Thornton Neighbourhood Plan Forum event, 3 November - Minutes
Attendance
Jean
Jean
Stuart Spandler
Keith
Sharon Darley
K Griffiths, Hull City Council
Apologies
June Chearman
Maureen Bundy
Jane Cleaver
Pat Noble
Mark Hodson
Peter McGurn
Alyssah Watkins
Grant Cairns
SD set out the purpose of the meeting to agree the Neighbourhood Plan Options document before consultation with the wider community occurs. Agenda previously circulated. SD commented she had received one comment on the document to date.
KG outlined workshop event and 2 sessions to give the Forum a basis for determining change in the area (guide to workshop attached). Purpose was to obtain feedback from the Forum members prior to document being widely circulated and it being submitted to the City Council for comments, as required by the regulations.
Turn out of the Forum was limited but it was suggested this was down to dark nights and clash with other events. There was a short discussion on whether to hold future Winter meetings during the afternoon. Workshop was progressed with feedback detailed below, but further request for comments was sought via email on 5 November.
Feedback from Session A
Responses focussed around making Thornton a better place through addressing:
Top priority was The Parade – better shops including green grocer and hair dresser with possibility of improving the local environment through planters and seating, plus removing the street bollards to forecourts. Part pedestrianising Walker Street fronting the shops was also suggested to help improve pedestrian access. Group members thought the complete re-development of the site was an option but this would not be without its challenges including re-housing the tenants and seeking new retail occupier. It was pointed out that a green grocers occupied one of the units funded by Goodwin, but this folded as there was limited custom.
Great Thornton Street Park was second priority - suggested more play equipment and muga could be improved as this was not in great condition and was not being used. The muga at the rear of The Octagon was being used more.
Third priority was improving street lighting – this was considered important during Winter months and to ensure safety of residents. Poor lighting was thought to be a deterrent for people in moving about the area, although there was also a question mark over planting and that this provides hiding places for attackers. Others suggested this was a mis-conception and that the area was safe in general.
Fourth priority was about boundary treatment – there were too many different fence types that did nothing to raise quality of the environment. There was a comment about the wall on Anlaby Road, some saying this was needed to protect people from outside the area, to this creating a’closed in’ feeling. There seemed general agreement after discussion that removing the wall would improve matters in opening up the area and making it a more welcoming place.
Landscaping was a further issue raised as priority No.5 – there was a concern there was too many trees that limited light and caused a maintenance problem. Given the limited funding to maintain certain trees were getting too big for their location.
Session 2 considered the vision statement. There was general support for the more specific vision although the reference to ‘our urban village’ needed adding, to help provide a sense of where the Board and the community were going. There needed to be a move away from calling Thornton an ‘estate’.
KG undertook to meet with any person who wanted to make detailed comments on the Options Report. SS requested a meeting to go through his comments on the document.
Meeting closed at this point and SD thanked everyone for attending. Next meeting was likely to be in the New Year.
Workshop outline
SESSION A – (in groups of 3 or 4 people) respond on flip charts provided (40 minutes)
- In land use terms, what will make Thornton a better place? - 10 mins
- Rank them in priority order with 1 being top priority and 10 least important to you as a group – 10 mins
- Explain how to achieve the top 5 priorities? – 10 mins
- Feedback your group highlights to everyone else – 10 mins
Tips
Think land or building use (so not community policing!)
Think about shopping or community facilities – where and what could be better?
Think about routes and getting about on foot
Think about new housing and where this could occur or for whom?
Think about greenspaces you want to protect and why?
Think about Thornton Park and priorities for this?
Think about general environmental conditions in your street
SESSION B (in the same groups as with Session A) (20 minutes)
- Based on what you have said from the above session, which ‘vision’ do you prefer, and why or variation of one? – 10 mins (see below)
VISION 1
‘By 2030, Thornton should be a place of choice to live, have a quality environment for local people to enjoy and feel safe, park and play area the envy of others, and in changing perceptions for the better.’
VISION 2
‘By 2030 Thornton will become apleasant place to live including for families. Residents will feel safer and secure. Local shopping and community facilities at Goodwin Parade Local Centre will be more vibrant and buoyant. High quality facilities for children and youth play will be provided at Thornton Park. The environment around the tower blocks will be improved especially by opening up this part of the estate along Anlaby Road. General perceptions about the area will be changed for the better.’
Feedback – 10 minutes for groups to feedback to everyone else
Tips
Think land use only
Think about our previous discussions
Think about site/buildings that are available for development or that could be protected from development or improved in some way, but in what way
Do you want a general vision or something more specific?
Think long term – more like 10/15 years ahead
Think radically but be realistic
KG minutes prepared 8/11/16