Which way for Sandwich?
Consultation Report
Which way for Sandwich?
Consultation Report
Public Consultation
2 – 31 July 2016
Alternative Formats
This document can be made available in other formats or languages, please email or telephone 03000 421553 (text relay service 18001 03000 421553). This number goes to an answer machine, which is monitored during office hours.
Kent County Council 7
Which way for Sandwich?
Consultation Report
- Contents
1. Introduction 4
1.1. Background 4
1.2. Purpose of the Consultation 5
1.3. Purpose of this Report 5
2. Consultation Process 6
2.1. Promoting the Project and Consultation 7
Promoting the project 7
Promoting the consultation 8
2.2. Pre-consultation Engagement Activities 9
2.3. During Consultation Activities 11
Consultation Events 11
3. Equality and Accessibility 13
3.1. Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA) 13
4. Response Profile 14
4.1. Respondent Demographics 14
4.1.1. Age 14
4.1.2. Gender 15
4.1.3. Disability 15
4.2. Respondent Groups 16
4.3. Respondent locations 17
5. Consultation Results: 18
5.1. Q3.To what extent do you agree or disagree with the initial proposals for the Guildhall and No Name Street? 18
5.2. Q4. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the initial proposals for Market Street? 19
5.3. Q5. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the initial proposals forDelf Street? 20
5.4. Q6. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the initial proposals forBreezy Corner? 21
5.5. Q7. To what extent do you agree or disagree with the initial proposals forBarbican Junction? 22
5.6. Q8. Would you support an Equal Priority Area pilot scheme in Sandwich? 23
5.7. Q9. Should a new long stay car park be built north of the river to cater for cars and coaches? 24
5.8. Q10. The introduction of an Equal Priority Area pilot scheme, or parking north of the river, could create an opportunity to use the Quay differently. Which of the following measures, if any, would you support? 25
5.9. Q11. To what extent do you agree or disagree that the river and surrounding areas could be better utilised, including Stonar Lake and nearby nature reserves? 26
5.10. Q12. Do you feel that the neighbourhoods south of the train line are well connected to the historic core? 27
5.11. Q13. How could the Guildhall and surrounding area be better used? 28
5.12. Q14. With redesign there is an opportunity to encourage cycling in Sandwich. Which of the following measures, if any, would you support? 29
5.13. Q15. Anything else? Please add any further comments in the box below. 30
5.14 Equality and diversity feedback 31
6. Next Steps 32
Kent County Council 7
Which way for Sandwich?
Consultation Report
1. Introduction
1.1. Background
A couple of years ago a group of volunteers formed the ‘Town Team’ to try and tackle some issues they perceived around the town; such as oversized lorries causing damage to properties and becoming stuck. With the support of the local MP, who organised a series of traffic stakeholder summits throughout 2015, together with backing from Sandwich Town Council (STC) and Dover District Council (DDC), the Town Team produced a Green Paper proposing a traffic strategy for the town, setting out proposals aimed at resolving Sandwich’s traffic problems to improve the life and prosperity of residents and business owners.
On the 8th October 2015 the Town Team held an open day for the residents to come and give their feedback. Overwhelmingly those who attended felt that something had to be done to reduce the impact of traffic and to encourage people friendly places. With further support from the local MP the Town Team contacted Kent County Council (KCC) and a Sandwich Traffic Working Group was formed including KCC, DDC, STC, Stagecoach bus company and Historic England.
The Green Paper’s proposals were explored, rewritten as a White Paper by the Town Team, and presented to the Town Council on the 30th November 2015. STC endorsed the White paper, and voted to allocate their Section106 funds to complete a number of immediate improvements including Village Gateways, a 7.5 Tonne Weight Restriction, and to employ an external consultant to carry out wider strategic work. On 12 December the KCC/DDC Joint Transport Board (JTB) further endorsed the White Paper.
Rummey Design, a landscape architect practice based in Sevenoaks, were employed to undertake a review of Sandwich and put forward a series of proposals that have been put out for a public consultation – for which this report is written. The purpose of the brief to Rummey Design was to focus on traffic movement, pedestrian experience, increasing economic opportunity, improving parking capacity and enhancing the unique historic environment.
There is no specific funding allocated to carry out any changes to the highways or structures in Sandwich but the review and proposals are intended to be used as a basis for which to apply to external funders. In the first instance this will include Heritage Lottery Funding (HLF) but may include other funders in the future.
A final report will be written by Rummey Design and submitted to STC on the 15th August 2016. In this report Rummey Design will have used the consultation feedback to revise their proposals and STC will determine whether to support all, some or none of the final proposals. Going forward KCC will be involved with any aspects that affect the highway and other partners involved as required.
1.2. Purpose of the Consultation
The purpose of the public consultation was to inform the public and stakeholder organisations (including landowners) about the work being carried out by Rummey Design and the partners in Sandwich and to provide them with the opportunity to ‘Have their say’. The consultation gave them the opportunity to:
· Understand why changes are being proposed to Sandwich
· Understand the strategy proposed for Sandwich which will tie together many different funding bids in the future
· Consider the conceptual design changes proposed in each location in Sandwich Town
· Consider the possible impacts and benefits of the proposed proposals and
· Ask us questions and provide their views on the proposals.
This public consultation offered the opportunity to open a dialogue with stakeholder organisations and the public so their comments and concerns could be incorporated into the final report to be submitted by Rummey Design to STC.
1.3. Purpose of this Report
This report presents the analysis and findings of the responses to the public consultation on the ‘Which way for Sandwich?’ proposals. In addition the report summarises the consultation process and the engagement and promotional activities that took place. The report also states how the feedback will be used to progress the proposal and identifies the next steps in the project development process.
Kent County Council 7
Which way for Sandwich?
Consultation Report
2. Consultation Process
This chapter outlines the process followed to deliver the consultation and details the activities and documentation developed to support the delivery of the consultation. The consultation was divided into the five stages shown in Figure 2.1. Detailed information on each section is given below.
Figure 2.1: The consultation process
Kent County Council 7
Which way for Sandwich?
Consultation Report
2.1. Promoting the Project and Consultation
The consultation process was developed by Rummey Design with support from KCC with the aim of involving residents, community groups and interested parties throughout the project to help develop the proposals, drawing on local knowledge and expertise.
Throughout the project there were promotional activities to inform the public of progress and to invite them to participate in the each stage of activity.
Promoting the project
The following activities were undertaken to support the delivery of the project:
· Leaflet created by Rummey Design delivered to 5,000 properties to inform residents about the project and provide details of how they could get involved through an online forum ‘Sticky World’ (hard copies were available on request) and notice of when the formal consultation would take place including the public exhibition times, dates and venues
· Phone calls and emails to a list of key stakeholder groups to invite them to participate in a walkabout sessions (refer to section 2.2) and workshops
· Community liaison officer promoted the project to their network
· Outlined the project during the Neighbourhood Forum meeting
· Page on KCC’s Consultation Directory on Kent.gov.uk and information on STC’s homepage
· Press release/articles sent to East Kent Mercury 17/5/16
Promoting the consultation
The following additional activities were undertaken to support the delivery of the public consultation:
· Consultation poster displayed in local shops, business and public places
· Email notification to all Stickyworld participants advertising the consultation period
· Followed up communication with walkabout and workshop participants advertising the consultation period
· Press release/articles sent to East Kent Mercury 8/7/16 & 15/7/16
· Leaflet created by KCC delivered to 3,500 properties to remind the public about the consultation and provide details of how they could get involved and have their say (delivered week starting 18th July)
· Page on KCC’s Consultation Directory on Kent.gov.uk updated as consultation and project progressed and link from STC website.
Please note: materials are available for reference at www.kent.gov.uk/sandwichtownreview.
2.2. Pre-consultation Engagement Activities
A number of engagement activities were undertaken during the pre-consultation period. Engagement at this stage was designed to gain initial ideas and opinions from key stakeholder groups. The information gathered would then be used to prepare outline proposals to take through to formal consultation.
Walkabout sessions
Many of the key groups in Sandwich were invited to attend a walkabout sessions where they could walk and talk with Rummey and discuss key issues and opportunities in Sandwich. Although many more were invited, the following groups were able to participate in the walkabout sessions:
Quay Spokesman / The Sandwich SocietySandwich Local History Society / Deal and Sandwich Coastal Community Team, DDC
County Member / Museums and Tourism, DDC
Heritage Officer, DDC / Sandwich Sport and Leisure
Quay Spokesman / Sandwich Parks, Dover DC
Discovery Park / Director of Environment and Corporate Assets, DDC
Stagecoach / Chairman, DDC
Sandwich Chamber of Commerce / Infrastructure and delivery, DDC
Town Team / PCSO Sandwich
Youth Centre / Neighbourhood Watch
Workshop Sessions
Following on from the walkabouts sessions Rummey design wanted to gain first hand feedback on their initial ideas for Sandwich. Therefore the attendees for the Walkabout sessions were invited back to view the emerging ideas. Two workshop sessions were held whereby productive discussions took place and feedback was used the refine the proposals for the public consultation. Additionally, the children at Sandwich Infant School were invited to produce a series of maps and drawings to share what they liked and disliked about the town.
Stickyworld Online Forum
To gain comments at an early stage from many more people in Sandwich, KCC hosted an online forum via Stickyworld. This was a virtual version of the walkabout sessions that had taken place, where the public could comment on specific areas around the town. The information gained was invaluable to Rummey design. The forum enabled a debate and moved the ideas forward.
In total Stickyworld gained:
1,060 views 58 participants (excluding those who didn't register with the site) 475 comments
2.3. During Consultation Activities
A number of activities were undertaken during the consultation period.
Consultation Events
Two exhibition days were held. The first, Saturday 2 July, was aimed at commuters and those in work. The second, on Thursday 14 July, tied in with Market day in Sandwich. The purpose of the events was to provide attendees with a forum to discuss the proposal with Rummey design and KCC officers, and ask any questions.
The events were held from 10am – 2pm at the Guildhall, Sandwich.
Consultation questionnaires and a proposals book were delivered to Age UK to encourage responses from those who may be less able to access the material online.
At the time of the second exhibition there was a Facebook page created and articles in the local press stating that the plan was to close the Toll Bridge completely. This gave slightly incorrect information as closing the Toll Bridge completely was one option among many. However, the activity promoted the consultation and increased engagement with the exhibition and questionnaire.
Consultation exhibition boards
The consultation exhibition boards provided information on the:
· brief provided to Rummey design,
· engagement activities undertaken in the development of the proposals and a summary of the key findings,
· overarching strategy and the proposals for different parts of the town,
· next steps, and
· how people could provide their feedback
The boards were available to view and download from the consultation webpage www.kent.gov.uk/sandwichtownreview and were on display in the Guildhall foyer throughout the consultation period. They were also available in hard copy on request.
The exhibition boards were accompanied by a Frequently Asked Questions document, which was updated after each exhibition event.
Feedback mechanism
People were asked to provide feedback via a consultation questionnaire, which was available online and in a paper version. The paper version was available at the exhibition events, from the Guildhall and on request via telephone or email.
3. Equality and Accessibility
3.1. Equality Impact Assessment (EqIA)
The Equality Impact Assessment provides a process to help us to understand how the proposals may affect people based on their protected characteristics (age, disability, gender, gender identity, race, religion / belief or none, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership and carer’s responsibilities).
An EqIA was completed prior to commencement of the consultation and was available as one of the consultation documents during the consultation. The EqIA was used to shape the consultation process.