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A
study of the potential to enhance the green and
open spaces of Stocksbridge SRB5
Report by Jim Flanagan and Sheffield Wildlife Trust
for SVP 6.0. TOWARDS AN ACTION PLAN 6.1. Objectives Information gathered by the Feasibility Study will be used to achieve four key objectives - to increase community involvement on improvement of open space, to develop tourism, to generate new sources of funding to sustain open space projects and to provide 'added value'. It will be necessary to bring projects, both existing and those currently being developed, into the fold of achieving these objectives. This should not be difficult as most of these have been developed and implemented with the above objectives in mind. Achieving these objectives are not goals in themselves. The aim is to involve all the local community in the regeneration of open space and if any of the proposals in this study are taken forward they should be subject to a great deal of discussion and consultation. The approach on many of these ideas is realistic and, in some cases, already tried and tested. Such ideas could appeal to many people in the Stocksbridge community. 6.2. Community Involvement Initially, available funding will need to be targeted to a few carefully chosen projects that have the potential to generate a lot of local community involvement and the prospect of securing further funding from new sources. Early stages of these projects should attempt to bring some benefits and rewards to local people. If much time and expertise is deployed in planning projects with care and attention the greater the likelihood of success later. One or two key and successful projects can spawn many others that can attract new commitment. Projects should be used to establish links within and between community groups to enhance quality of life and facilitate social cohesion. 6.3. Tourism Tourism has great potential to boost the regeneration of the area. Although income from tourism is mostly seasonal it is possible to promote and encourage a range of recreational activities and attractions throughout the year that would be compatible with the protection of landscape and wildlife interest of the area. The diversity of open space means that this could easily be possible. From research carried out as part of his feasibility study for the Upper Don Heritage Trails, Melvyn Jones showed that it is mostly local people that use the countryside around Stocksbridge and the Upper Don. He also showed that there is considerable scope for attracting visitors without harm to the character and nature of the area. Nature reserves and cultural heritage areas have year round appeal. There is plenty of potential to develop a purpose built tourism centre that could promote several themes from a nature reserve network, trails, cycling, angling, sailing, equestrian facilities, community gardens, countryside crafts, industrial heritage, and an events programme. 6.4. Securing further funding Development of an effective funding strategy will be crucial to exploit the various funding sources that are currently available or due to become live such as New Opportunities Fund and Objective 1.
This study identifies a range of potential funding sources that community partnerships and groups in Stocksbridge could exploit. There is already considerable expertise within the various partnerships with an excellent track record of success in raising funds for community regeneration in the area. This study aims to contribute to building on this success through linking potential grant aid with the project ideas and proposals. Establishing links with other SRB areas to exchange knowledge, skills and examples of good practice can help to contribute to effectiveness of projects. Once regeneration targets and objectives begin to be realised extra opportunities for further funding are available. There is a range of award schemes offering large pots of money. For instance, up to £50k is available under the Business in the Community's Better Towns Competitions for projects that demonstrate improvements in local quality of life. From the same organisation there is the Community Enterprise Award with sponsorship from major employers. 6.5. Value added Value added is a method of providing an extra dimension to projects and initiatives that can benefit all parts of the community. Initiatives and action on open space should take a wide and holistic view in drawing up aims and objectives. Dovetailing and complimenting other initiatives will be key to getting the most out of limited resources and therefore provide most impact and benefit to the local community. Open space projects can help to support other initiatives such as community arts, education, youth projects etc. In areas where there is a shortage of open space for recreation other facilities can be developed or transport links improved to ensure that no one part of the community is disadvantaged. Open space should be developed as just one element of a linked network of community facilities and assets. Menu for this Section is in the right hand column
Stocksbridge SRB5 Greenspace Audit undertaken by Jim Flanagan for Sheffield Wildlife Trust - see their Community Action Handbook - full of good ideas for your local site |
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Text and Photographs (unless stated otherwise) © Steel Valley Partnership Stocksbridge, all rights reserved. Terms of use: Any involved in education or training may copy the contents of these web pages, with the proviso that they always make reference to the original copyright. |
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Web pages by Map21 Ltd - latest update 7 June 2004 |
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