Cabinet also authorised the implementation of a local lettings policy in the area. This will now be explored by the project team to maximise opportunities for local people to access new affordable housing options that become available through the regeneration. Aside from the local lettings policy, the framework itself sets out a number of other early initiatives that the project team will now progress given focus is now upon implementation. For example, producing a cultural strategy and an affordable workspace strategy and undertaking community co-design for the open and public spaces. A number of these initiatives are already under way such as the production of a business retention and relocation strategy and the River Frome restoration project.
The full Cabinet report and associated papers, which includes the final framework, can be found within item 14 of the cabinet meeting agenda.
The Frome Gateway Regeneration Framework was presented to Cabinet following the formal consultation which demonstrated substantial and broad support for almost all key elements within the framework. The full consultation report can be read here, however a brief summary is set out below:
- 39.41% of survey responses in agreement and 39.74% in strong agreement with the vision
The objectives all received over 36.54% of responses in agreement and 40.06% in strong agreement - 44.30% of responses in agreement and 21.48% in strong agreement with the spatial concept
- The key approaches and main ambitions of all four character areas each received over 45.48% of responses in agreement and over 22.48% in strong agreement
- The approaches to employment all received over 35.44% of responses in agreement and over 32.07% in strong agreement
- All but one of the housing approaches received over 32.16% of responses in agreement and over 45.20% in strong agreement
- Approaches to community and culture all received over 34.28% of responses in agreement and over 48.60% in strong agreement
- Approaches to pedestrian, cycle and vehicle routes all receiving over 28.57% of responses in agreement and 41.55% in strong agreement
- All four approaches to height and massing received each over 25.81% of responses in agreement and over 27.17% in strong agreement
- 44.20% of responses are in agreement and 37.32% in strong agreement with the approach to active frontage and streets
- Over 29.15% of responses to green and blue infrastructure approaches are in agreement and over 51.11% in strong agreement
- 37.78 % of responses in agreement and 32.96% in strong agreement with green space 'big move' concept
- Approaches to sustainability and climate change each received over 29.63% of responses in agreement and 52.22% in strong agreement
- The approach to flood risk received 82.42% of responses agreeing or strongly agreeing
- Approach to health and wellbeing received over 25.00% of responses in agreement and over 30.88% in strong agreement
Aspects of the framework that were supported to a lesser degree are:
- Provide up to 500 student bed spaces as part of the overall mix, mainly in the south of the site (in addition to the 1,000 new homes)
- Potentially allow buildings that are significantly taller (than the most commonly occurring height of existing buildings) at the north and southern gateways to the site and Newfoundland Way crossing
- Potentially allow buildings of amplified height (modestly higher than the most commonly occurring height of existing buildings) overlooking the Riverside Park and in the centre of the site
- Avoid new hot food takeaways
A number of amendments were made to the framework following analysis of the data collected during the consultation. The main changes were:
- Amendments to the Industrial Quarter to reduce its size but deliver industrial space exclusively, including intensified industrial workspace
- Ensuring strategic travel routes are better represented
- Creation of a new 'Physical Accessibility' page
- Creation of a new 'Flood Risk Management' page
- Amendments to affordable housing delivery
There were a number of other changes resulting from the consultation findings, all of which are set out in the Consultation Response Report.
We sincerely thank everyone who participated in the formal consultation which delivered important insights that proved extremely valuable when finalising the regeneration framework. We're excited to be turning our attention to implementation and delivery and look forward to continued engagement as we seek to realise the objectives and public benefits of the regeneration of Frome Gateway.