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BRENTFORD HIGH STREET: March workshop series starts tonight

Dear allFirst of all thank you for the hugely positive response to the community planning project launch event at Watermans Arts Centre on 18th January.  It was great to see such a large turnout and the free flow of so many ideas.  Since the launch the Steering Group has spent February preparing for a series of workshops that will run through March.  These workshops will pick up on the ideas already put forward and get down into a greater level of detail.  The first workshop - looking at the local economy – is tonight (Thur 1st March) at St Pauls Centre, St Pauls Road from 6.30-9.30pm.The second issue of High Street News is now going out across Brentford.  You can download an electronic copy from here:http://www.openplans.org/projects/brentfordhighstreet/community-planning/highstreetnews-feb-2007.pdfIf you missed the launch event the following resources will bring you up to speed…Project overview -http://www.openplans.org/projects/brentfordhighstreet/community-planning/brentford-high-street-launch-18-january-2007.pdf Videos of launch - http://www.youtube.com/profile_videos?user=brentfordhighstreetSummary of ideas/ initial feedback - http://www.openplans.org/projects/brentfordhighstreet/community-planning/community-comments-at-launch-18-january-2007.pdf A survey from the Historical Context sub-group will be available on the project website (www.brentfordhighstreet.co.uk) in the next 24 hours.  Please download this and give the group your views on what existing buildings on the South Side of Brentford High Street you most value and would like to see renovated.Please forward this email to friends and neighbours.  The more people involved the better the final outcome!Workshop datesLocal Economy – ‘Plugging the leaks’Thursday, 1 March 2007 - 6.30pm-9.30pmSt Paul's Centre (Hall), St Paul’s Road, Brentford, Environmental sustainability - 10am-2pmArts, leisure and culture - 2.30pm-5.00pmMarketing and Image - 2.30pm- 4.30pmSunday, 4 March 2007 - 10am-5pmWaterman’s Arts Centre (Gallery), High Street, BrentfordHistorical contextSunday, 11 March 2007 - 10am-5pmBrentford Dock Residents’ Room, Justin Close, BrentfordTour of area (meet at Residents’ Room) - 10am-12noonWorkshop (back at Residents’ Room) - 12noon-5pmUrban Design and liveabilitySaturday, 24 March 2007 - 10am-5pmBrentford Free Church (Foyer), Boston Manor Road, BrentfordAn Older peoples’ workshop is being hosted by Age Concern Hounslow on the morning of Wednesday 21st March.  This will consider the redevelopment of the High Street from an older person’s perspective.  If you would like to attend please email SeemaBhogal@ageconcernhounslow.org.uk An invitation only Young peoples’ conference is being hosted by Holiday Inn on Monday 26th March - led by Luke Kirton (West Play) and Garth Buckle (Hounslow Education Business Partnership).  This will consider the full range of issues around the future of the High Street with young people from local schools.For the all day workshops please remember to bring lunch with you.  Before attending a workshop you may like to take a look at some of the tools and resources on the thematic sub-groups web page:  http://www.openplans.org/projects/brentfordhighstreet/resources-and-tools The High Street Steering Group will reconvene at the end of March to start consolidating the ideas coming out of all the workshops.  If you have any queries about the process or suggestions please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly.Kind regardsAndrew DakersChair, High Street Steering Groupwww.brentfordhighstreet.co.uk

Andrew Dakers ● 6666d4 Comments

"I'm sure a lot of people like me are trying to better understand how a town area gets developed, so they can see why it seems impossible for the 'Brentford High Street development' to make any progress."I would agree Brentford has been very slow to happen for a variety of reasons, but I dont think its impossible.  It was redeveloped 40 odd years ago ...and other parts of the borough (whatever you may think of the schemes) have redeveloped their town centres in recent times."The following questions come to mind:1. Who owns the redevelopment of Brentford High Street?Is it the owners of the land?"They are one of a variety of stakeholders - and the land owners are certainly important ones.  On the South side of Brentford High Street the Council is one of several owners but ownership is now much more consolidated than it was.  Geronimo are the largest owners."2. Are the owners of the land the ones who really dictate what will be developed, how, by whom, at what cost and when?"To some extent, and with multiple owners, who dictates made more complicated.  The local planning authority influences the process through planning briefs and the Unitary Development Plan (soon the Brentford Area Action Plan as well).  And then their are market forces and the local community.  In my view the local community has the local intelligence to guide what is likely to be commercially viable and profitable."3. What part does Hounslow/Brentford Council play in this?Do they just approve any planning applications?Can they force the pace?Can they stipulate any development requirements?"The council can approve/ not approve planning applications (although these decisions are sometimes overturned on appeal - see below).  With an active/interested owners/developers the council can influence the pace ....but I think "force" would be too strong.  "Help things along" is probably a truer description.Sometimes Council's have facilitated beauty contests to identify developers and/or architectural competitions on key sites.  The council also has CPO (Compulsory Purchase Order) powers which can be crucial and used for different reasons."4. What part does central government play in this?"Central government (or planning inspectors/ secretary of state) can review decisions of the local planning authority and overturn them (usually to the great frustration of local councillors and the local community!).  The Mayor/ GLA is also seeing his powers increase to drive through some strategic plans through."5. What part do community groups play?Do they just lobby the developers and the Council to try and influence something?"That is certainly one role of community groups.  The work of the High Street Steering Group is intended to inform both the council and developers.Some community groups have also taken a leading role in the development phase.  A great example of this in London is http://www.coinstreet.org/Specifically the history is quite interesting:http://www.coinstreet.org/his_frame.htmlOut of last night's local economy workshop came some ideas for specific projects the local community may initiate to facilitate regeneration."So, in the Brentford High Street development, what is the current position in terms of:Who has the main deciding power? Is it the owners of the land, who have to submit a proposal for development?Well the current owners/ developers have a lot of influence at this point in time as to what plans they eventually bring to the table.  The Steering Group/ local community has a key role to play in expressing its view on what an appropriate and viable scheme would look like.  And then the council as planning authority (potentially GLA/ central gov't) will have a role to play.  Its a layered process and power is diffuse!Anyone can table a planning application for a site even if they don't own the land."Is there a committed schedule?"None yet from the current developers/ owners, but they seem keen to move quickly.  The High Street Steering Group will report back in late April/ early May on findings from the March workshops. "Is it in the owners interest to delay further?etc."I don't think so at this point in time.  They have communicated pretty clearly that they have bought the land to develop it, rather than sit on it longer term.Other councillors may want to add to my comments with their own views regarding the process.Best regardsAndrew

Andrew Dakers ● 6665d

I'm sure a lot of people like me are trying to better understand how a town area gets developed, so they can see why it seems impossible for the 'Brentford High Street development' to make any progress.The following questions come to mind:1. Who owns the redevelopment of Brentford High Street?Is it the owners of the land?2. Are the owners of the land the ones who really dictate what will be developed, how, by whom, at what cost and when?3. What part does Hounslow/Brentford Council play in this?Do they just approve any planning applications?Can they force the pace?Can they stipulate any development requirements?4. What part does central government play in this?5. What part do community groups play?Do they just lobby the developers and the Council to try and influence something?So, in the Brentford High Street development, what is the current position in terms of:Who has the main deciding power? Is it the owners of the land, who have to submit a proposal for development?Is there a committed schedule?Is it in the owners interest to delay further?etc.

Duncan Walker ● 6665d

The Historical Context survey can be downloaded from:http://www.openplans.org/projects/brentfordhighstreet/resources-and-tools/historical-context-survey.pdfAndrew

Andrew Dakers ● 6666d

Just back from tonight's workshop - not my thing economics, but a capably led bit of brainstorming to arrive at positive ideas for bringing and keeping finance in Brentford.Just one note on Andrew's request for responses to those existing buildings you'd like to see renovated - don't forget to include the traditional yards which mostly remain intact and could be renovated and made use of for improved access between High St and river.

Nigel Moore ● 6666d