Enterprise and Business Committee
Inquiry into Town Centre Regeneration

Evidence from Mott Macdonald

Further to your request for responses for the inquiry into The Regeneration of Town Centres consulting engineers Mott MacDonald would like to provide the following response:

Our thoughts are that many of the issues listed as being important and should be considered during the inquiry's consultation process should be addressed as part of a first-rate master plan.  The areas we have focused on the past, an example being Bradford Centre are:

Economic Sustainability:  this is key to addressing unemployment and deprivation.  Work needs to be conducted on understand the local economy, and its role within the regional and sub-regional economy with a view to strengthening the regeneration area's position

Integrating Transport:  there will be a need to understand the current constraints as well as any proposed upgrades of the in local infrastructure  Developing a strategy for integrated and sustainable transport will be keys to making regeneration of an area a success.

Consultation Methodology:  there is always a needs for a comprehensive consultation strategy that meets the requirements of the local authorities' Statements of Community Involvement.  We have successfully undertaken a consultation strategy for the Bradford Bowl project.  This consultation process was commenced at the beginning of the design process rather than at the end which is often the case.  In the past we have hosted The Big Picture Picnic which is essentially a drop-in public workshop.  The workshop took place inside and outside a tent central to the area being regenerated.  We have also engaged with students as man power on the ground the learn more about the local communities.

Micro and Macro Economics:  there is often a need to consider sectors such as leisure, development, land, and construction economics when considering the regeneration of an area.  This can include the setting of economic baselines, identification of key stakeholders, contracts with developers and potential investors, which may lead to an economic strategy vision identifying the economic catalyst projects.

Other areas that may need to be considered when considering the regeneration of an area include contaminated land, flooding, archaeology, conservation, heritage, biodiversity and even risk management.

I trust that our comments are constructive and though to be of benefit.

Signed

Stephen Lawrence

Divisional Director

Mott MacDonald

Email: stephen.lawrence@mottmac.com

web: www.mottmac.com

This message is from Mott MacDonald Limited, registered in England number 1243967. Registered office:

Mott MacDonald Limited

Mott MacDonald House, Sydenham Road, Croydon CR0 2EE