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Vision Update

04/10/2007

A Vision for Barnard Castle
Much work has been done since the launch of the Barnard Castle Vision to begin some of the practical work relating to delivering the Vision, the Economic Strategy and the projects outlined in the Retail Distinctiveness Study. While the Vision and the Retail Distinctiveness Study clearly highlight Barnard Castle as the focus for strategic investment, the Economic Strategy covers the whole of Teesdale, all three projects need to be viewed as parts of one larger development programme. Set out below are the aspirations, the assets / theme areas and the concepts we believe will provide the framework for delivery.

A small working group has been established to:
Work with the Steering Group to set priorities
Develop a delivery framework and work plan
Prepare & submit funding bids

The Working Group members are:
Deborah Jenkins - Independent Chair of the Barnard Castle Vision
Kirsten Francis - One North East
Andrew Walker - Durham County Council
Anne Allen - Vision Assistant
Sue Berresford - Teesdale District Council
Pat Graham - Teesdale District Council
Shaun Stuart - Chair of the Economic Theme Group representing Teesdale LSP

The Aspiration
The aspiration is to create a unique 20 year experiment in transformational change of a community which will:

1. Preserve and enhance the existing spirit of place - physical, historical, and emotional
2. Give all the people of Barnard Castle increased opportunity to achieve their full potential and contribute to the life of the town
3. Bring the best possible resources of imagination, intelligence, wisdom, experience and wealth into the town from wherever they can be found
4. Make the town the place to come to try out new ideas
5. Show the world a place of heart, head and hand - open to change, eager to experiment, respectful of its past, ambitious for its future

Key assets of the town

Agriculture - heritage; satellite businesses; services; auction mart; tourism; food; farmer's market; capital of Teesdale

Makers, Menders; Craftspeople and Recyclers - antiques restorers, including of museum quality; furniture makers; framers; potters; painters; expert cabinet makers and joiners; soft furnishers; architectural restorers; blacksmiths; dry stone wallers; stone-masons; photographers; craft plumbers; lighting restorer; book-binders; chocolate-makers; cake bakers; butchers; preserves makers; cheese-makers; quilters; textile restorers; fashion knitwear producer; motorcycling clothes maker; the biggest community recycling project in Europe.

Arts and Applied Arts - A world class museum, including major collections of applied arts, with international links; art galleries; film-makers; writers; film distribution company; a semi-professional theatre company.

Young People - a large comprehensive (Science Specialist College) ; a large public school; a young offender's institution (including award-winning vocational training facilities, Deerbolt College); 4 primary schools; a thriving youth project (Teesdale Community Resources) which is able to mobilise several hundred teenagers; YMCA; a young people's theatre company which regularly performs at the Edinburgh Festival.

Health Campus - in the same area of the town (but as yet unconnected): a new community hospital; a large GP practice; several old people's homes and sheltered accommodation; facilities for learning disabled people, carers, and physically disabled people.

Science - a major pharmaceutical employer; several satellite businesses; the specialist science school

Architectural Heritage - the Bowes; the Castle; St Mary's church; a largely preserved town centre; many good houses, streets, alleyways.

The Concept:
To choose development themes which build on the existing strengths of Barnard Castle To give each of them a physical focus and satellite activity in the town To make each theme as interrelated to all the others as possible To underpin the development themes with a number of cross-cutting topics

This year (07 / 08) the project will fund desk-based studies and other activities required for the Phase I implementation of the Barnard Castle Vision:

1. A site appraisal report including environmental impact, archaeological desk-based assessments and technical assessments of potential development sites linked to the Vision's 10 development themes (science & innovation; active; health campus; agricultural diversity; Vision; food economy; community; artisan; crafts & applied arts; and green) and assessed in terms of seven criteria: wealth creation; social benefit; fit with the 'spirit of place' of Barnard Castle; opportunities for people in Teesdale in general; opportunities for young people in particular; innovation; and attractions for visitors
2. Detailed economic appraisals of 2 or 3 sites that are identified as a result of the desk- based studies as priorities for development
3. A streetscape strategy for the town centre. The streetscape strategy will connect Galgate, the Castle approaches, Horsemarket, Market Place, Newgate, The Bank and Thorngate areas. It will consider the creation of a riverside walk and create a new town trail with improved lighting, signage and pedestrian routes linking the town's main retail, community, leisure and visitor facilities. The streetscape strategy will include proposals and an implementation plan for lighting, signage, street furniture and soft landscaping in keeping with the conservation area.
4. A transport and access study. This will bring together all previous work, assess the existing highway infrastructure within the town of Barnard Castle and identify key issues relating to traffic circulation and management, car parking, public transport and provision for pedestrians, wheelchair/mobility scooter users and cyclists, both within the core of the town and its main access routes (A66, A67 and A689).
5. Delivery support including a Leadership Forum, Vision Information Point and Retail Network. The delivery team needs to buy in specialist skills and services as required to support the development and assessment of briefs and tenders and to produce concept visuals. The Leadership Forum programme of events between November 2007 and March 2008 will bring together major players from different sectors locally, regionally and nationally to share in and develop the Vision, to build a bank of potential investors, to ensure private sector involvement and to achieve inspirational input from key public sector leaders. The Retail Network will implement one of the recommendations of the Market Towns Retail Distinctiveness project to bring together independent and multiple retailers to work together.

Contacting the Vision

Dr Anne Allen
Assistant to Barnard Castle Vision
Tel 01388 718196
email: enquiries@barnardcastlevision.co.uk

Gillian Branch
Administrator
Tel: 01833 696 263
email: g.branch@teesdale.gov.uk