Consultation (Jun-Sep 2024)
Filigree Communications was appointed by High Peak Borough Council to carry out some public consultation to ensure that the project is shaped by local needs and championed by local people. Public consultation on the initial FHS proposals for the Spring Gardens regeneration was carried out in February 2020. However, since then, the Covid-19 pandemic hit, which changed the way we use the ‘high street’, the University of Derby is no longer operating a Buxton campus and HPBC has purchased the Springs Shopping Centre, something which was not part of the original masterplan. Opinions and outlooks may have changed considerably so the revised plans submitted to the Government in February 2021 were no longer thought appropriate or fit-for-purpose.
The purpose of the new community consultation was to gather meaningful feedback on key topics such as the needs, challenges and barriers to accessing the town centre, what is valued in the town centre, and what contributes to its identity and vitality; and particularly gathering insight from the seldom-heard demographics such as the older generations, those with a disability and those struggling with their mental health.
Community Workshops & Sessions
Filigree delivered a series of facilitated workshops during the summer of 2024 which covered topics such as experiences of the Spring Gardens area, stories, anecdotes or concerns in accessing the area, identifying valuable and important spaces and resources and suggesting priorities and ideas for future development. Workshops were delivered at Buxton Community School, at Grapevine Wellbeing Centre and Harpur Hill Village Hall.
Wider-ranging public consultation also took place in July and August at Turner’s Memorial, along Spring Gardens, Fairfield Adult Education Centre and online. An electronic survey was also available to complete.
Results
There were over 700 responses to the survey plus further participants at the face-to-face workshops and stalls. Results revealed a desire for enhancements to the public space to not only improve the look of the area but also its use, including improvements to street furniture to make it less cluttered and increased community spaces for performance and work.
A creative display in ‘The Community Space’ unit on Spring Gardens, based on the contributions made by people during the consultation and engagement process and created by local artist, Mister Hope, was on display during October to mid-November.
