Updated 28.08.2024
High Peak Borough Council (HPBC) is moving on from the Heritage Action Zone (HAZ) and Future High Streets (FHS) projects for Spring Gardens, as their grant schemes come to an end. However, HPBC still has up to £4.2m committed to the FHS project, and works to deliver the full FHS proposals, with this other funding, can continue until 2027.
This new phase is being called ‘Revitalising Buxton’ and it has a wider remit than the HAZ and FHS projects, looking to comprehensively regenerate Lower Buxton over the next few years.
A first meeting of stakeholders, including Vision Buxton, was held in early 2024, with further meetings taking place in April and July.
We will endeavour to keep you updated with any further progress.
Consultation
Filigree Communications has been 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 was carried out in February 2020 into the initial FHS proposals for the Spring Gardens regeneration. You can see a timeline of the project here and read about (and download) the original plans here.
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 are no longer thought appropriate or fit-for-purpose.
The purpose of the new community consultation is to gather meaningful feedback on key topics, particularly gathering insight from the seldom-heard demographic.
Key topics include: 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.
Community Workshops
Filigree has planned two in-person, facilitated workshops in June, one for young people and one for adults, and one for residents of Harpur Hill in September.
Whilst they are looking for feedback from all Buxton residents, they would particularly like to hear the thoughts of the older generations, those with a disability and those struggling with their mental health.
The format of the workshops will vary between the groups and be suited to their needs. They will address 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.
- Youth workshop – Wednesday 26 June at Buxton Community School.
- Adult workshop – Thursday 27 June, 4pm-5.30pm at Grapevine Wellbeing Centre, Eagle Parade. To take part, RSVP to hello@filigreecommunications.com.
- Harpur Hill Workshop – Wednesday 11 September, 6pm-7:30pm, Harpur Hill Village Hall (Harris Rd, SK17 9JS). Register your attendance here.
Public Consultation – Sessions
Wider-ranging public consultation will take place in July and August on the following dates:
- Saturday 13 July – in-person, 10am-2pm at Turner’s Memorial
- Tuesday 13 August – in-person, 10am-1pm along Spring Gardens
- Wednesday 21 August – virtual engagement with the general public, 6.30pm-7.30pm – link to join: https://zoomto.me/Y-ikA, passcode: 078734
- Wednesday 11 September – drop-in engagement session for residents of Fairfield, 1pm-4pm outside Fairfield Adult Education Centre (St Nicholas Hall, Victoria Park Rd, SK17 7PE)
Public Consultation – Electronic Survey
An electronic survey to gather contributions from the general public has been created.
Timeline
Jun-Sep 2024 – community consultation on development principles
Oct-Dec 2024 – selection of development partner
2025 – planning application(s)
2026 – construction
2027 – project completion
Further Information
Visit the project website – www.revitalisingbuxton.co.uk/
Email the team – RevitalisingBuxton@highpeak.gov.uk
