Appendix 1B Leamington Spa Creative Quarter: Report of public consultation – Report to executive 6 th March 2019 Leamington Spa Creative Quarter Report of public consultation Please also see separate document (appendix 1a to the 6 th March 2019 Executive report) which contains a summary of the overall consultation responses. Table 1 All responses to public consultation received by email Table 2 WDC response to all public consultation comments received by email Table 3 Responses to question 8: Please describe your concerns Table 4 Responses to question 9: Are there any opportunities in the Creative Quarter that we have missed? Table 5 Responses to question 10b: Is there anything else you would like to see in the Creative Quarter? Table 6 Responses to question 11: Is there anything else you would like to say? Item 7 / Appendix 1B / Page 1 Appendix 1B Leamington Spa Creative Quarter: Report of public consultation – Report to executive 6 th March 2019 Table 1: All responses to public consultation received by email Ref Name Response 1. SPARKS-SLC Hi Joanne Thanks for the link which I have had a quick look at. There appears to be a discrepancy between the overall site map and the detailed plans. I will write with further details. The Bath Place details wrongly suggest that the viaduct arches are unoccupied. In fact they are fully occupied. I am pleased to note the adoption of the SPARKS-SLC concept of a hi-line project on the top of the unused viaducts. I am pleased that this concept is already progressing and Network Rail have provided a clarification on the legal status of the structures and the rights to the airspace. Kind regards SPARKS-SLC 2. Association of I would like to put to you some observations regarding the planned development of the south of Leamington. I am a Midland Artists member of the Association of Midland Artists and write from the viewpoint of a member of this organisation. The AMA has (AMA) some difficulty in finding suitable outlets in which to exhibit work in the town. Until recently we made use of the small lodge at the entrance to Jephson gardens where the ''footfall'' was good but the space barely adequate. The Rugby Art Gallery is a fine amenity for that town and in addition to a large general exhibition area it provides a separate gallery for hire to local artists/crafts people. the Leamington museum/gallery does not really match this scope and I believe that Leamington could and should do more when one considers the number of people and the amount of creative activity that takes place in the area. To this end I think that the provision of a site within the area of development for the exhibition/display of various aspects of visual art would have a beneficial effect within the proposal. When the 150 Gallery and the Arts Trail Studios were located in Livery Street a few years back they were a focal point of genuine public interest in an area that is now a collection of somewhat bland eating houses and the success of the Open Studios and the''Art in the Park'' festival also indicate the level of public interest that exists in the town. The Althorpe Studios project on the Althorpe estate was until quite recently successfully providing work and exhibition spaces despite being in a area that was quite difficult to access during working hours. The recently opened Temperance Bar in Bath Street is at present making use of its limited spaces to exhibit work and is making a positive contribution to that part of Leamington.. I would like to think that the suggestions that I have made if implemented in some form, would help to generate a diversity of interest that could make this part of the town a success. Item 7 / Appendix 1B / Page 2 Appendix 1B Leamington Spa Creative Quarter: Report of public consultation – Report to executive 6 th March 2019 Ref Name Response 3. Action 21 At an Action 21 Board meeting, last night, we discussed the Leamington Creative Quarter proposals, and I am happy to confirm that we wish to be involved and participate in the Stakeholder Group. In response to the draft ‘Masterplan’, we would make the following points: - We welcome any scheme that will rejuvenate and revive the south of the town - We think it is important that charity organisations are not penalised by this scheme, and wherever possible are helped. - Action 21’s activities should be recognised as ‘creative’. - This ‘Masterplan’ covers only the use of buildings. We believe these terms of reference are too narrow, and should be extended to cover broader issues of the area, such as air quality, transport infrastructure, etc. I hope this helps 4. Findmeagift.com I think your plans are wonderful. I’ve lived and worked in the area for over 20 years and have been running an ecommerce business called findmeagift.co.uk for 18years, with offices and warehouse in Southam. We employ 60 people which goes up to 200 in nov and dec. We find it impossible to employ people with the relevant experience in web development/programming, digital marketing and ecommerce. We are considered opening an office in Birmingham to help us fill the skills gap. However, if these plans are confirmed and we could attract the right talent to leamington we would definitely change our plans and set up offices in this area of leamington. Is there any opportunity for me to get involved as a advisor or in any way to help shape this exciting future for Leamington and ensure we attract the right skills to the area to make the area not just about gaming but everything to do with digital commerce. 5. Member of the 1. Thank you for your response, Joanne. public. I think the main drift of my concern was that there seemed to be no objective which supported existing green issues, nor sought to improve them. I wondered if formal consideration could be given to the natural environment and its enhancement in the plan. 2. On first rapid read-through of the plan, I am surprised and a little dismayed to see little reference to preservation or provision of habitat for wild life within the scheme. Item 7 / Appendix 1B / Page 3 Appendix 1B Leamington Spa Creative Quarter: Report of public consultation – Report to executive 6 th March 2019 Ref Name Response While it seems that the general environment will be improved, there is little thought given to this aspect of the plan, nor it's influence on the existing habitat. Can you enlighten me, if I've missed references, or assure me that this will be examined and provision made? I find that a green environment helps and supports a creative outlook. 6. The Leamington The Leamington Society welcomes, and in general positively supports, the Leamington Spa Creative Quarter Master Plan Society currently out for consultation. We welcome the acknowledgement of the contribution creative industries make to the local economy and the aim to identify, and meet, the development needs of that sector. In particular, we welcome the proposals for Court Street Car Park and for Spencer’s Yard and the old Post Office, though wonder if the latter might be more appropriately used as office space rather than as hotel. We are surprised, however, that there is no mention of All Saints Church, The Temperance Café, or The Assembly in the Master Plan as these all contribute to the arts scene in the area, and we would expect the plan to build on existing success. With regard to the Pump Room complex we welcome the move to expand the café area into the colonnade and in particular the extension of the boardwalk along the riverside to provide a new seating area. We are concerned about the potential loss of what is described as the function space as this is currently used as a good concert room, providing as it does the only medium sized concert room in the town. We are even more concerned about the proposal to move the library from its present space which we feel works well with the adjacent Art Gallery, TIC and café. Our view is that the current entrance to the complex is of good design and works well. We appreciate the desire to maintain public access to the Town Hall, though the current Master Plan does not appear to recognise the continued existence of the Town Council there for some time to come. Finally, we recognise the importance of the Adelaide road clubland area to the whole project, but there are no detailed plans for this area, as yet, for us to consider. We consider it vital that the interests of the community groups currently Item 7 / Appendix 1B / Page 4 Appendix 1B Leamington Spa Creative Quarter: Report of public consultation – Report to executive 6 th March 2019 Ref Name Response based there are protected, and that they are fully consulted at all stages of any plan produced. Despite our concerns, we welcome these positive attempts to improve areas of the town which deserve more attention and to identify the key development needs of the creative sector. 7 Stratford District Council Page 3: Reference is made to a report by NESTA and Creative England in 2016 which identified the “town as the only creative cluster in the West Midlands”. Whilst the report does highlight that there is a hotspot of creative industries in Leamington Spa within the parameters of the study it does not go so far to say that Leamington Spa town as the only creative cluster in the West Midlands.