ORDSALL AND LANGWORTHY EXECUTIVE GROUP
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING HELD ON 2ND OCTOBER , 2007
The Ordsall and Langworthy Executive Group, together with guests from
partnership agencies , received a short report and presentation which
described the physical area that was included in Central Salford and set out
the principal strands by which engagement of the various Partners in the
regeneration of the area would be secured . These included (a) Planning
Guidance setting out the principles involved in creating a cohesive and
distinctive sense of place and character and ensure the appropriate mix of
uses and high quality design in new development and public realm, (b) a
Development Framework to develop a detailed programme for regeneration
within the area within the context established by the Guidance. And (c) a
Neighbourhood Planning Programme to engage residents of the Islington
estate in the identification and development of options for the future of the
area.
The presentation set out the timetable for consultation on the above activities
and the methods that would be employed to secure participation.
Representatives of the Partner agencies outlined their contribution to the
regeneration process, their aspirations for the area and the challenges which
might arise .Change was required to create an environment in which people
might want to walk or pause rather than pass through to facilitate the
development of safe walkways that would be a convenient and practical way
in which residents could access jobs in the City Centre. A priority to be tackled
by 2011/2012 was to deal with the 60% of social housing which did not meet
Decent Homes Standards. Salix Homes were working with partners to try and
secure funds to improve the wider environment in which the homes were
based. There was a need for community spirit and cohesion Members
discussed possible venues at which drop-in sessions might be organised.
Partners acknowledged the need to clarify the agencies responsible for the
various activities and how contact could be made.
Members (i) emphasised the need to ensure that the community was given
accurate information and timescales, (ii) drew comparison with the Mediacity
development which, being an undeveloped site, was considered less complex
and in a location that did not offer the opportunity to re-establish a city centre
for Salford, (iii) wondered if it would be possible to achieve a standard of
housing with no difference between the public and private sectors and which
would fulfil community aspirations and (iv) noted that the proposals did not
make reference to infrastructure facilities (such as libraries etc.) to support the
housing development. It was acknowledged that Salford Crescent Railway
Station was not adequate in terms of platform length and would need
upgrading to an interchange to exploit the opportunities for linking to the
Quays.
The Executive Group received a report setting out progress to date in
implementing the Ordsall Development Framework, identifying threats and
opportunities that could affect future work and clarifying whether the principles
of the Framework remained valid.
A verbal report was made on developments which had arisen since the report
was prepared. The Primrose Hill Community Primary School and Children’s
Centre had opened and appeared to be popular. Completion of the Radclyffe
Mews Development was due by the end of October. All 3 4 units had been
sold, 22 them to first time buyers. Construction of the Hulton Street
development had started but the unexpected discovery of utility services had
delayed progress. All the units for sale under the "launchpad" scheme had
been sold and there was a waiting list for the next phase. Work on the access
road to this site would commence later in 2007 and it was likely that traffic
calming measures would be introduced on Phoebe Street in spring, 2008.
There was strong local support for the conversion of St. Ignatius Church and
Rectory into dwellings. The proposal to develop the adjacent croft site to
subsidise conversion of the church was , however,
attracting some
objections. Members were concerned to note that, prior to the Demolition of
the former Radclyffe School the vacant building had been vandalised
especially as this had been anticipated. They discussed how similar problems
might be avoided in the future.
A number of comments were made by Members in their consideration of the
report. The framework demonstrated the value of community and trust
organisations in sustaining an area and, some Members felt, proved the need
to fund such groups. There was a growing public perception that too much
open space in the area was being used for buildings and such action was not
always popular. It was considered that contractors needed to accept
responsibility for making secure their sites against vandals .Fly tipping created
a poor impression and demonstrated the need to communicate the availability
in the area of free bulk refuse collection services and to encourage greater
personal responsibility.