Appendix 4 Little Lever Masterplan: Public

Appendix 4

Little Lever Masterplan: Public Consultation Results

Background

BDP produced a draft Masterplan for Little Lever which was amended following a series of stakeholder meetings with representatives from the town, including local business leaders, community groups and councillors. Public consultation was then held between 27 Jan and 23 Feb 2020 to get the views of the wider community on these draft proposals. Two drop-in sessions were held in Little Lever Library, on a Wednesday afternoon / early evening [5 Feb] and a Saturday [8 Feb]. The draft proposals were also made available online. A questionnaire was produced to capture responses. The questionnaire was made available online, at the drop-in events and distributed in public places throughout the town. The questionnaire and information used at the drop-in sessions and online is included at the end of this appendix.

Responses

253 questionnaires were completed. The graphs and coded comments are based on responses to the questionnaires.

Around 200 people attended the drop-in sessions, they were encouraged to complete a questionnaire, however their comments were also captured informally. Further comments were received from a variety of sources, including email and via members of the stakeholder group. Any such comments that were not included in submitted questionnaires have been incorporated into this report, but have not been categorised, to avoid double counting.

Formal responses to the consultation are included at the end of this appendix.

Demographics summary

• 92% of respondents were resident in Little Lever, and 1% had a business in the town • 51% were under 60 years of age • 59% were female • 96% were White British • 78% had no life-limiting health issues • 75% had no caring responsibilities

Detailed demographics are included at the end of this appendix.

The Proposals

Proposal One: Redevelopment of the precinct for shops and apartments

The proposal is to redevelop the precinct site to create shops and cafes at street level with apartments above. Some new short stay car parking will be provided on Market Street to help attract passing trade. Four floors of apartments above the shops will increase town centre living which will improve the vibrancy of the town centre, especially in the evenings.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal One: base 249

There was a mixed response to this proposal. The majority agreed that the precinct did require work, but many wanted this limiting to shops and businesses. A better retail / business mix was welcomed by most, although people worried about existing businesses, There were mixed views about housing on this site, with most preferring one or two storeys to four, which they felt was more in keeping surrounding premises and would retain a village feel.

Environmental factors were mentioned, with concern about the sustainability of a large development and loss of sunlight and green space. There were concerns around anti-social behaviour, and concern that this could be exacerbated by the kinds of people who might occupy these flats. Concern was also expressed around the lack of infrastructure for the increased population.

While some welcomed the parking proposal, many felt that any additional housing on this site would take up much of this extra parking anyway and would add to congestion issues. Some felt that the redevelopment should include community space – seating areas and room for events and markets. There needed to be more to do, especially in the evening, if vibrancy were to increase – although not everyone felt that vibrancy was desirable.

A total of 201 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below. Number of Categorised comments – Proposal one respondents Don't want four storeys 90 More parking is required 49 ASB / crime / safety concerns 38 Agree with some accommodation 34 Agree to improve business premises / mix 31 Centre needs work – general comments 28 Don't want any accommodation here 28 Vibrancy not required / won't improve 21 Disagree with developing businesses premises / mix 16 Congestion issues 12 Environmental 12 Waste of money / generally unnecessary 11

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Don't want four storeys [90 comments]

Respondents felt that four storeys of accommodation would be too overpowering for the setting and was not warranted in the centre of Little Lever

• Not sure I would like to see something so high in the middle of the village • Way too high for this street scene and the area in general • Will tower over the village. • Five floor buildings would tower above all other buildings. I worry they would loom over the road creating a car tunnel! • Overwhelming and out of character • Four floors of apartments above shops making a five-story building would be obtrusive and unacceptable • Will be an eyesore. • Little Lever is a Village, not a city centre & any building should be in accordance with that precept. • Will create a high rise look to the town centre which will look unattractive. • Would be totally out of character with the remainder of that section of Market Street, dwarfing the terraced shops/businesses directly opposite. • Too tall & not beneficial for the heart of the village • Absolutely not 4 floors of apartments • Not be in-keeping with heights of surrounding buildings.

More parking is required [49 comments]

Respondents agreed that more parking was required for the centre or questioned where residents in any new accommodation would park. There were concerns that parking would be charged for, which would deter people from using the centre.

• Parking is a concern • Need plenty of free parking • Parking is in desperate need but will there be a payment which would put people off parking and go elsewhere (first hour free).

• Parking needs to be extended • Car parking is an essential. • Insufficient car parking available at the moment. • No provision of extra parking spaces for the proposed flats! • Apartments will add to more parking problems • Increasing the centre living will mean more need for parking residents’ cars • Much needed parking …will benefit the village, • Where would car parking be for the residents of the new apartments.

ASB / crime / safety concerns [38 comments]

There were concerns about current levels of crime and anti-social behaviour in the centre of Little Lever, and worries that additional accommodation, especially flats would exacerbate the problem.

• Need to tackle the ever-growing Anti-social Behaviour • Apartments above shops will not attract families it will be filled with younger people and give little lever a bad name. People will not want to walk through th3 centre with the fear of who they will meet. They may feel unsafe. • The issues with youths being anti-social behaviour will hopefully be addressed, the last thing we need is a bigger magnet that will attract even more of them. • Don't want gangs or drug dens. Don't want to be intimidated going shopping • Who in their right mind would want to live on a busy main road, especially at weekends with all the drunks walking past it? The flats would be either left empty because of the noise or filled with problem tenants • Placing apartments over shops will attract the wrong sorts of people into the village and its centre. The youth of today will still hang around there, keeping places open for longer only means there will be more trouble and there aren’t enough police to cover the area and demand we have as it is. • Housing above shops has been tried in Little Lever, they lead to vandalism and general bad behaviour. • More drugs, more drinking, more hanging about on the streets. Need I go on. We already have the caravan site on Hall Lane. We are not a dumping ground you know!!!

Agree with some accommodation [34 comments]

Respondents agreed that some accommodation should be provided in the precinct area.

• New housing is good • Apartments would look good • Agree if the apartments were solely for residents of Little Lever. • Positive if development includes 1 & 2 bed flats for locals to use as starter homes. • We need more available and variety of housing

20 respondents in this category wanted only 1-2 storeys above the shops, rather than the 4 storeys in the proposal.

• 2 storey apartments much better aesthetically. • Prefer I floor or 2 to match the height of shops opposite or behind precinct. • Maybe 1 floor of apartments • One story of private apartments would be sufficient. • Possibly single-story shops with single story flats above. • Like the low-level development

Agree to improve business premises / mix [31 comments]

Respondents were in favour of updating business premises and improving the mix of retail and other businesses in the precinct area. Some felt that there were enough café’s and other eating / drinking establishments, others felt that a more diverse offer was welcome.

• Little Lever is missing a nice restaurant/ bistro. Somewhere in walking distance that you can go for a bite to eat and a few cocktails. • More shops and choice for local residents • I do not think that we need more cafes on the main street - we need 'proper shops.' • Shops are dated half empty. Needs a revamp • If it brings in more restaurants • Shops on the precinct do need a facelift • Replacing the existing dilapidated shops is long overdue • Agree to the redevelopment of the precinct for shops, but maybe not more cafe's as we have 5 already. • More shop variety would be a plus.

Centre needs work – general comments [28 comments]

This category includes general comment to the effect that the precinct / centre of Little Lever needed improvements of some kind [though not necessarily all those in the proposal].

• I agree with giving little lever centre a face lift • It’s an awful mish mash of unattractive buildings • Market St does need revitalising, it’s been a long time coming • I have lived in little lever for 45 years and I think this is a great idea as it is looking tired and a bit rundown. • We do need something to make the village a better place • The precinct is very dated • Agree that the "Village" centre needs improving • The present 'concrete' needs replacing with more attractive material. • Agree our village needs bringing up to date • Precinct is very scruffy so definitely needs improving.

Don't want any accommodation here [28 comments]

Respondents did not want to see any accommodation in the precinct or wider areas covered by proposal one. Some felt that the population of Little Lever was high enough already, and worried about congestion and pressure on already stretched services, such as schools and doctors. Some worried about the type of people who would live there.

• We do not need any more apartments and housing in those areas. • Why would a small township like Little Lever want town centre living and all the problems that it would attract??? • Enough accommodation already, more apartments are not necessary • Absolutely NO to building flats on top of shops! • Little Lever already has its fair share of social & affordable housing. We already have a large amount of single person accommodation. • Not enough facilities for more housing. • Strongly disagree to any of the apartments above the precinct, as I feel the Village NOT Town Centre is already at capacity for Doctors, Dentists, Nurseries and Schools, not to mention the already congested dilapidated highways. • Wary of yet more houses being built in this already over-populated village. • This would be a waste as there are already plenty of apartments and new houses being built • No apartments - lead to anti-social behaviour

Vibrancy not required / won't improve [21 comments]

Respondents felt that the proposals would not improve vibrancy, or felt that vibrancy was not desirable anyway, as it would ruin the village ambience and they preferred peace and quiet.

• This is a village we don’t need evening vibrancy • Does not seem to be an overwhelming call for more evening activity • Keeping places open for longer only means there will be more trouble • Not sure encouraging people to be out and about late at night is a good thing • If alcohol is to be involved in the 'vibrancy' it will be a nightmare. • People will NOT go out in Little Lever as there is nothing here. • How do we make sure shops are vibrant? • Don't think you will be able to encourage people to come into the village centre in the evenings - there is not enough there i.e. entertainment to bring them in.

Disagree with developing businesses premises / mix [16 comments]

This category includes those who were against any kind of business development, along with people who felt that there were enough of certain types of businesses, primarily cafes

• Awful idea. We are a village not a town. We do not want high street shops • No need for more cafes in Little Lever. We already have several. • The proposal to create cafes assumes that quality cafe bars will open in Little Lever. There are already too many fast food take away units in the village. • The empty units in the town centre are an indication of the town's saturation point, with regard to viable retail business within the town centre. • Enough shops in village. You can get what you need from Tesco, LoCost in store. • Already enough existing cafes and already enough shops and supermarkets

Congestion issues [12 comments]

Respondents felt that there was a lot of congestion in Little lever already and that the developments, particularly extra housing would make this worse.

• Already too much traffic • Traffic in and out of Little Lever in a morning and evening is already a nightmare it can take 15 minutes to get from red car road to Moses gate • Also, more people will bring more cars into an already busy road network • The village (NOT TOWN) is already over-populated for the road system. If there are any issues with the Hall Lane bridge (as before) the village would grind to a halt. • Traffic calming needed • Too much traffic • Concerns re traffic congestion level and access

Environmental [12 comments]

Respondents were concerned about loss of green space and felt that any developments or refurbishments should be eco-friendly and sustainable. There was also concern about loss of light from any new developments.

• No Green Space should be tarmacked over • Four floor high residences, this might create a canyon effect and reduce sunlight? • Apartments above shops look very nice and modern. I think these should be built with the environment in mind e.g. green roofs, solar panels etc. • Plants & trees for environmental health NEEDED • Happy for new apartments to be built but they must be carbon neutral

• Proposal suggests the removal of grassed verges that are part of the aesthetics of the village.

Waste of money / generally unnecessary [11 comments]

The development was seen as expensive and unnecessary, particularly as the area had recently been renovated.

• Too expensive • Just need to get CCTV, PCSO’s & decent businesses, don't need to spend all this money • Ridiculous idea. The last thing we need more money being spent on this particular area. It has been renovated more times than anywhere else. • Precinct has very recently been "refurbished" so the money spent on those works would be totally wasted • I like the precinct as it is, I don't see any reason to change it

Proposal Two: New town square

The proposal is to create a new town square between the new library / health centre and the redeveloped precinct which would become the heart of the town centre. The town square could be used for markets and other events but at other times can be used for car parking.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal Two: base 245

Many respondents were in agreement with this proposal, saying it would be a focal point of the village and a nice place to sit and enjoy markets and events which, together with a better retail offer, would attract locals and visitors. However, many felt that it should be a dedicated space and did not like the idea of it doubling-up as a car park. Some questioned where people would park if they were attracted to events. There were feelings that open space and greenery would help make the area more pleasant, safer and less prone to anti-social behaviour. People felt that Little Lever already had a town square and areas for markets and events, which had served them for many years - so a new one was not wanted and there was no need for the library etc to move. There was concern about what would happen to the current square and worries about existing traders.

A total of 174 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below. Number of Categorised comments – Proposal two respondents Good to move centre / establish a centre / modernise Little Lever 38 Disagree with car park 24 Agree with market space 19 Shouldn't move centre 16 Agree with car park 14 ASB / safety / crime concerns 14 Agree with event space 14 Don't need / already have a market 13 Cost concerns / not a priority 12 Need green / open space 11

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Good to have a new centre / modernise Little Lever [38 comments]

This category includes those who specifically commentated on the proposed new square as a central focal point for Little Lever, and those who thought that the central area needed revitalising.

• The town centre is really drab looking. Its like going back in time to the 1970's and is outdated.. Knock it down and start again • Existing precinct is awful • It will form a proper Town square • A new town square at this point would make it more central and closer to more amenities, parking and open spaces. • Very good idea to revitalise the town centre. • Totally agree as little lever needs updating to bring it in to this century. • Needs to be a central focal point of village • It will update village • The village needs updating for sure. • Old square is no more than a hazardous traffic snarl up. • Anything to give the village some soul.

Disagree with car park [24 comments]

There were concerns that a mixed-use space would not work, and would end up being solely car parking, which was not desirable for the heart of the town.

• Car parks area ugly. • If the square doubles as a car park then the car park will win. There will be no permanent seating, flowers or trees because the space has to be available for cars. • Avoid using for parking, as people will park during times they shouldn’t. • Don't agree with 'car parking' if it to be used as the heart of the village • Village squares are a central focal point - car parks are not. • Apartment owners would use up parking space. • The whole of Little Lever is becoming one big car park without bringing more cars in. • We have enough car parking • it wouldn't be a square it would be a car park

Agree with market space [19 comments]

Respondents welcomed the idea of a space for market stalls, particularly good quality stalls selling local produce.

• Would love a market • Markets is a good idea. Local produce etc. • Markets are a great idea for bringing a community together • Elderly people won't need to travel to Bolton centre of Bury markets. • As long as it's used for actual market stalls and not stalls selling tat and car boots. • like the idea that markets, craft events, food vans could make use of the space. • Markets have always been missing from Little Lever - long time overdue! • Market could be good. Maybe including evening markets from time to time, like they have in Levenshulme

Shouldn't move centre [16 comments]

Respondents were attached to the areas which they consider the centre of Little Lever and resented plans to create a new centre.

• The heart of the town square should be the old library. • Leave the precinct where it is as it's the heart of the village and just update it and use it for markets which people have done in the past • The heart of the village is and always will be where the current library is and where the shops currently are. Moving it over wont change that. You're trying to change the roots of the village rather than preserving what we have. • Leave the square where it is. • We already have a Town Square - its called Coronation Square. Totally ignored by the so called experts. • We have a perfectly good village square which is part of the Little Lever tradition. • Sounds tacky. The centre of little lever is coronation square • Coronation square with the great library building…It's LITTLE LEVER and we are proud of it. Not many villages have such an attractive centre, this should not be altered!

Agree with car park [14 comments]

Respondents thought that the proposal to use the square for car parking was a great idea, as free parking would encourage locals and visitors to use the Little Lever.

• Do need more car parking space • Need spaces to park • Car parking would be welcome. • Extra parking would be a bonus for passing trade. • If you are trying to attract people into the centre with better short term parking - good idea • If parking remains free of charge

ASB / safety / crime concerns [14 comments]

Worries were expressed that the site would become a gathering place for youths who would cause trouble and deter others from using the square.

• Lit at night to avoid attracting the gathering of groups of youths • Will the proposal result in just somewhere else for local youths to congregate and cause trouble • Needs patrolling to curb the vandalism and gangs congregating in town square. • Emphasis the need for adequate lighting and very visual vandal proof cctv otherwise this could become a trouble spot for groups of youths. • Concerns are regarding …encroachmemt of travellers.

Agree with event space [14 comments]

The idea of providing an events space was welcomed, with respondents feeling this could help community cohesion and be attractive for residents and visitors alike.

• Definitely agree as long as it's used, we need more community groups who put events on, brings everyone together • Need events to be held to increase usage of centre. • Events will bring people into the centre good idea. • A village notice board to advertise community events would be useful here. • Would be good to use for event • Special events could take place here such as Christmas gatherings, etc.

Don't need / already have a market [13 comments]

Some respondents said that Little Lever already had a market, others said that the town did not have a market and did not need one, as people could travel to other towns if they wanted to buy produce from market stalls.

• As I am a trader in the 'Market hall' I don't like the idea of you creating other 'markets' effectively taking trading and customers away from a building that has been here over 40 years. • Never had markets so why now? • Existing square is already used for markets • If people want a market the one in Bolton is struggling as we all know and they can always go to wonderful Bury. • We already have an indoor market and 2 excellent ones at Bury & Bolton can't see it working. • How can you have markets … cluttering up the main through fare through the village.

Cost concerns / not a priority [12 comments]

Respondents felt that the proposal would be too expensive, and the money would be better spent on other things. There was concern that the proposal would benefit private business owners rather than the Council / community.

• Money spent on developing community/youth club perhaps better • We need other useful things more than a "town square" e.g. public toilets, youth centre, traffic lights. • Under the impression that the property in the town centre is privately owned, so why waste taxpayers money on it??? • It wasn't that long ago that the precinct was re-paved, so it seems like a waste to tear it all up and move the 'town square' a little to the left. • Already seating for people to meet in the precinct which could be upgraded and added to without the need to create another space. • Why not a BMX (cycle/roller skate centre like the one in Bolton near Morrisons). • How much would it cost to set up stalls on market day and then dismantle them afterwards. Who would do that?

Need green / open space [11 comments]

Respondents were keen to have an open space with room for flora in the new square. There were concerns about losing existing green space.

• Good idea, we need some nice spaces to encourage people to visit the centre • Green space would be much more inviting and likely to stop passing trade. • Be nice to have a more open feel with trees and plants. • Make the space appealing with planting and trees • Make it nice and open. • Like the idea of a clear centre • Would it take away any fields?

Proposal Three: Former library building

Once the new library and health centre is built the former library will become vacant. The proposal is to secure a new use for the library building and redevelop the surrounding area (including the garages to the rear) for mixed use development. This would involve relocation of the war memorial.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal Three: base 244

People were keen to see the building used but were upset by the proposal and felt that the war memorial should remain in-situ. A few people didn’t see why the library should move, but many suggested alternative uses for this building, which was an important landmark. These included activities for young people, a police / CCTV station, council / housing services, retail / food / drink establishments and health services. Many suggested that the building should be for community use, for example as a heritage centre, meeting place or space for community activities.

There was concern about the proposal to develop the garages, which housed thriving businesses which had not been consulted about the proposal. People also felt that the masterplan was unclear.

A few people commented on housing, which some were in favour of and others against on this site, and a few suggested that the site should be cleared to allow more ambitious development.

A total of 188 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below.

Number of Categorised comments – Proposal three respondents Don't move war memorial 83 Important to keep / maintain building 40 Use for community 37 Okay to move war memorial 24 Masterplan detail / process unclear 23 Use for police / CCTV 21 Leave garages alone 18 Use for youth activities 14

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Don't move war memorial [83 comments]

Respondents didn’t see why, if the building was going to be retained, the war memorial could not remain as part of the façade. Whatever the future use was envisaged for the building, this could be designed around retention of the war memorial.

A few sample quotes are given below, but this important issue is examined in more detail under Proposal 4

• Not really comfortable with moving the war memorial. It’s been a staple point throughout the villages history and should be something we build on rather than move • If the building is staying why does the war memorial need to move • Why if the library going to be used for other purpose would they want to remove the war memorial? Strongly disagree with this idea. • If all your plans were done sypathetically the War Memorial could stay put. • The war memorial forms the heart of the village. The removal would upset many local residents, who would feel that their opinions and views are of no importance • The war memorial is the heart of little lever and should stay where it is, I'm all for developing things for the better but some things should stay like they are and out of respect should stay in the very heart of little lever • Whatever the library becomes why can't the war memorial be respected and left • The repurpose muct be something suitable and in respect of our war memorial.

Important to keep / maintain building [40 comments]

Comments in this category were around the importance of the library building to the people of Little Lever. Any development work should retain the building, be done sensitively and maintained long-term. There was concern that removing the war memorial would damage the building, and that the building was earmarked for demolition.

• This building is the pride of Little lever • It would not be appropriate to change the exterior of the library building • A beautiful building inside and out and should be preserved and not redeveloped • The War Memorial and the Building it is on was a gift to the people of Little Lever and form part of our history. • Better a building in use than an empty shell. • I like that the library will not be a wasted building • The library building is a lovely building and is held dear by many current residents and should not be knocked down to allow for redevelopment • This must be maintained to a high standard

• Please do not let the library be demolished. That would be a sin, I’m sure people would object if they said they were going to demolish Bolton Town Hall. Little Lever library is part of the village • The library is a landmark in village. I want the building sensitively restored and repurposed… I strongly object to the demolition of the current library. • Keep the facade as it is • The existing library building could be used for any business or servcie to the community, which did not involve alteration to the existing building structure & facade • Do not spoil the building by removing the war memorial

Use for community [37 comments]

The majority of respondents who commentated on use of the old library wanted it to used for the benefit of the community, as a centre where meeting and activities could take place and locals could meet up. Some suggested the building should incorporate a heritage centre; other suggestions included community classes and low-cost leisure activities such as yoga

• Maybe daytime community centre for multi uses for our pensioners, safe & warm environment for them too meet up • Something like a creative social and leisure activity for use by the community. • I am a potter and would love a community art centre for adults. This building would be perfect. • Community centre- keep fit, chair excercises for elderly - used by groups • Create computor learning centre in partnershiop with Lever High School. • Premises for public use. i.e. Mother/Baby club • A museum to the village past life • Should be given to a community group to manage who will allow groups to book and use the space for free/subsidised activities e.g. classes, meetings, support groups, art groups, exercise & yoga. • Little Lever totally lacks opportunities for cultural and artistic development, education and expression. This would be appropriately housed in this interesting old building

Okay to move war memorial [24 comments]

This category includes comments from people who thought it was okay to move the war memorial to an appropriate location, many with the proviso that any new site was suitable and well-maintained.

Again, this is covered in more detail in Proposal 4, but a few sample quotes are given here.

• The war memorial would be more impressive in the green space. • Although the war memorial is a very important landmark for the village, which may upset some to move, it would be best placed in a more visible location such as the new centre to allow visibility and room for people to pay their respects • With the future of the library unknown I think it would be bets to move the memorial • Great idea to relocate the war memorial. • I am not wholly against relocating the war memorial but it must be done respectfully. • Moving war memorial is not a problem

Masterplan detail / process unclear [23 comments]

Respondents suggested that the proposal was unclear and lacked detail, and that affected businesses had not been consulted.

• This was not discussed with most businesses in Little Lever. • Having spoken to the owner of the garages to the rear he owns the land and buildings & has no wishes for re-development to the rear of the library.

• Given the fact that the proposals have not been discussed with the owners of the garage I feel that the proposal is inappropriate and irresponsible and a waste of resources. • How can the proposals be submitted without the permission of the land owners? • This proposal is not very clearly defined. Mixed use could be many things • What new use is envisaged for the Library • Would you CPO the DM Motors & Beauty Parlour, will you demolish the library? Question is to vague. • I agree it should be used for something but it depends what for, this has been left out of the proposal. • Redeveloping it into What?

Use for police / CCTV [21 comments]

Respondents felt that a police presence was required in Little Lever, and the library building would make an idea police post or CCTV monitoring station.

• Use it for PCSO/PC officers. We need them. • Get pscos &CCTV set up in the old library • Use the old library building as a badly needed police office. A police presence in the village is urgently required. • Little Lever has no Police Station. When I was growing up we had one and we need one now. We need Policemen based in Little Lever not Bolton. By the time they respond to a call the trouble is over and the ones causing it are away. • If the library could be used as a police station then yes, do that • Why not convert this property into a Police Station, this is not a village anymore, we need a police presence

Leave garages alone [18 comments]

Respondents questioned why development was being proposed without the consent of business owners who were providing a valuable service to Little Lever residents.

• Don't see the point in redeveloping the garage at the rear and leave the older garage at the side as the garages at the rear are more modern looking. • The garages are people’s livelihoods so they shouldn’t be knocked down • The garages behind the library are thriving businesses employing local people,I see no benefit in closing these down putting people out of work in order to build a car park. • Destroying local business (i.e. garage) is absurd. • The garages to the rear provide a good service & help to increase the footfall in the centre & are thriving businesses - it would be totally unfair to close them just to provide more housing. • Why do the experts want to remove an established car repair company from the centre of the village when it offers a local service without people having to go out of the village?

Use for youth activities [14 comments]

Another proposed use for the library building was to provide activities for young people, or a space where they could meet their friends. It was felt that this was important provision, for the youths themselves and to cut down on anti-social behaviour and crime.

• Turn the town centres old library into a place where the youngsters can go, their is absolutely no where for them to go • A youth offer in the evening deterring young people from hanging in the precinct and causing ASB. • A youth project run by Zacs (The Sycamore Project) who for some time hve been looking for suitable premises in Little Lever • A gaming cafe would be an idea, somewhere for the younger generation to spend time instead of hanging around the streets.

Proposal Four: Relocation of war memorial

A war memorial is set into the façade of the existing Little Lever library and is a valued local memorial and the focus of annual community gatherings. Under the proposal this war memorial could be sensitively relocated to the Memorial Gardens at the western end of Market Street, where an appropriate and more spacious setting can be provided. A small commercial café or kiosk could also be provided to cater for those who wish to spend some time in the gardens.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal Four: base 248

Half the respondents disagreed with this proposal.

Those who were in favour thought that if carefully moved it would be to a more appropriate and respectful setting, with the proviso that the new surroundings would need to be well maintained and litter-free.

A café / kiosk, while welcomed by some, but others thought this was not in keeping with a memorial garden which contained graves, or for a war memorial setting.

Many people thought moving the war memorial was disrespectful to those who had given their lives in conflicts, and that it was not much of a sacrifice to close the road occasionally. There were also concerned that the memorial could be damaged in the move, and that it would be tucked away and vandalised in the Memorial Gardens.

A total of 179 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below. Number of Categorised comments – Proposal four respondents Don't move war memorial 65 Against café / kiosk 56 Memorial Gardens is wrong location 45 Concerns around ASB 38 Memorial Gardens is a fitting location 36 Remembrance ceremonies better in current location 16

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Don't move war memorial [65 comments]

Respondents felt strongly that it would be disrespectful to move the war memorial from its current position. It was an important focal point for many in Little Lever. They questioned why a move was necessary if the building was to be retained.

• The war memorial should be out of bounds • It there will be new use of the library building why the need to move the memorial?? • Whoever takes on the old library i'm sure they would honour our war memorial being left as it stands. • You are proposing to rip out the heart of the village for what? Generations have mourned the fallen in that exact spot. There is no sensitive way to relocate our fallen. There seems no logical reason why it should be moved. • To re-site this war memorial amounts to taking the heart out of our village. • Disrespectful to those who died for their country. • Keep war memorial where it is and develop a small garden round that area in the centre of the village. • The war memorial is set into the fabric of the building and is a valued focus for community. How can moving it from the centre of the village keep it as a focal point it sounds more like it is being pushed to one side. • Better where it is and can be seen daily by passersby • The War Memorial is part of the Little Lever tradition and should be left where it is. • Needs to stay, generations of villages have used it! • This memorial to our fallen hero's can not simply be 'moved' for convenience. If the council wishes to improve our village it must honour it's heritage. • We don't need to move the memorial to "fit in with developments" the renovations fit in with it

Against café / kiosk [56 comments]

Those who were against a café or kiosk in the Memorial Gardens felt that there were enough cafes in Little Lever already, and this would be little used. It was also felt inappropriate for refreshments to be served near a war memorial and grave site. There was also concern that it would attract anti-social behaviour [quotes for this aspect are given in a subsequent section].

• Already enough cafes in the village • We have enough cafes, we don't need any more. • As for the cafe or kiosk who would use it? • A cafe would not be sustainable. • Another cafe could affect existing businesses. • Do not agree there is a need for a cafe or kiosk. This would cheapen the whole experience of a place of memorial • The village already has enough cafes, it definitely does not need a kiosk which would just cheapen the area and make the memorial gardens look tacky • I don’t think a cafe/kiosk necessary or appropriate as this was formally a graveyard and shouldn’t be built on.

Memorial Gardens is wrong location [45 comments]

It was felt that the Memorial gardens was not a suitable location as it was out of the way, too small, and should be respected as a grave site. Other locations were suggested by some respondents.

• Happy for it to be moved bu the heart of the precinct would be better.

• Not sure the so called memorial gardens is the right place for the war memorial, think it should still be in the centre of the village, perhaps the new square? • The Memorial Gardens as is is not maintained properly. The walkways are full of moss; the grass grows over the kerbs; it is full of dog poo and litter. The local youth use it to smoke their 'weed', drink alcohol and eat junk food - and if they can get a bit of vandalism in they do that as well. • There is no room at your planned relocation. • The amount of traffic passing on 2 sides of the garden does not make it a peaceful place where anyone would want to linger • The garden is very, very small - It cannot accommodate a throng of village folk. • I’m still outraged that people walk over what was once a graveyard. Show some respect. • The Memorial Garden is actually in a graveyard, encouraging and enabling people to stand on graves is disrespectful of those that have died and makes a farce of remebering those that have died in conflict. • The Memorial Garden is actually a cemetery so by relocating the War Memorial the unmarked graves would be marched across at Remembrance Parades - very disrespectful. if its moved • Don't shove it in a dark corner

Concerns around anti-social behaviour [38 comments]

Respondents worried that the war memorial would be vandalised if moved to the Memorial Garden. Litter would need to be tackled, and CCTV / policing may be required.

• The War Memorial would probably get vandalised if moved out of sight into the gardens. • As long as it can not be easily Vandalised at night • The Memorial Gardens as is is not maintained properly. The walkways are full of moss; the grass grows over the kerbs; it is full of dog poo and litter. The local youth use it to smoke their 'weed', drink alcohol and eat junk food - and if they can get a bit of vandalism in they do that as well. • Will need plenty of CCTV to deter kid's from hanging around and causing problems • Due to vandalism I would suggest cctv in the area as it would be heartbreaking if anything was to happen to this valued piece of history due to it being in an area not in the public eye • Everything that gets put into the memorial gardens so far regularly gets vandalised so the war memorial would get vandalised too • Are you going to provide Police to keep all the youths out of the Memorial Gardens? • The memorial will not be in full view if put in the gardens and would be open to vandalism. • The childrens schools display have been vandalised, so I’m sure that the War Memorial would be as well. It’s too much out of the way there

Memorial Gardens is a fitting location [36 comments]

Respondents felt that the Memorial Gardens was a suitable location to move the War Memorial to. Some felt that this would be a better focal point for residents than in its current location, and that people would spend more time there and make better use of the Gardens, which could be developed around the new war memorial setting.

• Good idea to make better use of memorial gardens • This is a well loved part of the village and I think it would be nice for this to be with the gardens • The location seems much more fitting • A nice little area for the new home of the war memorial • If moving the war memorial is inevitable then the open space of the memorial garden near St. Matthews Church would be a fitting location. • A place were people can sit and reflect , pleasant garden area • A bigger area for remembrance service and encourage using green spaces • Would be better on 11 November, wouldn't have to close to much of road • It would be nice to be able to sit and reflect and look at the memorial rather than walking past it as we do now its outside the library.

• Makes absolute sense. Would help give Gardens a meaningful focus as well greater usage. • Locating the memorial to the Memorial Gardens would place it in a Peaceful location. Possibly mounted on a plinth with some kind of statuary. • Create a garden area in partnership with local garden centre/nursery.

Remembrance ceremonies better in current location [16 comments]

Respondents felt that remembrance services were better at the current library site than within the Memorial Gardens. The Gardens were thought to be too small and there was concern about standing or walking over graves, and about the conditions underfoot, which could get muddy. People also felt that occasional road closures were a small price to pay compared to the sacrifice made by those who were commemorated.

• It is not a disruption to have the remembrance service once a year on a Sunday and close the road & there is amply space outside to hold the service. • Remembrance Service is better kept where it is currently held as it is so peaceful having the roads completely closed with no noisy passing traffic. • The memorial garden …[is] not large enough for the number of people who attend the service. • On remberance day the is a large turn out of people paying there respects. It is held In the centre of the village with a good veiw from multiple sides. Would the relocated place be able to accommodate 1000plus people paying there respects? • There is no room at your planned relocation. There's just enough room at the library. We make it work. • On Remembrance Sunday people congregate outside the library to show their respect. If it is in the Memorial Garden people would be standing on wet grass, if it had rained heavy, which would be a health and safety issue. • Remembrance Sunday the crowds that attend are phenonmenal - the gardens would not accommodate the numbers. • The Memorial Garden is actually a cemetery so by relocating the War Memorial the unmarked graves would be marched across at Remembrance Parades - very disrespectful.

Proposal Five: Town centre gateways

This proposal is to improve the junction with Market Street and Church Street with a traffic light-controlled junction containing pedestrian crossing phases to provide a safer and more pleasant pedestrian experience. There is also the opportunity to replace the roundabout at the junction with Market Street and High Street with similar pedestrian crossing improvements.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal Five: base 250

The majority of respondents agreed with this proposal, feeling that the safety of pedestrians and motorists needed improving urgently. Those answering ‘partly’ or ‘no’ were concerned that about added congestion as a result of traffic lights.

Additional junctions were suggested for improvements, along with further pedestrian crossing, although some felt that there were enough crossings already, which were little used.

Further traffic calming measures were suggested, such as measures to enforce the 20mph limit on Mytham Road and ensuring that residential roads were not used as rat runs.

Market Street could be partially pedestrianised; some felt that cycling should be permitted, along with restricted access for delivery vehicles. People also suggested that cyclist of all types [such as those pulling trailers] needed to be considered when improving junctions, along with pedestrians with limited mobility.

A total of 177 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below.

Number of Categorised comments – Proposal five respondents Current situation is dangerous 73 Improve other junctions / add further crossings 41 Proposals will make situation worse 30 Agree changes to Market St / Church St required 28 Agree changes to Market St / High St required 27 Just agree in general 23 Keep roundabout Market St / High St 19 Traffic calming / control required 15

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Current situation is dangerous [73 comments]

Respondents felt that improvements were needed to junctions for all users, particularly pedestrians and motorists. The junctions could be particularly difficult to negotiate for those who had mobility issues.

• Both areas are dangerous to cross • I’ve witnessed drivers not stop on the crossing. A lady lost her life a few years ago on the village hit and run • Its about time something was done with that junction, its an absolute nightmare during rush hours and the School runs.. I hate crossing roads at these junctions as im disabled and am slow at walking, it will be a godsend to every one. • Crossing the road in little lever is a nightmare. If you can’t run you have to make a massive detour to the pelican crossing. • That junction is dangerous as when turning from ainsworth rd to either turn left or straight onto church st, you can’t see what traffic is coming • Need safer crossing at both ends of Market St • People fly over the roundabout and don’t give way. A proper junction would reduce risk. At the other end the corner is tight and therefore a proper junction will reduce risk and accidents • That bend is currently awful. • Trying to cross in front/side of chemist to bus stop is very difficult at peak time. • Very dangerous trying to cross to the library.

Improve other junctions / add further crossings [41 comments]

Respondents suggested other junction improvements that were required, or where additional crossing were needed. Road widening, removal / addition of crossing points were amongst the suggestions. • Mini roundabout at the top of red car road is also very dangerous as people don’t observe correct use of it • Widening of the corner of Market Street and Church Street and therefore another small roundabout would improve traffic flow anyway. Pedestrian crossings at the other end would help facilitate safer crossing for the public whilst still maintaining traffic flow. • Further out towards Stopes rod where numerous accidents occur on a weekly basis needs updating • Pelican crossings should be installed across top of Mytham Road, one from Market hall to video shop. • Something must be done about the bend! • Zebra crossing on the corner of Market St is extremely dangerous & who puts a crossing on a corner - ??. • Top of Church St needs to be looked at

• Maybe road widening & a roundabout at the Market St/Church St junction to enable the traffic flow to keep moving. • Definitely make proper lights at the junction of Church Street and Market Street. This should have been done years ago. It’s always been a bad junction. The zebra crossing and two sets of pelican lights would have to be removed.

Proposals will make situation worse [30 comments]

It was felt that if the changes were implemented, they would either exacerbate existing problems or create new ones. Congestion was the major issue, with respondents feeling that the changes would cause traffic to back up at lights, or to make people use side roads and housing estates to escape traffic build up in the town centre.

• That will make the existing junction dangerous. • You will cause further delays to the through traffic by creating traffic calming alon Market Street. This in turn will encourage motorists to take an alternative route through Little Lever by using Aintree Road and Redcar Road. • Consideration needs to be given to potential rat running via Redcar Road and Aintree Road if this proposal goes ahead. • Traffic can be bad so it would get worse with lights in situ. • Traffic lights cause traffic to move slower than it already is, putting more in will cause further chaos & frustration. • You would need to consider traffic coming up from Moses gate as at school times this is already horrendous and putting in addition crossing and traffic lights could make this even worse • Having traffic lights at both ends will make the flow of traffic through the village worse at certain times of the day. • Market Street/ Church Street problems will NOT be solved with even more traffic lights. A solution needs to help the flow of traffic, not more stoppages. Large vehicles including busses hold up traffic because they need to use both sides of the road as they swing round.

Agree changes to Market St / Church St required [28 comments]

Respondents felt that the changes proposed would improve the junction for pedestrians, motorists and other users. • Traffic lights are badly needed • The proposed lights are long overdue at the top of Church St...and since Tesco opened it's gone even worse...a lot more traffic and an awkard junction... • Has become worse if that was possible since the crossing was put in to access tescos from the gardens which is so close to the junction • Junction…could certainly be improved, the recently installed pedestrian crossings are not effective. • There must be a safer smarter way for pedestrians and car users alike. • Deffo needs lights • A terrible junction and something needs to be done ASAP • Agree with traffic lights,,,but traffic flow should be the prioroty not pedestrians

Agree changes to Market St / High St required [27 comments]

The removal of the roundabout and installation of a pedestrian crossing was welcomed by respondents who felt that it would improve traffic flow. The crossing would be safer for pedestrians, and the junction better for motorists and other road users.

• Would help with the flow of traffic and make crossing the road easier, also the roundabout is a waste of time • People don't know how to use roundabout proper it is misused daily. Traffic lights would be better

• Yes because not pedestrian friendly. • Definitely need better crossing facilities at the roundabout end • People fly over the roundabout and don’t give way. A proper junction would reduce risk. • Any improvement to the roundabout could be a bonus to pedestrians crossing to catch a bus. • A safer crossing could be put in place • Roundabout being replaced with lights good as I've witnessed drivers not stop on the crossing.

Just agree in general [23 comments]

This category includes comments from respondents who commented generally that the proposal was a good one.

• Fantastic idea • Been the worse feature of little lever forever !! • Consider this as a priority. • This is a good proposal, especially as more traffic than ever is passing through Little Lever, including from diversions. • Sensible • Best proposal put forward so far.

Keep roundabout Market St / High St [19 comments]

The roundabout should remain, as it helped to keep traffic moving, whereas lights could cause traffic to back up.

• At least with a roundabout traffic keeps moving • Strongly object to removing the roundabout - it keeps traffic flowing. Since development near canal & surrounding estates, the roundabout is very much needed • Think the roundabout should stay the same as traffic lights would cause too much congestion there. • Nothing wrong with the roundabout though, it works perfectly fine as it is. • Would that not mean moving the bus stops. • Leave the roundabout as it is.

Traffic calming / control required [15 comments]

Additional traffic calming measures were suggested, particularly enforcing speed limits.

• There is a lot of speeding throughout the village especially near the schools • Some cars use that road like a race track at night • Traffic calming measures shoudl be installed and measures taken to prevent the 'rat runs' thorugh residential areas i.e. Aintree Road. • Speed restrictions need to be enforced.

Proposal Six: Shopfront / business frontage facelift scheme

The proposal is to give the business / shop units along the northern side of Market Street (opposite the precinct) a facelift. This proposal would make Little Lever a more attractive place for residents and visitors and may lead to an increase in trade for local shops and businesses.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal Six: base 247

The vast majority of respondents agreed with this proposal. It was felt that the facelift scheme would make the area more attractive, and could increase trade, although there was view that external changes would have no effect on businesses. Some people suggested that the scheme should be extended to cover more premises, including housing. There were concerns about spending public money on private businesses and a feeling that it was for the businesses to decide if improvements were necessary. While some wanted a uniform scheme, others felt that individuality was important.

A greater retail /business mix was suggested to bring in more trade, and concerns were expressed about the effect of the scheme on existing businesses, who may suffer from increase rent / rates, or lose trade while improvements were carried out.

The was a feeling that other improvements were necessary; for example, preventing shops from having solid shutters, not permitting them to display stock on the street, and increasing greenery to make the area more attractive. Parking was again raised as an issue, as was access for people with mobility issues.

A total of 154 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below.

Number of Categorised comments – Proposal six respondents Will look better / improve the area 68 Need to encourage businesses / improve retail mix 31 Extend to other premises 18 Against uniform scheme / needs to blend in 16 Business should pay / decide if they want improvements 15 Won’t improve trade or attract businesses 11 Concern about cost to / effect on businesses 10 Will increase trade / footfall 10

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Will look better / improve the area [68 comments]

Respondents agreed that the facelift scheme would make the area more attractive; many felt that improvements had been needed for some time as the current frontages were looking a little tired and in need of attention.

• Look old and dated and need updating. More modern timeless frontage is needed. • Look uninviting as they currently are • Needs a facelift. Looking tired. • Shabby and needs a refurb. • Badly needs updating looks to drab and badly maintained. • Has needed a facelift for some time and would make a huge difference. • Brilliant, will make the whole village look more modern • Looking a little drab. • These shops, etc are much less attractive than the precinct side • Needs smartening up • The shopfronts could look better. • Will improve the look of our village. • Looks a bit dated and a facelift would improve it a lot. • Badly needs updating looks to drab and badly maintained. • Anything to make market street more attractive would be welcome • Would enhance the appearance of the shops. • This would enhance the appearance of the shops.

Need to encourage businesses / improve retail mix [31 comments]

In addition to supporting current business, respondents wanted to encourage new businesses to improve the mix and encourage residents to shop locally.

• Efforts need to be made to encourage village residents to shop local to promote local entrepreneurs and keep the current village identity • Encouraging more new businesses to fill the vacant shops would-be more productive than a facelift • ensure that the shops on the street are selling things that people want. • Presumably rents and rates will be attractive enough to encourage traders to stay? • provided businesses are encouraged to take up these units • Building trade is great. However please limit takeaways we have too many • more needs to be done to attract businesses. • Shops are closing at a vast rate how are you going to bring them in!!!

• Make the shops affordable, avoid making the rates too high otherwise they will close, and Market St looks a mess again • New businesses need to be encouraged to start up in the village. • more food shops needed not enough choice lunchtime trade for workers in area going to Farnworth or Radcliffe for fast food outlets

Extend to other premises [18 comments]

Respondents felt that the facelift should be available to other premises in the centre, particularly to those within the precinct and surrounds, with some preferring this to an extension of the precinct. Housing could be included.

• All shops and business within Little Lever deserve facade improvements • All need updating. the precinct draws your eye to awful loud signage and the large charity shop looks a mess • Shops in the pictures you have used on your leaflets are not on the plans to benefit from this. • Go all the way to Lower High St and on to Church Street for continuity • As long as all businesses are getting a fair share then maybe. Not just the centre. • Why can’t you do the same for the precinct we have rather that making a monstrosity of a building that towers over us all. • What about high street?! • All the businesses could do with a facelift not just one side! • I live in one of the properties mentioned...it was a shop premises but now just a house...I would welcome the facelift proposed... • Grants for homeowners along Church Street to render fronts.

Against uniform scheme / needs to blend in [16 comments]

Any facelifts needed to be in keeping with the current feel of the centre. Comments in this category were against any uniformity and wanted to keep an individual appearance to the shops.

• Don't agree if they are all going to look the same. I think it is better to pay for decorating the individual shops. Bolton have already done this on Newport Street, and it is banal • Should involve cleaning the brickwork and a new coat of paint for the shops. However, the paint should be the same colour as it currently is. I do not support making the Little Lever shopfronts look like the shopfronts on Newport Street in Bolton Town Centre i.e. new, garish colours that are not in keeping with the village aesthetic or character. • Some need attention, but wouldn’t like them to be uniform • Needs to be kept in keeping and not like the houses on victory road • So long as the 'character' of the buildings is not overlooked • Should still be in keeping with how they used to be.

Business should pay / decide if they want improvements [15 comments]

Respondents felt that it should be up to individual businesses to make improvements to their own premises and / or felt that improvements should not be funded by the Council / taxpayers. Some felt that the improvements could be part funded, or that there should be some other commitment from private owners.

• As long as businesses contributed and committed to stay • These shop units are bought as an investment (probably to become Chemists when the Health Centre eventually opens) - they are owned by wealthy businessmen who choose to spend their money elsewhere. Let them pay for improvements to THEIR properties. • Not council owned so its up to shop owners to keep them in good repair. Why should they get council money? • Business can pay own shop facelift

• Cant see how this would work as business fronts are privately owned? • If the businesses there are happy for it to be done • Ask people who own the shops what they want.

Won’t attract trade or businesses [11 comments]

Respondents felt that improving the façade of a shop had little effect on trade, and that this would not attract new businesses to Little lever unless other issues were addressed.

• Improving shop fronts will not increase trade appreciately. If a business is good, it doesn't matter what it looks like. • New businesses will not come to Little Lever. • Only if the interiors/goods offered and levels of service will trade increase. • When they improved shop fronts on Newport Street in Bolton by painting them different colour, it made no difference to the trade. • Not sure the attractiveness of the shop fronts really keeps a business going • A new facelift is not going to make any difference when they have been empty for years • No "Local Shops & Businesses". Just service premises & a charity shop, therefore no increase in trade will happen.

Concern about cost to / effect on businesses [10 comments]

Respondents were worried that businesses would suffer a loss of trade during renovations, would not be able to afford the costs or would be subject to increased rents or rates as a result of the improvements

• It would increase the cost of rents for businesses that they can ill afford. What’s happens to these businesses while the buildings are being redeveloped? • As long as it doesn't effect the existing business - their trade during work, their on-going rent and their long term prospects. • The cost of this could be hard for the businesses to pay and could mean the closure of some of the businesses, which would mean empty shops and therefore less people coming into the village centre • Not at the expense of an increase in rental, etc - we don't want to drive out the businesses, and be left wih smart looking empty shops. These businesses are creating jobs for local people which is more important than an attractive place. • At no cost to existing businesses • Will businesses be reimbursed or expected to shoulder the costs? • The project needs to offer present businesses support during the rennovation.

Will increase trade / footfall [10 comments]

Respondents felt that businesses should benefit from increases to facades as people would be attracted to Little Lever and trade may increase.

• Will give the village a boost in their trade • May lead to an increase in trade for local shops and businesses – • The facades of the shops are of poor quality, and unattractive to people from outside the area. • Businesses would do better • This could potentially attract new retailers and footfall in the village. Making it a place that both residents and visitors will want to visit.

Proposal Seven: Promotion of housing development in and around the town centre

New homes would increase the town centre population which would help improve the vibrancy of the town centre, especially in the evenings. Sites for consideration include those already with planning permission to the west and north of Tesco and a cleared site at the back of Hannon Holmes Limited. Vacant land adjacent to the Conservative Club lends itself to a residential development that could include town houses overlooking the pedestrian path that runs behind St Mathew’s CE Primary School.

Do you agree with this proposal?

LL MP Proposal Seven: base 242

Many agreed with this proposal, some with caveats around the type of housing, or the sort of people who would occupy it. Others thought that there was enough hosing available already.

There were concerns about infrastructure [schools and health services], car parking, loss of green space / habitat, community areas and crime and anti-social behaviour.

Whilst a few people thought that additional housing would increase vibrancy, others felt that it would not, or that a quiet centre was preferable. Some felt that a better retail / eating / drinking offer would be required before vibrancy could be achieved.

Other housing sites were suggested, such as the old health centre.

A total of 186 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below.

Number of Categorised comments – Proposal seven respondents Housing is required 76 Enough houses already 53 Concerns re infrastructure 41 Loss of green space / environmental concerns 39 Traffic concerns 28 Crime / ASB / safety concerns 23 Parking concerns 21 Won't bring / don't need vibrancy 18 Quality / appropriateness of builds 17 Need community space / activities 16

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Housing is required [76 comments]

Respondents were in favour of further housing development or accepted that it was needed. Some specified the type of housing which they felt was desired, and these sub-categories are included below.

• I agree with adding some more houses to the village • Modern town centres would benefit from these types of housing developments • Houses I agree with • new houses would be brilliant • prefer more housing in the areas above, rather than on the precinct • Would support any development of Housing. • Some areas could do with being upgraded and new homes maybe added to areas that need • Always good to make use of vacant unused land. • I understand the need for housing • Good to have some more homes but town houses. • More houses are needed. • Agree with more houses/apartments. • The village is forever growing and needs more property

13 respondents felt that housing should be affordable • Social affordable housing needed. • As long as these are affordable homes which are in VERY short supply

13 felt that it should be for Little Lever residents • Keep the houses for people of Little Lever • As long as priority is given to current Little Lever residents • For Local Little Lever folk • Depends if it's going to open your just villagers or anyone from Bolton areas • Agree if the housing is for people from Little Lever. People have been drafted in from all the rough places. Not good for people who have always been here.

4 respondents suggested that any new housing should be for elderly residents “We need more bungalows/apartments built to accommodate the elderly residents who are no longer able to access stairs”. 4 respondents that housing is should be for young people / families “Little lever is short of homes for young families”.

Enough houses already [53 comments]

Respondents felt that there was already enough housing in Little Lever, with developments over a number of years adding to the growing population of the town.

• The last thing we need in little lever are more houses • There is no need to increase the population • The village is bursting at the seems with housing as it is. • Little lever is too crowded. • Little Lever is over developed as it is. • I think population is already at its limit in this area • Little Lever is already well populated. • Already plenty of homes in and around the centre. • Little Lever is at bursting point. • No, NO, No. This whole exercise would appear to be a smoke screen by the Council to add more houses to an already over populated area. • More than enough housing in little lever. • The village would lose it's identity with every spare piece of land becoming residential development. • There are many suitable, empty homes • Little Lever is a village/small town. We have more than enough people already. Any person wishing to live in Little Lever can easily fine a vacant property to purchase. Please stop trying to turn Little Lever in to a massive housing estate.

Concerns re infrastructure [41 comments]

Respondents felt that additional building would not be matched by the infrastructure, particularly schools and health services, which were already under pressure.

• Other services need to be looked into ie school spaces • The villages facilities (the doctors) are already struggling with numbers. I currently have to wait a fortnight for an appointment. Making more residential areas would stretch the facilities even more • schools are full,doctors are full • Are there school places in Little Lever for more families? • I am a school governor and we May need another primary school for extra children. • Consideration needs to be given to already crowded schools, health services and Police support in the area, unless more Nursery & School places are developed no more housing for families. • We should be focussing on better facilities for the youth and elderly. • There aren't enough services/facilities for the current population. • Little Lever is a busy place, is there enough infrastructure to support more houses. Are the schools big enough to accept more pupils. • Are our existing facilities going to be improved? Are new ones to be built? • Increasing population only puts a strain on all services. • There is no proposal to build a new school to accomodate all these new families who will live in said properties. The schools in this village are already full to capacity

Loss of green space / environmental concerns [39 comments]

Respondents express concern about the loss of green space and its associated flora and fauna. They felt that enhancements should be carried out where needed, to preserve these areas for the good of local residents and the planet.

• LL is becoming a concrete jungle. All my childhood haunts have now been built on.

• The footpath behind St Matt's is an amazing wildlife corridor with a huge variety of wildlife. The vacant land provides habitats for small mammals which brings in birds of prey. Taking this away would remove stuck vital wildlife which our young people are trying to wake us up to realise we need the green spaces and the trees and the wildlife. I think you'd be doing our children a disservice by hard landscaping over it. The green space is important, especially the "vacant" space inhabited by more life than you can imagine. • As long as we retain the “wood” that the pedestrian path behind StMathews runs through. Trees are important & more should be planted if there are more cars & people moving in • We need more trees to combat the traffic pollution from the main road. • There is a reason land is labelled 'green belt' and it should be protected. • Rather than houses looking over the footpath it would be more beneficial to improve the current green space. • The only thing I strongly disagree on …is the land between High Street and James Street be potentially used for housing in the future. We still need greenery in the village and this is a beautiful piece of land that should stay untouched. • Little Lever is being swamped with new houses but is losing its parks and green spaces, places where people meet and children play. • The land behind the Conservative club is the only green area in the village apart from the grass on the right hand side as you leave the village towards Stopes Road and you want to build on both of them… I would have thought though that more would have been made of the environmental aspects of the plans. It is the biggest crises facing the planet … You even want to build on Memorial Gardens! …the land at the back of the club is a bit of a mess and there are tons of litter dumped there so it does need sprucing up but at present also there are birds, squirrels and insects living there and thought MUST be given to how this is going to effect carbon plans in the area…Trees and green areas are also good for mental health

Traffic concerns [28 comments]

Respondents were worried that increasing the population of Little Lever would add to traffic congestion in the area and felt that the current roads could not cope.

• Too much traffic now • Little Lever is very busy with traffic already • Increased traffic needs to be looked at …nightmare getting in and out of little lever • Roads in and around the area are already narrow and full of cars. • To much traffic and only one road • Too much traffic in area now only only one major road going to Bolton • Already huge volumes of traffic in little lever • Would be concerned with the amount of village centre traffic that would be increased

Crime / ASB / safety concerns [23 comments]

Respondents felt that Little Lever had insufficient police to deal with current levels of crime and anti-social behaviour, and that further housing would simply exacerbate the issue residents already faced. There was a feeling that the kinds of people who would be attracted to or placed in this type of housing would cause trouble.

Enhanced policing was requested, along with lightening to help residents feel safe and discourage anti-social behaviour, particularly from youths.

• Provided more community support to police and maintain the area was funded by the coucil • Any way we can stop having secluded areas that are abused by youngsters and lazy dog walkers including better lighting in all areas. • More people equals more antisocial behaviour! • Efforts should also be made to reduce crime and the drug culture • The estabishment of a cess pit of dysfunctional people is a distinct possibility.

• Bolton at Home has a policy of housing people with social problems in the properties in Little Lever. If these residencies are Bolton at Home or another housing association, there is a continued risk to the demographic - the area will not improve and there will be a migration of higher socio-economic groups out of the area. • No high rise apartments, thes attract trouble • Needs police stations as too many idiots/ youths causing havoc & damage/steal from properties • We do not need any more antisocial behaviour, drunkenness & drug issues. • The police state in last minutes they cannot cope … Crimes increased over the past few years resulting in 4 murders, more burglaries, more car crimes and more violent thugs robbing people with knives at Tesco cash machines. No more houses. Little Lever is becoming violent and we have no police.

Parking concerns [21 comments]

Some respondents agreed with more housing if it came with adequate parking for its residents. Others felt there was insufficient parking already and more residents would make this worse. New areas for car parks were suggested.

• Not enough parking now • Cars parked all over pavements where ever you go in the village. • Parking is a great problem here • More parking is needed in the centre of the village • The land around the Conservative Club should remain either open, or for car parking only. • We need lots of parking now let alone if new houses are built • Provided that planning permission is only granted on a limited number with car parking • Provided adequate parking was made available adjacent to properties.

Won’t bring / don’t need vibrancy [18 comments]

Respondent were sceptical that additional housing would bring vibrancy, since the area was already populated, but there was little to do in the evenings. Some felt that vibrancy was not something that Little Lever required.

• Nothing to do in little lever at evenings apart from a few pubs and the cube. Hardly going to be vibrant • Little Lever is already well populated. Not much in the centre to bring people out to visit at night. • New homes will not improve "vibrancy" in a centre that is effectively a no go area to any person who currently resides in Little Lever and knows how intimidating the current village square is in the evenings. • Only if they are sufficient "nice" shop and cafes are there to encourage people to go out at night as there is not a lot going on at the moment in the evenings • There would be more traffic and people going to and from their homes but to say it will improve the vibrancy is not true. Parks and public sitting areas cafes etc places where people meet, sit improve vibrancy. • Iimproved vibrancy is great but 4 local pubs have been turned into businesses such as accounts, estate agents, nursery and residential flats. None of this has helped the vibrancy. • We do not need more housing in the village- you have said to improve the vibrancy of the town. LL is not a town it is a VILLAGE and shoud have a village feel. • To try to portray an evening culture is farcical.

Quality / appropriateness of builds [17 comments]

Respondents were keen that any new development should be small-scale, in keeping with the character of the area and made of appropriate materials. • Nowhere have the words eco-friendly, affordable or climate change been used. Any new accommodation needs to be affordable and heated by electricity (not gas which will be phased out) and solar panels as standard. • Town houses would be in keeping with other property in the proposed areas, providing they are not too high • What height are the houses as property on Aintree are going to be overlooked. • If houses are built they must fit in with the rest of the area, no high rise apartments, thes attract trouble. The site to the side of TESCO IS ALREADY being developed. • If building is done they should have some character not square boxes like those on Victory Road. • Houses I agree with but not blocks of flats • Far from improving the centre may develop into "shabby" housing. • As long as there are not too many houses crammed in

Need community space / activities [16 comments]

As covered in other sections, respondents felt that Little Lever needed space for informal leisure and play, and organised activities or places to go. Community gardens / allotments were amongst the suggestions.

• We need to keep alot of grass areas for our children to play on • Should be focussing on better facilities for the youth and elderly • Little Lever is being swamped with new houses but is losing its parks and green spaces, places where people meet and children play. • Land next to the conservative club would make a lovely community garden/ men’s shed… would fulfil many of the aims of the improvement project providing a service/ interest for all residents including school children, adults and children with special needs, retirees etc. • Enrich and improve the community space for Little Lever residents..One possible use… would be allotments/community gardens, which residents and students from the local schools could maintain. This would improve social cohesion and teach the students about nature.

Do you have any other comments / suggestions for Little Lever Town Centre?

Participants in the consultation process wanted more activities, event, and community space. Suggestions included facilities for children and young people, outdoor play and exercise areas, adult education classes and informal areas where people could meet. The current health centre was proposed for indoor use, with the current playground, grass by Dovebank Estate or land by High Street / James Street for outdoor use.

Crime and anti-social behaviour needed to be tackled with increased CCTV / police presence.

A better retail offer, either larger chain stores, or independent small shop was suggested, together with a better provision / quality of eating and drinking establishments along with businesses in general, including a bank and post office. The Market Hall could be improved. Access for people with disabilities needed to be included for all businesses.

It was suggested that the boundary of the Masterplan be extended to cover areas such as Stopes Road, Herbert Street, and Mytham Park & Bowling Club. People felt that the Masterplan had not been publicised enough, that it should have been carried out by a local firm, and that more local residents and businesses should have been consulted earlier.

Green areas and open spaces should be protected and improved, the look of the area could be enhanced with trees, hanging baskets and other flora. The canal area could be made attractive for residents and visitors alike.

Roads, pavements and junctions could be improved to improve access for pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Better parking would encourage residents and visitors to use the centre, especially if litter was tackled, and seating, signs and public toilets were installed. Some felt that business should contribute to the costs of any improvements and be responsible for litter generated by their customers.

The village feel and unique character of Little Lever should be preserved and celebrated: some did not feel that change was necessary, while others favoured sensitively done improvements. Housing was mention again, with some in favour and others against.

A total of 178 comments were received to this question. The comments have been coded and categorised - and those with 10 or more in a category are shown in the table below.

Number of Categorised comments – Other comments respondents Need leisure facilities / events / community space 51 Crime / safety / ASB 47 Improve retail / business offer 35 Masterplan process / boundary / consultation concerns 33 Retain / improve green areas / flora and environmental improvements 29 Roads / pavements / junctions / congestion 27 Keep village feel / USP 26 Improve precinct / shop fronts 17 Parking 16 Litter / cleanliness 12

A sample of the comments relating to each category are given below

Need leisure facilities / events / community space [51 comments]

Respondents felt that more attention should be paid to leisure facilities and provision of activities and events, along with space for the community to use. Things suggested included youth clubs, indoor / outdoor exercise and sports facilities, along with informal community space such as places to meet were suggested. Respondents also wanted more events organised and adult learning facilities in their own community.

• Facilities for young people need to be considered into the plans if they are to have a stake in Little Lever’s Masterplan • Something for the children of little lever so they don't have to walk the streets and sit outside tesco. • Something for the young people of Little Lever, lots of bored gangs of kids at night and especially weekends • What is being put in for the children? Parks/play area's/ skate parks/football area's etc. • Children's Play Areas are a disgrace. Canal is biggest asset - investment in that area would attract visitors • Bring back the community carnivals. More community events I love the support f rom fellow villagers. • More events encouraged if there is to be a new square to attempt to encourage people to get back the community spirit • Pleasant areas to sit, more community events • Could the community centre on mytham road not be better used? • A building where people could go to learn. Hopefully it would incorporate classes for crafting, sewing, painting, music, cooking etc. Bring the classes to us. We don't want to travel to college! • Turn Mytham Park into a space that can host village wide events e.g. fetes, inter-school sports days, and concerts. It could even include an open-air cinema. These community-wide events would be a boon for the village and be a unique attraction. T

Crime / safety / antisocial behaviour [47 comments]

Respondents were concerned about crime and antisocial behaviour, especially from youths who could be intimidating and deter people from using the centre, especially in the evening. More policing and use of CCTV was requested, along with better lighting and a clamp down on speeding and illegal parking.

• Needs to be policed better before anything else • Also some police presence would be very welcome. Maybe turn the old library into a police depot • A better Police presence and community officers to police the area. • Cctv is number one priority with a Police presence. • We need our CCTV camera's to be working recently far too much local crime going on and nothing being done. • A speed camera would also help reduce the average early morning/late evening speed from 60mph to 30mph! • Traffic warden needed behind the precinct to stop cars parking there all day. How can I shop local when I there’s nowhere to park.

Improve retail / business offer [35 comments]

Respondents wanted a better variety of shops, cafes, pubs and restaurants and other businesses. Some wanted the larger chain stores, others preferred local independents. A bank, post office and new supermarkets were also suggested. Business rates and rents should be lowered to encourage new businesses to move into the area.

• Need to lower rates then more businesses like proper bakers etc to move in • Evenings places for adults would bring vibrancy to the village and would discourage teens from hanging around there late at night too. I would personally love there to be a little tapas bar in the village. • A nice eating place in evening would be nice • Reducing the shop rents to give businesses a chance. Limiting the foot outlets and trying to get more small businesses and not large corporate companies. More local produce • Less charity shops and make it attractive for small independent retailers • Some bigger names shops would be great such as Aldi, Home Bargains or B and M • We need a Macdonald’s. Or kfc. And an Aldi or Lidl. • Build new pub restaurant at the side of the old canary pub, where the people of L/L can dine and enjoy a pint • Hopefully it won't attract more takeaways - we already have more than enough. Need a bank, disgusting that a town our size was allowed to be left without!!! • A decent supermarket • It’s a suburb, …the majority of people will commute for work and then travel to Bury, Bolton, Manchester for entertainment. Encouraging more larger businesses to be based in the village would pull in more passing trade

Masterplan process / boundary / consultation concerns [33 comments]

Comments were received around the Masterplan process. Respondents felt they should have been involved earlier in the process, that a local firm should have been commissioned and that the consultation had not been publicised. This category also includes comments around the scope of the Masterplan, which some felt should cover a different area or be more ambitious. Some also suggested that the masterplan was just a ploy to increase the housing stock.

• Go back to the drawing board, exclude the idea that Tesco is part of the little lever high street, it needs isolating from the plans entirely • The area that the masterplan covers should be expanded beyond Market Street. For example, up to the canal basin or at least to include Mytham Park. • The boundaries are superficial and not well thought out • This masterplan serves more as a plan to build more residential homes rather than a plan to create a vibrant town centre • Perhaps consideration of planner who actually lives in this community. • Concerned there are lots of people in the village who do not know about this consultation, people who rarely use the village at the moment. • We do require further consultation on this subject. Hopefully it wll be better advertised. • These plans need to be seen as an artist impression or a model to fully apprectiate the changes.

Retain / improve green areas and flora, and environmental improvements [29 comments]

Parks and other green areas should be protected, and improved, Additional flora could be provided, for example more trees, community gardens and hanging baskets. Any buildings etc should be built with environmental considerations in mind.

• The green beyond the old Canary Tavern should be kept. The village centre should have more tree planting in its plan...all the developments will result in a loss of trees, there should be plans to replace them • Plants and trees would help the feel of the place. Give businesses a planter to look after etc.. maybe go for Britain in Bloom or something to make people take ownership and want to look after the place. • More small tree planting and green area, shrubs. • Keep as much green space as possible! • The agreement to go carbon neutral by the Council should be considered in ALL decisions. We could gain more visitors and improve the local economy by leading the way in this area. It's easier to do things right from the start than have to retrofit buildings later too. • Make more of the location of Little Lever - i.e. the canal, river and country park. • Look after the St Matts Grave Yard it's disgusting

Roads / pavements / junctions / congestion [27 comments]

Improvements were suggested to make life easier for all users, motorists, pedestrians and cyclists alike. Pavements and roads should be well maintained and dropped pavements installed for those with mobility issues.

• Junction on the bend needs sorting out its very dangerous • Consider current residents that are already stuck in traffic in a morning and evening it can take longer to get out of the village than the rest of the journey • Many roads and pavements are in a very poor state of repair • So hard to push a wheelchair past mytham school due to there not having drop kerbs on the doctors side of the road and a ridiculously narrow pavement on the opposite side that is very steep and also slopes into the road. This road needs improving if you move my doctors from the current location. • Repair the roads and pavements using hot tar nor the cold tar as it peels off. Remove the small roundabout at the junction of Redcar Rd and Church St as is has a blind spot, if pulling out from Redcar Rd. Traffic buildouts are required on Redcar and Aintree Rds to deter speeding. • I agree with the improvement precinct traffic lights • Stop cars using race course estate as rat run • Pot holes - roads need resurfacing. Could cause accident.

Keep village feel / USP [26 comments]

Respondents were concerned about losing the unique character of Little Lever, which still retained a village feel. Any developments should enhance and not destroy its unique character.

• Little Lever is not a town its a village and always will be • The proposed health centre & library roof looks as though it is an industrial unit - please have a traditional design in keeping with a village. • The history of the village needs to be highlighted. • This is a village not a town & it should stay that way. • Shops need to be appropriate, not pound shops, phone shops. they need to be in keeping with a village lifestyle • Take a deep breath & re-think. This is an exxciting opportunity to make Little Lever a pretty & sustainable village • Dont spoil our village. • The village is attractive to its residents and others because of its ‘village’ family feel, any plans need to ensure this is maintained

Improve precinct / shop fronts [17 comments]

Respondents were in favour of improvements to the precinct and shops in the town centre, some with the proviso that this should be funded by the businesses who would benefit.

• Make the owners of precinct spend money to give facelift place is a 70's eyesore. • A face lift would be good but not over the top which I think some of the proposals are. • upgrade shop fronts. • Shops need a facelift perhaps removing the plastic signage and shutters to make it more inviting • A smarter overall look to the village which has been under invested for many years. • Facelift to all shop fronts get rid of all the takeaway neon signs, especially the ones sticking out and stop letting charity shop put things on pavements looks unsightly

Parking [16 comments]

The lack of parking was raised as an issue, particularly if people were to be encouraged to shop locally, and visitors from elsewhere attracted.

• More parking near the old library end of the village. • More parking needs to be provided. • Some more car parks are needed, short term parking and on Market St with no return within 2 hours would help. • More parking is required for the current shops • On Dearden St cut back grass verge to create residents only parking. • Trust the village parking is to remain free as charges discourage people from visiting. • How can I shop local when I there’s nowhere to park?

Litter / cleanliness [12 comments]

The centre needed to be tidied up and kept litter free. Additional bins were suggested. • Clean the town centre twice a week and sweep the bus stops. Get takeaways to clean the streets properly around their establishments. • The litter in the village is dreadful that needs to be sorted. • Tarting up the town centre is good, but the rest of the town is neglected and scruffy. Gutters filled with detritus, moss and weeds on walkways. • More community incentives to help with litter. • More places/ bins to collect litter • Hall Lane and approaching Little Lever is a mess with much rubbish/litter.

Questionnaire

Little Lever Town Centre Masterplan Consultation Background A draft masterplan for Little Lever Town Centre has been developed and we would like to get your views on the initial proposals. It is important that residents, visitors and other stakeholders express their views to help guide and shape decisions. Please read the information in the summary document before completing the questions below. Please be aware that the answers you give in this questionnaire will be passed on to a team of town centre development experts (led by BDP) who have been appointed by Bolton Council to develop a masterplan for Little Lever in partnership with key stakeholders and in consultation with the public.

Proposal One: Redevelopment of the precinct for shops and apartments The proposal is to redevelop the precinct site to create shops and cafes at street level with apartments above. Some new short stay car parking will be provided on Market Street to help attract passing trade. Four floors of apartments above the shops will increase town centre living which will improve the vibrancy of the town centre, especially in the evenings. Q1 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q2 Please explain your answer

Proposal Two: New town square The proposal is to create a new town square between the new library / health centre and the redeveloped precinct which would become the heart of the town centre. The town square could be used for markets and other events but at other times can be used for car parking. Q3 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q4 Please explain your answer

Proposal Three: Former library building Once the new library and health centre is built the former library will become vacant. The proposal is to secure a new use for the library building and redevelop the surrounding area (including the garages to the rear) for mixed use development. This would involve relocating the war memorial (see proposal four). Q5 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q6 Please explain your answer

Proposal Four: Relocation of the war memorial A war memorial is set into the facade of the existing Little Lever library and is a valued local memorial and the focus of annual community gatherings. Under the proposal this war memorial could be sensitively relocated to the Memorial Gardens at the western end of Market Street, where an appropriate and more spacious setting can be provided. A small commercial cafe or kiosk could also be provided to cater for those who wish to spend some time in the gardens. Q7 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q8 Please explain your answer

Proposal Five: Town Centre Gateways This proposal is to improve the junction with Market Street and Church Street with a traffic light controlled junction containing pedestrian crossing phases to provide a safer and more pleasant pedestrian experience. There is also the opportunity to replace the roundabout at the junction with Market Street and High Street with similar pedestrian crossing improvements. Q9 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q10 Please explain your answer

Proposal Six: Shopfront / business frontage facelift scheme The proposal is to give the business / shop units along the northern side (opposite the precinct) of Market Street a facelift. This proposal would make Little Lever a more attractive place for residents and visitors and may lead to an increase in trade for local shops and businesses. Q11 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q12 Please explain your answer

Proposal Seven: Promotion of housing development in and around the town centre New homes would increase the town centre population which would help improve the vibrancy of the town centre, especially in the evenings. Sites for consideration include those already with planning permission to the west and north of Tesco and a cleared site at the back of Hannon Holmes Limited. Vacant land adjacent to the Conservative Club lends itself to a residential development that could include town houses overlooking the pedestrian path that runs behind St Matthew's CE Primary School. Q13 Do you agree with this proposal?

Yes Partly No

Q14 Please explain your answer

Other comments Q15 Do you have any other comments / suggestions for Little Lever Town Centre?

About you So we can understand how our proposals affect different people, we would be grateful if you could answer the following questions. Any questions you prefer not to answer - please leave them blank. Q16 Please tick the box that most closely describes your interest in this issue (tick one box)

A resident in Little Lever An interested partner organisation (state below) A resident in another part of Bolton A community or voluntary group (state below) A business in Little Lever (state below) Other (state below) A business in another part of Bolton (state below) Q16 Please give the name of your business, organisation or group, or say in what capacity you are commenting.

If you are responding on behalf of an organisation, group or business you do not need to complete the remainder of this section Q17 What is your postcode?

Q18 What is your age?

Q19 Are you ... ? Male Female Other Q20 What is your ethnic origin?

White British Asian / Asian British Prefer not to say Other white Black / African / Caribbean / Black British Mixed / multiple ethnic groups Other ethnic group Q21 Are your day to day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or expected to last, at least 12 months?

Yes, limited a lot Yes, limited a little No Q22 Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either a long term physical or mental ill health / disability or problems due to old age? (do not count anything you do as part of your paid employment)

No Yes 1-19 hours a Yes 20-49 hours a Yes 50 hours or week week more a week Thank you for completing these questions. Please now either: a) hand your completed form to a member of staff or drop into a council building b) scan it and email it to [email protected] c) post it to: Freepost RTTT-YTEL-YSXS, Consultation & Research Team, 2nd Floor Town Hall, Victoria Square, Bolton, BL1 1RU (you do not need a stamp) To see the proposals in more detail and to complete an online questionnaire please go to www.investinbolton.com/littlelever

Consultation Information

Detailed demographics

About you

Q16 Please tick the box that most closely describes your interest in this issue

LL Q16 Base: 249

• An overwhelming majority [92%] of respondents were answering as a resident of Little Lever. • ‘Other’ consisted of six respondents, who were former residents, had family / friends in Little Lever, or worked in the town. • There was one respondent in each of the other categories shown in the chart, but these were less than 1% of the base.

Q17 What is your postcode? This was only asked to those who had ticked ‘resident’ in Q16.

LL Q17 Base: 222

• The vast majority of respondents [96%] had a BL3 postcode.

Q18 What is your age? This was only asked to those who had ticked ‘resident’ in Q16.

LL Q18 Base: 212

• Just over half [51%] of respondents were under 60. • The youngest respondent was 13 and the oldest 86.

Q19 Are you…? This was only asked to those who had ticked ‘resident’ in Q16.

Q19 Base: 229

• There were a higher percentage of female respondents compared to male [59% v 41%].

Q20 What is your ethnic origin? This was only asked to those who had ticked ‘resident’ in Q16.

LL Q20 base: 219

• The vast majority [96%] of respondents were ‘White British’. • 4% of respondents were ‘Other White’. • The only other ethnic group represented was ‘Asian / Asian British’, with one respondent

Q21 Are your day to day activities limited because of a health problem or disability which has lasted, or expected to last, at least 12 months? This was only asked to those who had ticked ‘resident’ in Q16.

LL Q21 base: 225

• The majority [78%] of respondents had no life-limiting health issues.

Q22 Do you look after, or give any help or support to family members, friends, neighbours or others because of either a long term physical or mental ill health / disability or problems due to old age? This was only asked to those who had ticked ‘resident’ in Q16

LL 22 base: 221

• Three quarters of respondents [75%] had no caring responsibilities, however 25% cared for someone for at least one hour a week.

Formal responses received during consultation

Youth Action Group proposal draft

Members of ALL have met recently and have begun to create a business plan for the Youth Action Group project

Members

Angela Bogle: Mytham Head teacher Jo Thwaites: local resident Lynn Cullen: Local resident Antony Connell: local resident and previous councillor Nazira Patel: Bolton At Home Sajida Kerbalee-Blackburn: Onward Rebecca Cremin: Great Places

What are we wanting to achieve?

Set up a Youth Action group for 9-13-year olds. There is no provision in Little Lever for the younger age group.

Currently the Play and Youth Service run two evenings for 13-18-year olds at the Little Lever centre. We have campaigned to change one of these nights to a younger group without success. This is because the two nights are funded by the Local authority for Youth provision and our intended audience (9-12) fits within ‘Play’ age range.

What would the Youth Action group entail?

This is not just a youth club for 9-13-year olds. This is a Youth group with a difference The group will be underpinned by citizenship ethos - based on giving a space to the youth of the community to get together, socialise and connect but underpinned by them ‘giving back’ to the community. Good for all 5 aspects of positive emotional health; Connect, learn something new, give to others, get active and be mindful.

We need capital investment to create a space fit for purpose for this endeavour It will have a real sense of community -of purpose and of giving back

We aim to ‘promote a cultural change in the attitudes of the Little Lever community towards being a member of their community’

The sustainability /long term aspect of this particular group is the succession planning. If we do a good job with these young people we hope that as they get older they will populate the older youth group which already runs. They could then become Peer mentors / volunteers at the younger group. We would expect that the values and ethos of the younger Youth Action group would – in time – also become the same for the older group.

Then as young adults- we have a group of people who have benefitted from being involved in this group and will then be more inclined to stay involved and continue to support Altogether Little Lever

What have we done so far?

Re-arranged groups so that the centre is available on Thursday evening and weekend Carried out a consultation with local residents Carried out a consultation with the 9-13-year age group

What do we need?

We are looking to fund the youth action group for a 3-year period. We feel that this is a feasible length of time to build the group and once sustainable we will apply for larger funding ‘pots’ from the Community Lottery fund

• Funding for ‘staffing’ of the Youth Action group – Local Housing groups may be able to assist partially with this • Funding for resourcing the activities – we intend to write funding bids • Building development – internal/ external including furniture, flooring, storage and fixed audio-visual/ sound. Why do we want a Youth Action Group?

We asked a range of groups/stakeholders why they felt a Youth Action Group would be a good idea?

Housing Associations: Bolton At Home/Onward / Great Places - If we invest in young people, we invest in the future - To reduce incidents of Anti-social behaviour in LL - To encourage a sense of pride and belonging to the community that young people live in - To feel that they are important / have worth. Young people in Little Lever – especially the Dove Bank estate- feel that they are’ looked down upon’, second class citizens, have a bad name - Tackles the impact of deprivation on low self-worth, apathy - To promote behavioural change Local Authority - Vision 2030 - Investing in the future of Little Lever with sustainable activity for youth that will have impact and longevity - Build respect within the community with intergenerational projects - Community togetherness Local Residents - Youth ASB causes anxiety for the vulnerable residents of Little Lever – particularly the elderly; addressing this would have a huge impact on their mental health and ability to socialise - Give the kids something to do and keep them off the streets - Young people showing an interest in their community will have the knock-on effect of encouraging them to look after it, e.g. protecting wildlife, litter picking projects, environmental projects - There are elements of drug using and Fly tipping in Little lever. - There needs to be a physical hub in Little lever where young kids can go and where they are kept busy...so they are not bored - We can’t go back to the past. It’s a nostalgic view but things have moved on. We needed to keep abreast of that and do something which the kids of today will engage with. It needs a new approach. Technology - IT/ Environmental Police - A proactive approach: Police would rather be attending and supporting a Youth group than having to deal with Anti-social behaviour

- Police resources are limited, and we don’t have enough presence. Anything that would help to give the youth a purpose would have a positive impact on reducing the crime statistics Primary Schools - Our young people are fantastic, and we feel that if the adults in society give them a ‘purpose’ and ‘direction’ out of school hours then they would rise to it - All our schools in Little lever are committed to developing the citizenship skills of young children. Each school’s curriculum has a Citizenship dimension and is underpinned by British Values, Respect, tolerance and Emotional health and wellbeing. - In school these children ARE good citizens. What happens to them in the community and as they get older?? Channelling their energies into worthwhile projects will not be difficult as they are willing, enthusiastic and full of energy. As long as the group is not ‘just’ a Youth club but has a Youth Action element, then it would be a fantastic additional dimension to the school curriculum in terms of citizenship - In addition, ‘capture’ this age group and you have a better chance of instilling respect and values than leaving it until they are 13 +. This should be seen as a wise investment in the citizens of tomorrow. - Give the children opportunities to take risks, be adventurous in a safe environment Secondary Schools

Little Lever Town Centre regeneration Planning

ALL is one of the partners involved with the regeneration of Little Lever project. There are very exciting plans afoot looking at several aspects of the life of the Little Lever community and where capital funding could be invested. One key area being looked at is provision for activity for all generations. ‘Youth’ was high on the list of priorities, as was the older generation. Interestingly this mirrors the research/ consultation that ALL has already done. The timing is perfect for pushing forward this project as we feel our proposal is one which will be widely supported when the regeneration plan goes to public consultation in Jan/ Feb 2020

What do we need to do?

- Set up a ‘Youth Champions’ panel of 4-6 young people from the 9-13 age range. This group will assist us with pitching it well to the youth of Little Lever - Get the Bolton ‘Youth Council’ involved to mentor our new panel - Get more commitment from ALL members in terms of taking on responsibility for actions. This project will need commitment - Ensure that ALL continues to be a stakeholder in the Town Centre Regeneration project - Secure three years funding initially for running costs. In time apply for larger bids and fundraise from within the group. Apply for a lottery bid of £10k. Secure funding from local housing agencies - Secure funding to address some minor needs with the building although the building is sound and ready to go - Recruit at least one member of staff. Ideally this would be someone local with a passion about the youth of the community. We could explore the ‘Peer Navigator’ roles that CVS promote or try to extend a current ‘Peer Navigators ‘ remit . - Look into ways of being able to recruit and pay for a member of staff i.e. – contractual elements- responsibility to ALL group etc. Support from CVS?

- Engage the services of CVS to help get volunteers for the Youth Action Group - Work with the current 13+ youth group to develop their activity and forge collaboration and strong links - Get local residents involved with the purpose of the group and their support behind fundraising for it, attending events etc - Strengthen the All Together Little Lever committee by having members from the Youth Action Group on it - Promote the Youth Action Group with primary schools and Y7/8 of secondary - Set a date for some Youth events to launch the group - Set a date for the start of the youth action group - Make links with the local environment, the canal, countryside - Link with other community groups and voluntary groups - Engage artists - Set up a trustee board for the Youth Action group. Explore the need to be a constituted group and have a bank account