Report - London Borough of Hillingdon
Report - London Borough of Hillingdon
Report - London Borough of Hillingdon
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B. HILLINGDON SPACES AND PLACES<br />
<strong>Hillingdon</strong>’s spaces and places, its natural and built environment and its cultural<br />
places must also be at the heart <strong>of</strong> the cultural strategy. <strong>Hillingdon</strong> is a very green<br />
borough with the second largest area <strong>of</strong> green belt <strong>of</strong> all <strong>London</strong> boroughs. Our open<br />
space is one <strong>of</strong> our most important assets, including our 165 parks. We also benefit<br />
from four woodlands that are national nature reserves, two country parks and<br />
important waterways including the Grand Union Canal and the River Colne.<br />
The quality <strong>of</strong> our built environment is also important. Our cultural facilities including<br />
our libraries, leisure centres, swimming pools, theatres and art centres, youth and<br />
community centres are a focus for individual expression and community activity.<br />
Pressures on resources mean the continual review and re-prioritising <strong>of</strong> the<br />
development and refurbishment <strong>of</strong> facilities to meet new and growing cultural needs.<br />
Our town centres are places not just for shopping but also for socialising and<br />
community activity. All have their distinctive character and some are already<br />
developing local street activities.<br />
We also need to preserve and restore our built heritage particularly places like the<br />
Manor Farm site and Barra Hall and Park which <strong>of</strong>fer so much to the local<br />
community.<br />
All these spaces and places are important in the lives <strong>of</strong> the community and the<br />
Cultural Strategy must seek a sustainable way to ensure that all parts <strong>of</strong> the<br />
community benefit from them. In particular the needs <strong>of</strong> children and young people<br />
for play and exciting and enjoyable recreational activity, including music and media<br />
projects, should be recognised if we are to help lay the foundations for the healthy<br />
and lively <strong>Hillingdon</strong> community <strong>of</strong> the future.<br />
Aims<br />
<strong>Hillingdon</strong>’s spaces and cultural facilities are important to the quality <strong>of</strong> life <strong>of</strong> all its<br />
residents and visitors and the Cultural Strategy should help ensure that:<br />
• We make the most <strong>of</strong> and improve access to our green spaces and natural<br />
environment ensuring that we preserve it for future generations to enjoy<br />
• We maintain and improve the quality <strong>of</strong> cultural facilities taking care to see<br />
that they meet the needs <strong>of</strong> all sections <strong>of</strong> the community<br />
• We help make our public spaces and places attractive and safe for use by all<br />
the community.<br />
• We ensure that we protect and enhance access to and appreciation <strong>of</strong> our<br />
built heritage<br />
Priorities<br />
Our priorities for the Cultural Strategy are to:<br />
B1: Widen access to and enhance the opportunities to benefit from<br />
<strong>Hillingdon</strong>’s cultural spaces and places so that everyone can enjoy <strong>Hillingdon</strong>’s<br />
considerable assets.<br />
PART I – MEMBERS & PUBLIC (INCLUDING THE PRESS)<br />
Cabinet <strong>Report</strong>s - 4 th March 2003 Page 71