Sustainable Communities

Town and Village Centre Improvement

"Helping to bring co-ordinated environmental improvements to town and village centres"

The project aims to try and improve the appearance of the streetscape and adjacent public open spaces as a means of helping maintain the attractiveness of town and village centres for shopping and social activities.

Organisation: Leicestershire County Council

Completion Date: 31/03/2006

Location

Towns and rural centres across Leicestershire (excluding Leicester City)

Project Description

With increasing competition from larger retail locations, shops in town and village centres are facing more competition. The appearance of these areas can influence the level of usage and, thus, their economic performance. A co-ordinated, partnership-based approach to environmental improvements is one route to maintaining the vitality of these locations. Tony Lockley, Team Leader Environmental Action, Leicestershire County Council

Background
Leicestershire County Council has, for some years, worked with a range of partners to facilitate environmental improvements in town and village centres.

In each location the range of partners varies, but they usually include the parish/town council, district council officers/members, local shop keepers and the highway authority. In some locations village appraisal/village plan groups may also be involved as may civic societies.

Sometimes the idea for a scheme is borne locally, whilst in other instances it can spring from opportunities linked to a highway improvement scheme or a new shopping or residential development.

Scheme details
Although some schemes can be developed quite quickly from the initial idea, many are phased over a two- to five-year period. Phasing over such a time scale is often necessary for reasons of funding availability, public consultation, avoidance of other works (e.g. you don't want to lay new paving if the drain underneath it is about to be renewed,)etc.

Location
The size and location of schemes can vary considerably. For example, the recently completed Rothley Cross scheme focussed on the area immediately adjacent to the village centre war memorial - which also happened to be within the main shopping area. By contrast, the work which is being undertaken in Shepshed and Lutterworth looks not only at centrally-located sites but also ones which act as entry points to their respective village and town centres.

Types of work
Equally varied is the type of work undertaken. In some instances (e.g. Shepshed) it can be a comprehensive refurbishment, involving new paving, planting, seats, litter-bins, public art, etc. and in others it can be much simpler, focussing on just one or two elements - like some new shrub planters or seats. What does matter, be it linked to a large or small scheme, is that it is what the local community wants, that it looks right and that it is done to a high standard.

Proposing an idea
Although coming up with an idea for a scheme can seem a bit daunting, you shouldn't worry, because professional advice can be given by county officers. They will happily give initial guidance and then, if the scheme has potential, can help guide its development. For more details please contact the project managers listed below under Project Contacts.

Outcomes

Two-year plan:
Over next two years the project aims to have at least six schemes completed and at least another three developed to some degree and held in reserve pending the availability of funding.

The success of any of these schemes can only really be judged when they are on the ground. During 2004/05 the aim is to be implementing work on at least three schemes and undertkaing development work on another three.

Types of work:
It is hoped that the on-the-ground work will include the following:

1. Improvement to pedestrian areas including better-quality surfacing, new fencing, new seats and litter bins, improved signage, shrub planters, hanging baskets, etc. as part of a comprehensive design.

2. Improvements to public car parks, which adjoin village/town centres - again as part of comprehensive design. Works here could once again include new paving, signage and new planting.

3. Improvements to parks or other public open spaces, which adjoin village/town centres or act as entry point to them. Works in these areas would again include new planting, fencing, signage, seat/litter bins, etc.

4. The provision of public art. Public art could be included in any of the previous three work areas or considered in its own right. Typical examples could be sculpture, pictorial banners, mosaics - anything which adds colour and interest!

Project Contacts

Project manager:
Tony Lockley
Tel: 0116 265 7057
E-mail: tlockley@leics.gov.uk
Website: TBA

Or contact:
Lesley Eddleston
Tel: 0116 265 7067
E-mail: leddleston@leics.gov.uk

LSEP contact:
Gill Smitherman
Tel: 0116 257 5676
Email: gills@lsep.co.uk
Website: www.lsep.co.uk