Untitled - Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Bolton Town Centre Action Framework // 2005-20082.0 The Action Framework49Action Strand Seven – TownCentre Living2.6.24 As identified elsewhere inthis Framework there is a noticeablemove towards town centre living inBolton. This has a number ofpositive spin-offs for other objectivesof the Plan and should beencouraged. There are opportunitiesfor both private and public sectorhousing to be provided and aconscious effort needs to be made toensure that tentative proposals canbe encouraged and brought tofruition. A proactive process of siteidentification and promotion wouldassist in meeting this objective.ACTION: A PROACTIVE APPROACHWILL BE TAKEN TO THEIDENTIFICATION AND PROMOTIONOF OPPORTUNITIES THAT WILLINCREASE LEVELS OF TOWNCENTRE RESIDENTIALDEVELOPMENTAction Strand Eight – Managementof the Public Realm2.6.25 The importance of a cleaner,greener and safer town centreenvironment that is well managedand maintained is a key factor insecuring the continued developmentof the Town Centre. Streets are usedby us all and it is a priority to ensurethat they are maintained to highstandards, that nuisance issues areeffectively managed, and that thepublic realm is not only safe, butalso perceived to be safe. Actions tobe undertaken relate to effectivepartnership working across a varietyof delivery agencies, together withthe identification of the need forfurther powers or enforcement, andensuring that there are high servicedelivery specifications for basicservices reflecting the expectationsof the modern consumer.ACTION: IMPROVEMENTS WILL BESECURED IN THE MANAGEMENTAND CO-ORDINATION OF THEPUBLIC REALM, ENVIRONMENTALMAINTENANCE AND PUBLICSAFETY

50Bolton Town Centre Action Framework // 2005-20082.0 The Action Framework// Figure 7:ThemeAimsStrategic ObjectivesIllustrative ActionsCater for a broader range ofcultural and social activitiesComplete the business case for theCultural Quarter InitiativeActivity… to make Bolton a first class centre forshopping, leisure, culture and livingPromote the development ofmixed-use and new use areas inand adjacent to the town centreProduce a plan for town centremarket tradingStrengthen the town's retail basePromote the provsion of additionalhigh quality retail floorspaceDevelopment… to create opportunities for new town centredevelopments and investmentCreate conditions for investmentIdentify and promote a towncentre image for developers andemployersIncrease the diversity of the towncentre economic baseDevelop new cultural facilities/publicspacesProduce a series of town centre areaprofiles and initiate masterplanningexercisesFacilitate mixed-use withinindividual buildingsEngage the wider community indevising strategies andimplementing actionsDevelop a new approach tomanagement of the public realmEnsure that the town centre isclean and well-maintainedCelebrate Bolton’s diversity andheritagePerception… to create a place to be proud ofIncrease opportunities for all toaccess the towns environmentaland cultural assetsDevelop and promote a distinctiveand vibrant sense of place for thetown centreFacilitate greater variety in theevening economyAttract national and regional eventsIntroduce and promote a strong'brand' for the town, reflecting amarketing strategyAttract/court investors in the artsAdopt a quality/design ledphilosophy to developmentExplore a town centre PR initiativeManage the interaction ofdifferent transport uses in thetown centreDevelop and refine the town centretransport proposalsMovement… to enable easier access and movementIncrease levels of public transportuseCreate a safe, attractiveenvironment for walking andcyclingUndertake improvements to BoltonInterchangeImprove pedestrian safetyEnhance and develop qualitytransport infrastructureReplace Newport Street Bridge

Bolton Town Centre Action Framework // 2005-20082.0 The Action Framework51Promote availability of BusinessSupport to market tradersIdentify opportunities to createlive/work residential opportunitiesRe-examine the prospects for 'LivingOver The Shop' schemes in Boltontown centreFacilitate greater opportunities forlive music in the town centreProduce a Town Centre Retail PlanPromote and monitor theincorporation of urban designprinciples in town centre workExplore a landlord accreditationscheme and/or landlord licensingfor town centre rental propertiesReview the Cultural Strategy andincorporate a town centre focusActively pursue the implementationof town centre housing proposalsConsider the adoption of a BusinessImprovement District approach totown centre economic developmentDevelop a strategy for the future useof the Le Mans Crescent buildingsDevelop a Health & HousingStrategyIdentify a site for the possible colocationof Bolton's CollegesPrepare a feasibility study into homeshopping/delivery for town centreresidentsIntroduce a specific town centrefocus into the emerging affordablehousing strategyDevelop a car-sharing scheme fortown centre residentsProduce a town centre land-useaction plan as part of the BoltonLocal Development FrameworkPilot a developers forum to promoteand explore town centredevelopment opportunitiesIdentify the opportunities tointroduce further market tradingkiosks into the town centreIdentify opportunities to re-establisha cinema presence in the towncentreCreate additional town centreemployment locationsEncourage niche/specialist usesacross Conservation AreasIdentify and promote vacant/underusedland in the town centre forredevelopmentDevelop an events strategy for thetown centreDevelop and deliver a 24/7Community Safety PlanIdentify resources for the successfulimplementation of the Little BoltonTownscape Heritage InitiativeCommission Second Stage LittleBolton Townscape Heritage InitiativebidDevelop a distinctive marketingidentity for the Town CentreAdopt a considerate contractorethos for town centre highwaymaintenanceComplete the building at risksurveyDevelop a marketing strategy forindependent retailersDevise a promotional strategy for atown centre identityDevelop a 'street-scene' approach topublic sector maintenanceReview the highways maintenanceand management code of practicefor Conservation AreasPromote the re-use of Trinity ChurchPursue the positioning of Bolton as aregional centreAdopt the North West StreetscapeGuide as interim guidanceDevlop an area-wide approach to thefunding of Conservation AreaSchemes in the town centreUndertake research into a possiblefuture role of young people in towncentre cultural activitiesDevelop a town centre strand withinthe emerging tourism strategyComplete the emerging shop frontdesign guideIdentify and pilot innovative methodsof consultation on design andConservation Area issuesEstablish a mandate for a privatesector 'lead' in town centre culturalactivitiesProvide more locations for streettradingAssess the current supply anddemand profile of Bolton TownCentre's tourism 'offer'Attract/court investors in tourisminfrastructureReinforce the Council's commitmentto public art in the town centreRedefine the inner and outer towncentre highway ‘boxes’Develop a Car Parking StrategyReview the Town Centre CyclingStrategyInvestigate innovative fundingstreams and mechanisms fortransport expenditurePromote the construction of a newrail station/ interchange facilityExplore the feasibility of a pilotproject for use of ICT in trafficmanagementUndertake a comprehensive surveyof pedestrian activity betweengateways and town centrePrepare options for possible futureinnovative transport developmentsIncorporate a holistic town centrefocus into the submissions for thereview of the Local Transport PlanDevelop proposals to link QualityBus Corridors into the town centrenetworkReview the Shopmobility schemeand develop best practice guidancePrepare a parking audit of the towncentreDesign 'outer highway box'Devise implementation plan forproposals emerging from the JETTMulti-Modal StudyDevelop a coordinated approach tohighways use based on enablingdevelopment at key sites

52Bolton Town Centre Action Framework // 2005-20083.0 Management and ImplementationPart ThreeManagement and Implementation// 3.1 Governance3.1.1 The Town Centre ActionFramework is issued under the aegis ofthe Vision for the Future Partnership,which has Bolton town centre issuesfirmly within its remit. Thecoordination and management of theFramework’s implementation will beundertaken within existingarrangements involving BoltonMetropolitan Borough Council, theBolton Town Centre Company andpublic sector partners, and beconsistent with the approach describedin the Community Strategy.3.1.2 The Vision for the FuturePartnership Steering Group will take anactive part in monitoring theperformance and delivery of thevarious Action Strands. However, theday-to-day management of theprocesses of bringing forwardimplementation of the Action Strandswill be undertaken by a Town CentreSteering Group organised by theCouncil, but involving representationfrom other stakeholders (e.g. the TownCentre Company, Police etc.) Theterms of reference and membership ofthis body will ensure clearresponsibilities and a clear relationshipwith other groups active within thetown centre.3.1.3 There is a complex interplay ofideas and actions that need to bevalidated, managed, delivered andmonitored using a variety ofmechanisms. The establishment ofrobust and enduring management andimplementation arrangements is theproposed action under Action StrandOne. Figure 8 illustrates the intendedapproach towards the managementarrangements for the Town CentreAction Framework. These will allow fora flexible approach to Action Strandimplementation.3.1.4 The Town Centre Steering Groupwill meet on a regular basis to drivethe implementation of the actions setout in the Framework, engaging andinvolving other partners as appropriate.// 3.2 Implementation3.2.1 As a first step in bringing forwardthe implementation of the Framework’sactions, the Action Strands have beenexamined and a ‘lead’ for each of theActions identified. This is not intendedto indicate that the named lead will beentirely responsible for the delivery ofoutputs and outcomes but that it willbe the focus and driver of activity.3.2.2 Understandably, many of theallocations of lead responsibility are toparts of Bolton MBC and there willneed to be a conscious effort to ensurethat external partners are involved onan ongoing basis.3.2.3 The proposed leadresponsibilities for each of the actionsset out in the Action Strands are setout at Figure 9.// 3.3 Monitoring and Review3.2.4 As part of Action Strand Onemilestones and performance indicatorswill be devised that will form the basisof monitoring the implementation ofthe Framework. The outputs of thisprocess will set a context for the futurereview of the Town Centre ActionFramework.

Bolton Town Centre Action Framework // 2005-20083.0 Management and Implementation53// Figure 8: Management Arrangement and Implementation MechanismsValidation Management Delivery Mechanisms*Vision for the Future PartnershipStakeholderConsultaionBolton MBC• Executive• Executive Member• Policy DevelopmentGroupVision for the futurePartnership SteeringGroupTown CentreSteering GroupBolton MBCDepartmentsManagement andImplimentationBuilding onDistinctivenessKey DevelopmentOpportunitiesRetail andEconomic Vitality...PFI Bid Finance...Local Transport Plan...Local DevelopmentFramework...Little Bolton THI Bid...Business ImprovementDistrict...Development BriefsBolton Town CentreCompany BoardBolton Town CentreCompanyCulture andKnowledgeAccess...Private Sector Investment...BMBC CapitalProgramme...Public Sector InvestmentCommercial DecisionMaking ProcessesPrivate SectorPartnersTown CentreLiving...Business Innovation Zone...Transport InfrastructureFundPublic SectorAccountability (e.g. GMPolice Authority)Public SectorPartnersManagement of thePublic Realm...Planning Gainetc....*illustrative only

54Bolton Town Centre Action Framework // 2005-20083.0 Management and Implementation// Figure 9: Proposed Lead Responsibilities for ActionsStrand and ActionManagement and ImplementationAgree secure and robust management arrangementsBuilding on DistinctivenessCarry out an extensive and inclusive consultation exerciseDevelop ‘Areas of Change’ profilesSecure consensus on the proposed design competition anddevelopment of a competition briefKey Development OpportunitiesPursue the redevelopment of the Key Development Opportunity sitesRetail and Economic VitalityPrepare a Market Trading StrategyPrepare a Town Centre Retail PlanDevelop a partnership approach to a possible Business ImprovementDistrict schemeEncourage and diversify the evening economy of the town centreCulture and KnowledgePrepare an outline business case for the cultural quarter proposalsAccessEnsure the integration of the emerging town centre transport strategywith other action strandsTown Centre LivingIdentify and promote opportunities to facilitate increased town centreresidential developmentPublic RealmSecure improvements in the management and co-ordination of thepublic realmLead ResponsibilityVision for the Future Partnership Steering GroupBMBC Environment Dept (Regeneration)BMBC Environment Dept (Regeneration)BMBC Environment Dept (Regeneration)BMBC Environment Dept (Regeneration)BMBC Commercial Services DeptBMBC Environment Dept (Planning)Bolton Town Centre CompanyBolton Town Centre CompanyBMBC Education & Culture DeptBMBC Environment Dept (Planning)BMBC Chief Executive’s Dept (Housing)Bolton Town Centre Company

FURTHER INFORMATIONIf you are interested in finding out more aboutthe Bolton Town Centre Action Framework,please contact:Regeneration & Economic Development DivisionEnvironment DepartmentTown Hall, Bolton, Lancashire BL1 1RUt: 01204 336231f: 01204 336199e: carol.sutton@bolton.gov.ukw: http://www.bolton.gov.ukPublished by Bolton Metropolitan Borough CouncilJanuary 2005Designed by Cube3Media Ltd. t:01204 533312 www.cube3media.com job ref:03286ref:RNT-WP/P5/TCAF P/PL-11.02.05