Public consultations receive great support from residents across the borough
Rossendale Borough Council’s public consultations over a series of large regeneration projects that are happening across the Valley have had huge support from residents and businesses.
Public and stakeholder meetings, drop-in sessions, face-to-face consultations, and questionnaires have been used for people to learn about the detail of future and on-going projects in Rawtenstall, Haslingden, Bacup and Waterfoot.
And the number of replies and comments have been in the hundreds demonstrating the wealth of community feeling in the borough and the ability of the council to interact and respond with the residents and businesses.
Council leader Alyson Barnes, who is also lead member for economic development, said: “The response we have had over the last 12 months has been fantastic.
“Whenever we arrange public consultations it is never a box-ticking exercise. We listen and learn and act upon the opinions of residents, businesses and other stakeholders.
“For instance, in Bacup we have completed the first phase of engagement concerning the redevelopment of the market with market traders, town centre shop owners and the town’s business leaders in the form of meetings and a questionnaire which attracted more than 450 replies.
“Having considered the various opinions we have made several changes and tweaks to the original plans for the new Temple Court Market and cycle hub and these will be incorporated in a revised design which will be made public in a few weeks’ time.”
Similarly, in Haslingden, the collaboration between the local community and the council has seen alterations being made to not only the plans for the redevelopment of the town’s market but also for the public realm work being carried out in Higher Deardengate and for the Big Lamp Project.
A consultation meeting was held with local businesses at the library, in addition to drop-in sessions for members of the public. And the council’s town centre manager Dawn Lawler visited many shop traders raising awareness of the regeneration plans.
A questionnaire concerning the future design of the market, with its open community and events area, resulted in more than 430 replies raising lots of good ideas including revising the days when the market should be open.
In Waterfoot, 550 people responded to a consultation document which helped the council understand fully the town’s strengths, opportunities and challenges.
The questionnaire took the form of an online survey, some face-to-face interviews, drop-in sessions and the involvement of students from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School to take on board opinions from young people’s perspective.
And in Rawtenstall the town’s Masterplan has been explained in detail at public drop-in sessions in December, and at targeted meetings with market traders and business leaders as well as at a workshop with key town centre stakeholders including the Civic Trust, Civic Pride, Chamber of Trade, the police and bus station managers.
Councillor Barnes added: “We have been delighted with the responses we have received. The council want to regenerate the borough for the benefit of the people who live and work here and to encourage more people to visit the area. And is taking on board the public opinions that will make our plans a success.”
The consultations have been organised by the council’s economic development and regeneration team.
All of the projects are being funded by Rossendale Borough Council with grant support from Heritage Lottery Fund, now a £2.5m investment, Shared Prosperity Fund £2.64m and Capital Regeneration funding supported by Levelling Up, £17.95m, and Lancashire County Council.