Agenda item

To receive an update from representatives of David Lock Associates on the progress of the Farnborough Town Centre Strategy.

The Board welcomed Karen Edwards, Executive Director and Val Conway, Development Consultant and Rukaiya Umaru, Senior Development Surveyor/Planner, David Lock Associates (DLA).

Mrs Edwards, advised that following the meeting held with the Board at the end of the previous Municipal Year, DLA had taken account of the feedback from the Board and incorporated it into the draft strategy for Farnborough Town Centre. The purpose at this meeting was to review the draft Strategy, prior to the formal document being presented to the Cabinet at its meeting in July.  Any comments and views from the Board would be fed into the final presentation to the Cabinet.

It was advised that the purpose of the Strategy was to pull together a variety of different elements of work to help shape the future of the town centre. It was considered a positive response to the changing nature of town centres and would help manage and instigate positive change to the town to meet local and visitor needs. It would also maximise the benefit of the civic quarter and demonstrate the Council’s commitment to securing a prosperous and sustainable future for Farnborough. The Strategy would also be used as a guide to the process of redevelopment and to help identify next steps.

A review was given on what Farnborough was considered to be today, input from key stakeholders and the vision for the future. The vision stated that Farnborough should be “a town where people chose to go for what they wanted and needed, and would find a whole lot more…”. The vision was backed up by five key themes:

1.    Identity, Branding and Events

2.    Environment, Safety and Wellbeing

3.    Access, Gateways and Wayfinding

4.    Activities

5.    Development

The Board discussed a number of quick wins and “meanwhile” uses for the existing infrastructure in the town. Examples of which were hoarding redecoration, with artwork provided through schools competitions, provision of new seating, allowing pop up themed activities, improvements to security e.g. extended CCTV, false shop fronts in empty shops to display student exhibitions, host maker spaces and a moveable mini forest of potted trees linked to the climate change benefits of tree planting.

The Board was advised of the process for delivery, key areas included:

·         Policy development in areas including, public realm, wayfinding, transport, design principles for town centre living and culture.

·         Detailed masterplan development with key stakeholders

·         Progression of development led by the Council and others e.g. Civic Quarter, proposals for Princes Mead

A number of organisational implications were reviewed which would help to achieve the objectives set out in the strategy, key areas noted were:

·         An adequately resourced town centre management team with a promotion function

·         An adequately resourced development team and pro-active planning team

·         A dedicated bids manager – to maximise securing all available funding

·         A pro-active approach to developing new partnerships, collaborative working and taking a direct lead to secure the right outcomes

·         Flexibility in pursuit of clear objectives

·         Council commitment and leadership

In conclusion, it was noted that the high level and ambitious strategy set out the overall direction of the work required to secure a sustainable and vibrant town centre, that was considered deliverable in the local economic context. The process would raise expectations and require funding but, in the longer term, would reap financial, economic and social rewards. The Council’s ongoing commitment would also provide confidence to investors and development partners moving forward.

The Board discussed the presentation. The Chairman summarised a number of comments that had been raised by Members, these included the need for more green spaces, a night time economy including festivals and other cultural and recreational activities with transport options such as night time buses. Members were advised that, should they have any additional comments on the draft strategy following the meeting these should be emailed to Karen Edwards in advance of the Cabinet meeting on 5th July, 2022.

The Chairman thanked DLA and Mrs Edwards for their presentation.