fielden bike tracks, for traffic free “I’ve championed Centre and Community Hub Hall is most welcome and travel in the valley and development of Riverside brings together people of alongside other funding beyond). I tried using the with passion for four years the kindest, most active & including local support path that runs from behind now as Upper Calder innovative town. helps to secure and develop the bus station to Hallroyd Valley Renaissance Chair. In the College we are this historic building, and Crescent on the cargo Our mission was always, pioneering development provide community facilities bike the other week and wider community access, of courses and careers and some new social it ended up spinning 180 maximising it as a resource to tackle the climate housing” for sport, recreational emergency, as well as activities, education providing sports, arts, “Well surfaced and training. We’re also cooking, learning, family dedicated road bike tracks, ambitious to facilitate the functions, gigs, workshops for traffic free travel in the visitor economy, generating “Some new boards/leaflets & hot-desking. valley and beyond. These supportive income to aid with walking/running/biking Town Deal funding will could potentially be part viability and sustainability” routes? So just some sprucing establish top facilities for of the national network, up(of the paths) that an ad for our town to be a dynamo of which could also attract campaign? Calderdale’s hills the new green economy” more people to the town“ very much seem to be ‘hidden gems’, some signs describes it as ‘magnificently modest’ - “Away from road walking people don't know paths to local schools. This what’s here!“ would mean a higher level of maintainence on paths already there that kids could take from houses to schools. Making new ones that don’t follow roads.“ TIP Section 1 5 “Artists are in crisis, “An arts centre and “More studio space “Our town has nothing targeted at organisations to facilitate and more affordable been lucky to have a individuals during COVID. arts would be a real asset to studio space is essential. wonderful theatre for We need to recognise this town and community. When artists are able to over 100 years. the fact that many of our Existing sites could be work and are supported Entirely run by resident artists cannot utilised I think. I think we to work they transform volunteers, inspiring support themselves or do need more affordable areas/towns.“ many a successful arts sustain their practice NOW studio space(I can’t find any career, with a hugely and in the forthcoming currently) The creativity in enthusiastic local recession.“ this part of the valley could population and eager be developed with some local business support, funding as an outstanding the theatre attracts the asset to the community.“ attention of national “ I think there is huge “I believe we need to touring acts across potential for an arts focused make space for artists via diverse art-forms and development in Todmorden. adequate and affordable “With shared, well- mounts ambitious, Right now there are a lot studio space. It’s the bed-rock equipped workshops, award-winning amateur of artists in the area and of a town’s creative ecology. classrooms, rehearsal spaces productions. It’s time essentially that is what The more artists/makers we and a new venue/art café, to unlock its potential it takes to work - having have, visible, practising in Murmuration Workshops will and make it fit for a new artists.” town, the more stuff happens be the new heart and hearth century.” - open studio events, galleries for the arts in Todmorden and to open, shops/cafes offer will help countless creative locally made work.“ businesses flourish.” 6 Todmorden Town Investment Plan Section 1 Foreword Todmorden is an extraordinary market town. From make good the promises of the past and invest in Co -Chairs its Nobel Prizewinners and claim to fame as the the priorities identified through many community CMBC Member Co-Chair – Todmorden Ward Councillor birthplace of the citizens’ food movement, Incredible consultations. Those priorities include the need Councillor Silvia Dacre Edible, right through to its wonderful orchestras, for an enhanced skills base, new enterprise and Private Sector Co-Chair choirs, theatre and festivals – Todmorden folk performance spaces, a stronger visitor economy, Dr Tim Benjamin certainly punch well above their weight. a green infrastructure, more affordable and better Board Members homes, and a sustainable and resilient future. CMBC Member – Todmorden Ward Councillor: Over the years though, the lack of investment in its Councillor Susan Press infrastructure and significant buildings has weakened The projects are as amazing as they are relevant CMBC Member – Calder Ward Councillor: the town’s ability to embrace an inclusive prosperity and diverse, ranging from an Enterprise Centre Councillor Josh Fenton-Glynn which helps all of its citizens prosper in turn. for local food skills and active travel, to making Todmorden Town Council: Todmorden Community Learning Centre a centre Town Councillor Denis Skelton The data clearly shows that Todmorden does not of excellence for sustainable building skills. They Private Sector: provide local opportunities for young working- age also include enhanced civic spaces for our many Stephen Curry people to access employment. Meanwhile, its festivals, significantly increased work and business Tony Lawson topography makes it vulnerable to climate change spaces for our artists and entrepreneurs, and homes Pam Warhurst CBE incidents, particularly flooding. And yet, nothing to be proud of in the heart of our town, showcasing Community and Voluntary Sector: has weakened the heartbeat of Todmorden and its the very best of sustainable design and building. Andrew Kim determination to be a beacon market town for 21st Other exciting projects will see visitors and locals Frankie Mullen century commerce, creativity and well-being. benefitting from improved green spaces and James Duffy investment in our wonderful park, a programme of Barbara Jones That is why so many Todmorden residents proposed improvements for our Grade 1 listed Town Hall and Conservative MP for Calder Valley: projects each of which were rich in opportunities community-run theatre, and the creation of vital Craig Whittaker MP and aspiration. Projects connected by the threads of visitor facilities bringing together all that is best from Representative from West Yorkshire Combined Authority: resilience, health, enterprise and creativity. Projects our local producers and services. Rebecca Greenwood that collectively invest in a better future for the town: for the young to grow up with hope, and the old to With the passion of Todmorden folk backing us all live with respect and dignity. This is the moment to the way, we firmly believe that we have a programme realise our ambitions for the town. of works that will build on what’s already great and unique about Todmorden, but also ensure its survival Over five months, the board has worked to identify and prosperity in changing times and climate.