Changing Churchfields

Update December 2011

MADE — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 14:29:57 +0000

Churchfields is an area for regeneration close to Kidderminster town centre. MADE worked with Wyre Forest District Council to develop a draft masterplan for the area. This has bow been adopted as a Supplementary Planning Document.

For the latest information about development in the Churchfields area, please contact the planning department, Wyre Forest District Council on 01562 732928 or email planning.policy@wyreforestdc.gov.uk

February Consultation Event: Your Response

Lorna Parsons — Tue, 22 Mar 2011 10:46:02 +0000

Suggested road layout

The consultation event last month was very well attended with 104 people over the two days, and we have been encouraged by the level of response from local people wanting to make themselves heard and help make Churchfields a unique and desirable area.

The key points raised at the event were as follows:

• The traffic and road system dominated most people’s views with strong feelings about gridlocked traffic and access into the area. The proposed one-way system and improvements to surrounding roads was well received.
• Several residents raised concerns about the condition of the buildings at Horsefair/Blackwell Street and wondered whether the council could commit to renovating the area
• There were lots of concerns about a proposed Asda supermarket for the area. Some residents said they would move out of the area if it went ahead. Many felt it would lead to even more traffic congestion. There were strong feelings that Kidderminster shouldn’t become a ‘supermarket town’.
• The suggested crescent-shaped layout of the residential development area was well received with residents stressing the importance of the connections to the town and beyond.
• The Marina was also well received but raised concerns about tourism-related traffic and that the proposed changes to the road system needs to respond to this.

We would like to thank everyone who contributed to the consultation event and are continuing to develop the proposals with all the key points in mind. If you have anything further to add, please leave us a comment over on the Have Your Say page

Consultation Event – 18th/19th February

Lorna Parsons — Wed, 16 Feb 2011 14:06:22 +0000

WE NEED (ed) YOU! – thank you all for coming along this weekend.

A big thank you to all the local people who came along and visited us at the Salvation Army centre this weekend. We had 35 visitors on Friday and 70 come in on Saturday.

We heard lots of good comments, criticisms and advice, which we will be sorting through and putting up on this website when we have processed it. Once again we are really impressed with the level of passion and commitment to seeing improvements to the area.

Your views on the traffic problems around Horsefair were brilliant. Obviously, all that time spent thinking through the problems with the traffic, whilst sat in traffic, has paid off! Seriously, we received some really good advice.

Watch this space for updates and please comment over on the Have Your Say page.

A Few Questions

Lorna Parsons — Tue, 21 Dec 2010 11:51:54 +0000

I recently found a list of questions on a website dedicated to walking tours. It focusses on architecture, public space, neighbourhoods and urban design.

Lots of these questions could be applied to the Churchfields project so in order to keep the conversation going, I’ve picked my favourites – take a look and if you feel like answering these in response to how you feel about Kidderminster, leave your comments below.

What are some important meeting spaces in your neighbourhood?

What spaces are you most proud of in your neighbourhood?

What are some important green-spaces?

What are some interesting short-cuts you take?

Is it easy or possible to walk, bike, use transit or drive a car?

Where do you feel most comfortable?

How do the buildings ‘interact’ with pedestrians at the street level?

Are there spaces you would like to see change?

Is there an important question or issue that people should talk about?

Latest News: Blackwell Street Pop-Up Shop Update

MADE — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 18:23:46 +0000

I have always considered public consultation to be a challenging task. It is often hard to facilitate a platform for many voices to be heard in town halls and meeting rooms. However, following the opening up of a pop-up shop on Blackwell Street, I am now a strong believer that public consultation can work well when it is rethought in a more creative way. What better place to ask what people want for the future of their area than right on the street where that change will take place?

The two days residence at the shop brought in a huge footfall of people; local residents as well as people from further away, local shopkeepers and councillors. There were some concerns that were raised which were perhaps more expected – for example, the many problems relating to the ring road in Kidderminster – yet their were some nuanced issues that were expressed which I don’t believe would have been heard through a more conventional consultation methodology.

For this blog post, however, I want to discuss the experience of everyday life in the area. More specifically, I want to consider where there is potential for change which can be enjoyed in the short term as well as into the long term. Whilst much regeneration in Churchfields will have a natural focus over the longer term, there is potential to enjoy positive effects of regeneration now.

Whether you consider Horsefair as a gateway into the town or as a community of its own, for many people this is their first impression of Kidderminster. Improving the legibility of the area for both pedestrians and road users is an issue which will be addressed over the mid-term and it was suggested the need for traffic to slow down, not be stopped altogether. Yet, along streets such as Blackwell Street, it was suggested that more could be done to make the area more appealing and visually stimulating. As residents suggested “the buildings are in need of a little love”.

It’s good that there isn’t a uniform signage style as the shop buildings are all different, yet they are in need of a bit of an upgrade. Through the use of colour and a bit of thought, shop fronts could be made much more appealing for people using the area. Shopkeepers said they are willing to work on their shop fronts, but they need the confidence to know that they will be there in five years time whilst being supported in this improvement by the council. Dirty walls could be painted, pavements cleaned and road signs washed. A flower project was taking place in the local park, why not extend this to the road junction walkways? There are some really intricate details in the built form that are crying out to be celebrated through a bit of effort and not necessarily at great cost.

Ultimately, there is a need to show that something is happening for the better within the area now. It is certainly acknowledged that there is a need for much deeper investment in the area, but improving the everyday aesthetics of Churchfields and Horsefair can help increase everyone’s pride in the area further which I believe can go a long way.

There was one suggestion that was raised which I particularly liked. Rather than leaving empty shops on the corner of Horsefair boarded up, why not commission a big mural painting of ‘Welcome to Horsefair’ and using empty window space for displaying the art from the local school children?

Colin Lorne

Blackwell Street – The issues?

kerryannoneill — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 18:56:36 +0000

Blackwell street was a hotly debated issue in the pop up shop…

People had many points to make and here are some images which demonstrate a few of them. Please add your comments and tell us what you think about the ‘Gateway to Churchfields’

Many people highlighted the Blackwell street as an area where they would like to see change.

: The issues map

Shops are empty and neglected

: Shopfronts require cosmetic maintenance

Rubbish on the streets

: Heavy traffic and narrow pavements

: Not enough parking for local shops

: Dangerous road for pedestrians and cars

well kept frontages on less socially accepted shop types

Vibrant colour attracts attention

Pop up Shop: What you told us

nimistry — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 17:20:50 +0000

On Friday 26th and Saturday 27th November MADE and Wyre Forest District Council set up a ‘pop-up’ consultation event in an empty shop on Blackwell Street in Churchfields. The event was aimed at encouraging local people to share their views on the problems and advantages of the Churchfields area and what could be done to improve it. Visitors were able to view a model of the area created by local architecture graduates, a presentation of some early ideas, and an exhibition by local artist Colin Lorne.

The event was very successful; thank you to all those who visited and participated. We had over 85 members of the public visiting the shop and talking to the consultation team. We also had over 25 teachers and council officers visiting us. We were genuinely rushed off our feet, which was good for taking our minds off the cold!

Churchfields model

map of the area

suggestions board

Visit to St. Mary’s School

nimistry — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 15:19:28 +0000

On Thursday 25th November we unveiled the masterplanning model to the teachers, parents and pupils of St. Mary’s School in the area. We were made to feel very welcome by all at the school, and were extremely pleased with the level of enthusiasm and discussion. We were especially impressed by the response from the pupils who were completely switched-on to the problems and issues of the area and how they could be tackled. They were able to point out their houses on the model, and tell us about the things they like about the area. We think they would make great urban planners for the future!

Latest News: What are your Aspirations for the future of Churchfields?

Lorna Parsons — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 00:32:45 +0000

Latest News: Pop Up Consultation Shop

Lorna Parsons — Tue, 23 Nov 2010 11:06:32 +0000

You may have seen our HAVE YOUR SAY posters appearing in the town advertising the consultation event taking place this weekend. We’re looking forward to welcoming you to the Pop Up Consultation Shop located at 55 Blackwell Street, Kidderminster.

See you there!