VISION - Council's Vision

Cllr Kieran Quinn
Cabinet Deputy for Economic Services

Introduction
The Changing Face of Tameside
The Council’s Vision for Good Design
Achieving good design in the built environment is enshrined in PPG 1
The Council’s Vision for the M60
What are the specific aims of the design first strategy?

Council’s Vision

Introduction:

The Council as a representative body, exists to maximise the well-being of the people of the Borough. A healthy and sustainable environment is fundamental to the well-being of the Borough both now and for the long term future. The Council has given an undertaking to work to improve and protect the environment. It will improve the appearance and cleanliness of the Borough for the benefit of the local people, visitors and potential investors. Local guidance, in the form of the Community Plan, Economic Development Plan and the UDP stress the importance of good design in the development of an attractive built environment.

The Changing Face of Tameside:

The opening of the M60, the Huddersfield Canal Millennium Project and the development of Ashton Moss have changed the face of Tameside and have opened up new opportunities in this area. Tameside, once renowned for its cotton mills and industry, is once again a vibrant, booming area presenting a modern face to the outside world.

Promoting higher quality design of the environment throughout the Borough is being addressed through a number of Local Authority Initiatives:-

• The emerging UDP;
• Ashton Renewal Area Masterplan & Design Guide;
• The Tameside Waterways Design Guide (publication due);
• The Streetscene Good Practice Guide;
• Britain in Bloom Initiatives;
• The Tameside Gateways Initiative;
• Ashton Moss Design Framework;
• Ashton Townscape Heritage Initiative, and
• Denton Town Centre Development & Design Framework.

The urban design works implemented as part of the re-opening of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal are a current example of the standards and quality of built environment expected by Tameside MBC in any future development.

The M60 Web campaign is the next step in achieving a better built environment.

The Council’s Vision for Good Design:

Good design can help promote sustainable development, improve the quality of the existing environment, attract business and investment, reinforce civic pride and a sense of place and underpin the role of towns and villages as centers of social activity. Through an emphasis on quality of design in developments it can also help to secure continued public acceptance of necessary new development.

Achieving good design in the built environment is enshrined in PPG 1:

“Good design should be the aim of all those involved in the development process and should be encouraged everywhere. Applicants for planning permission should be able to demonstrate how they have taken account of the need for good design in their development proposals and that they have had regard to relevant development plan policies and supplementary design guidance. Local planning authorities should reject poor designs, particularly where their decisions are supported by clear plan policies or supplementary design guidance which has been subjected to public consultation and adopted by the local planning authority.”

The Council’s Vision for the M60:

Recent changes and significant developments within Tameside have meant that increasing numbers of investors and existing businesses are looking at Tameside for new developments and for expansion. Developers and investors wish to protect their investment, residents wish to live in an environment that improves their quality of life. Tameside MBC are helping to protect and encourage investment and to create a better living environment by adopting better design practice as detailed in Planning Policy Guide (PPG) and taking on board the recommendations arising out of the Urban Task Force findings.

Tameside MBC has a clear vision for the M60 Corridor within the Borough:

As a strategic route into Tameside
As advertisement / shop window for the changing face of Tameside;
A corridor linking and connecting integrated uses;
A development opportunity which brings innovation & contemporary design to Tameside whilst respecting the local character;
A statement of quality clearly defined on the ground.

What are the specific aims of the design first strategy?

To give practical effect to the principles of PPG1, the community plan & economic strategy thereby achieving high quality development in the built environment and gaining a competitive advantage for the Borough by delivering the following specific aims:

To improve the appearance and image of the Borough thereby encouraging investment and contributing to its success.

To achieve & maintain sustainable developments involving the prudent use of natural resources.

To achieve & maintain innovative developments which benefit from contemporary solutions whilst respecting and responding to the character of the Borough.

To achieve & maintain attractive integration of development thereby minimizing the impact of development on the local and wider communities.

To achieve & maintain attractive places which minimizes the opportunity for crime and the fear of crime thereby encouraging social and community activity.