News Redevelopment street plans finally released
A brief for the redevelopment of Richard Cooper Street and Phoenix Street in Goole has been released this week with plans to provide public space, play provision and affordable housing.
The development brief, produced by East Riding in conjunction with English Partnerships, the Government's national regeneration agency, sets out how the 1.4-hectare site will look once the two terraced streets and the adjoining area of land off Hook Road are demolished.
East Riding Council has stated that extensive consultation with the local community has enabled it to set out its vision for the site, which is to create 'a place in keeping with and connecting to its surroundings; favouring people over cars; providing public green space; and delivering security through its design'.
The site is being offered to prospective developers on a freehold basis as part of a two-stage competitive process. The closing date for initial expressions of interest is October 29.
The brief indicates that the successful developer will be required to provide public open space and play provision, and that 40 per cent of the housing created should be affordable. All the homes will be built to level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, a much higher environmental standard than the minimum required by current building legislation.
As a result of the feedback received from local people as part of the consultation process, the brief highlights the need for affordable, modern, two- and three-bedroom homes; supported accommodation for the elderly; and a combination of different housing types to ensure that the area caters for a broad cross-section of the local community. It also stresses the importance of maintaining the privacy of homes along Hook Road and Marshfield Road, as well as access to properties along Argyle Street and Marshfield Road.
TRADITIONAL DESIGN
Prospective developers are urged to ensure that any proposed development is in keeping with its surroundings, and uses brick, slate and traditional design. It is suggested that feature buildings are incorporated to provide visual interest to the skyline, although the majority of buildings should be of the same or similar height to the surrounding properties. Public and private open space, and communal green spaces are seen as key to the overall design scheme.
It was also pointed out that care should be taken to enable pedestrians and cyclists to feel safe and comfortable. Developers could do this by including 'HomeZones', which, as set out by the Department for Transport (DfT), are areas with demarcated car parking spaces that also provide a safe, paved environment overlooked by houses where children can play.
COMPULSORY PURCHASE
The council and its partners already own the former warehouse site and more than 90 per cent of the terraced homes on the two streets, although a small number of properties are still in the ownership of private landlords. The council has stated that it is keen to buy the remaining properties to allow the redevelopment scheme to progress as quickly as possible and will use compulsory purchase orders if they feel it necessary. The successful developer will be required to submit a planning application for the approved scheme, and to present and promote this through any compulsory purchase order process.
The redevelopment of the area is being carried out as part of Advance Goole, a project that aims to improve the lives of people living in the town by providing them with quality housing and tackling issues that concern them most. Phoenix Street and Richard Cooper Street were earmarked for redevelopment because a number of properties were already empty or boarded up, and the area had become a hotspot for crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour.
FEEDBACK FROM COMMUNITY
Sally Burns, head of housing and public protection for the council, said: "The development brief for the site sets out the high standards that we expect potential developers to meet when they submit their proposals. As well as reflecting current planning and housing guidance, the brief also takes on board the feedback that we have received from members of the local community, including former residents of the two streets who have since moved on to better housing elsewhere.
"It is important to us that the redevelopment of the site meets the needs of local people so that it becomes a desirable place to live and an area that the people of Goole can be proud of."
Karamjit Kaila, the project manager for English Partnerships, said: "We are really pleased to work with our partners to give the residents of Goole some of the most sustainable homes in Yorkshire, which will be built in a style in keeping with the local community.
"We have built HomeZones elsewhere in Yorkshire and they have proved a great success in enhancing the local community for all residents."
Published on 21st August 2008 in News.
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