Gehl Architects, the award-winning Danish firm of architects and urban designers, has been appointed to lead a bold and imaginative neighbourhood plan for the regeneration of the Sneinton area.

Gehl Architects, which has worked on regeneration and sustainable neighbourhood projects all over the world, has been commissioned to carry out the Neighbourhood Development Plan for the area. Architects from the Copenhagen-based firm were in Nottingham this week (6.12.07) to take the plan a step further.

Commissioned by Nottingham Regeneration Limited (NRL) along with partners and Nottingham City Council, the Neighbourhood Development Plan will provide a framework for the regeneration of the area for the next ten to 15 years.

The plan will cover the area which includes Sneinton Market, Lower Parliament Street bus depot sites, Brook Street and Victoria Park. The plan will also take in the area east of the city centre between Carlton Road and Stonebridge Road.

Sue Churchill of Church Lukas and NRL board member said: “This is an exciting opportunity to take a fresh look at the area, develop a vision, and draw on the extensive experience of the consultants, which includes European best practice.”

As part of the plan, the local community will be encouraged to become involved with the process of developing a vision. There will also consultation with developers, designers and the business community. There will be several community consultation events and processes as the plan is put together.

Consultation with the community starts next week (w/c 10.12.07.  As well as on-line surveys, there will be community workshops, focus groups and existing community forums and groups, says Louise Seymour, principal project officer at NRL.

“The study will identify sites which have the potential to have a huge impact on the area in terms of regeneration, through appropriate redevelopment and introduction of new uses,” she said.

The main purpose of the study is to develop a vision for the area and to ensure that there is a strategy for change.

Key objectives are:
• To provide a catalyst for new development activity
• To work with the community and business community to ensure they have a constructive role in development the vision for the area
• To secure the commitment and investment of landowners
• To improve the image and quality of the built and public realm environment including access and linkage to open and green spaces
• To provide a focus for the Eastside and link the communities of St Anns and Sneinton to the city centre
• To maximise the opportunities to enhance the social capital of the communities.

Gehl Architects has extensive experience across Europe in urban design and public spaces. Their team includes Macreanor Lavington, architects and urban designers based in The Netherlands and the UK,  and Martin Stockley Associates engineers and public realm specialists. The team also includes Arc4 which will lead on consultation, working closely with the city council.

Coun Alan Clark, portfolio holder for neighbourhood regeneration,
Nottingham City Council, said:  "The regeneration of Sneinton, one of
the main arterial roads in the city, will have a huge impact on
Nottingham and will help to move the city forward.

"Residents’ views on how the area should look will be key in the decision-making process and we welcome them to come forward with their views."

"Nottingham City Council is pleased to be sharing this project with
Nottingham Regeneration Limited."