DOCUMENT FOR THE REGENERATION OF OLD COLWYN ~ APRIL 2010
Provided by the four Councillors of Old Colwyn following public consultation with the residents.
Produced by the Councillors for the Strategic Regeneration Area, under the auspices of Conwy County Borough Council.
This document is for the full funding stream and not the Community Cohesion Fund
1. Gateway to Old Colwyn
Proposal
Provide welcome signs and flower beds at the entrance/exits points of the village and information on local
attractions and features of interest,
Reason.
Gateways can fit in with historic theme of conservation area and provide a sense of identity. Signage to indicate what the area has to offer visitors
Intended outcome
This is linked with the overall regeneration of the Conservation Area and restoration of the historic theme overall. Creating a sense of identity, thus instilling community pride and encouraging passing trade.
Themes
Improving transport and Accessibility.
Conserving the historic environment
Sustainable Economy
2. CCTV
Proposal
Improve the CCTV coverage of the village to provide a more encompassing and inclusive view of the area,
Reason.
This would create a more secure environment for residents and local businesses.
Intended outcome
Linked with the lighting of the parks and improved shop front security as well as the creation of a sense of
community pride and reduction in the perception of crime or danger.
Themes
Sustainable Economy Health and Well being
Enhancing Community Facilities
Crime and Safety
3. Street Furniture
Proposal
Provide uniformed and themed street furniture to create a tidy environment. Bins, benches, railings and street lighting would be designed to fit in with the enhanced “Old fashioned” theme of the Conservation Area.
Reason
This would enhance the conservation area and create a cleaner environment and sense of identity. As it stands the area is scruffy mismatched.
Intended outcome
This should help reduce vandalism by creating a sense of community pride. The Conservation area would be enhanced and the old fashioned theme would hopefully attract visitors.
Themes
Enhancing Community Facilities Conserving the historic environment, Crime and Safety, Sustainable economy.
4. Berthes Road car Park upgrade
Proposal
Upgrade of current car park to provide improved car parking facilities for the community, this is intended to provide more spaces by situating the recycling bins, improving the surface and creating more uniform and identifiable spaces.
Reason
The current car park is a dumping ground for unused cars and is mostly used for residential parking. A large part of the area is taken over by recycling provision and there are very few available parking spaces. The car park has uneven surfacing and limited lighting at night time making the area seem unsafe and it is often avoided after dark.
Intended outcome
This will make shops more accessible and therefore encourage people to visit the area and improve the overall economic vitality and viability of the local businesses.
Themes
Improving transport and accessibility; Conserving the historic environment; Sustainable economy, Crime and safety, Enhancing community facilities.
5. Cefn Road resurfacing
Proposal
Resurfacing and levelling out of what is currently a very busy one-
The pavements will be removed and the area cobbled/bricked and themed Street furniture provided to incorporate the historic theme of the area
Reason
The street has a variety of conflicting uses such as parking and loading for the villages main supermarket/convenience store, as well as being home to a bus stop and taxi rank. This will help to decongest Cefn Road and provide an area for entertainment and market stalls in the future.
Intended outcome
A themed central area for the Village will create a sense of “place” and will encourage tourists and shoppers, improving the overall vitality and viability of the area.
Themes
Conserving the Historic environment; Enhancing Community Facilities
6. Linking the Promenade to the Cliff Prout River Walk
Proposal
Linking the “Cliff Prout River walk incorporating Tan y Coed, Fairy Glen, Min y Don Woods and Llawr Pentre. Illuminated information boards will be provided as part of the river walk.
Reason
To provide an extended walking route, with information boards containing information on points of interest.
Intended outcome
To encourage visitors and residents alike to enjoy the areas historical and natural environment, promote walking in terms of fitness and greener forms of transport.
Themes
Education and skills; Improving transport and Accessibility; Sustainable Economy; Health and Well being; Enhancing Community Facilities
7. Mark Earp Walk-
Proposal
A walk linking Penmaenhead and Tan Lan through Old Colwyn and Eirias Park through to Colwyn Bay.
Reason
To provide an extended walking route with information boards containing information on points of interest.
Intended outcome
Top encourage visitors and residents alike to enjoy the area’s historical and natural environment, promote walking in terms of fitness and greener forms of transport.
Themes
Education and Skills; Improving transport and Accessibility; Sustainable Economy; Health and wellbeing; Enhancing community facilities; Conserving the historic environment.
8. Supporting Colwyn Bay Football Club
Proposal An expansion of Colwyn Bay Football Clubs Youth Programme
Reason
Colwyn Bay Football in the Community to pilot work based football training programme. A 20 week training programme for young people not currently in training or education to teach them commercial roles.
Intended outcome
The programme aims to tackle the problems of youth disengagement, participants gain work experience, life skills and recognisable qualifications and is aimed at those who may not be able to access these types of opportunities elsewhere.
Themes
Crime and Safety; Enhancing Community facilities; Crime and Safety; Improving transport and accessilbility; sustainable economy.
9. Signage off the A55
Proposal
Creating better signage off the A55 to make people more aware of the village and what it has to offer.
Reason
To attract people to the area and encourage them to visit the village not just pass by.
Intended outcome
To enhance the local economy by encouraging visitors to spend money in the area and support local businesses.
Themes
Improving transport and accessibility; Sustainable Economy.
10. Marine roundabout improvement.
Proposal
Redeveloping the “Marine” roundabout to make it safer and more attractive. The roundabout is extremely busy as it links Old Colwyn to Colwyn bay, the Promenade / Beach, the five schools, Colwyn bay Football Club, garage, Fire station, Police Station, Ambulance station and Hospital.
Reason
the Marine roundabout is one of the main entrance points to the village and as such should a safe, attractive focal point to welcome visitors and residents alike. the roundabout is fairly dangerous and is used by a lot of heavy goods vehicles, and is extremely busy during school/work start and finish times.
Intended outcome
A safer more attractive focal point as a gateway to the village.
Themes
Crime and Safety; Improving transport and accessibility; Sustainable economy, Conserving the historic environment;
Enhancing community facilities.
11 New village toilets
Proposal
Providing public toilets-
Reason
This could be provided at the community hub or included in the Min y don Park, Improvements or provisions
put in place for the public to use the toilets in existing shops/cafes.
Intended outcome
To increase much needed public conveniences and encourage people to stay in the village for longer without worrying about essential facilities.
Themes
Sustainable Economy; Health and Well being; Enhancing Community Facilities
12 Low level lighting in green spaces
Proposal
Providing low level lighting in the existing green spaces within the village.
Reason
This would provide natural surveillance and help towards elimination of a sense of fear in public places. This would
encourage people to use the parks for evening strolls and dog walking and help to disperse gatherings of groups of teens.
Intended outcome
This links with the proposal to improve the CCTV in Old Colwyn.
Themes
Improving transport and Accessibility; Health and Well being; Enhancing Community Facilities
Crime and Safety Sustainable Economy.
13 Upgrading Min y Don Park play area
Proposal
“Relax in the Park” project opening up the church campus to the general public, especially mothers with children using the play area and more senior members of the community.
Reason
This would improve public facilities and provide an improved play area for the children and public toilets and
kitchen facilities.
Intended outcome
All profit would be put back into the community so the project could be economically beneficial to the area and would provide much needed community facilities.
Themes
Sustainable Economy; Health and Well being; Enhancing Community Facilities; Crime and Safety
14 Min y Don Bowling Club/Sports Association building
Proposal
Demolition of existing sports pavilion and construction of new and improved sports pavilion in Min y don Park.
Reason
To create a sports association building suitable for hosting sports events and to provide a sports facility for local residents.
Intended outcome
To encourage people from outside areas to attend sporting events and generate additional visitors and Income into the area and make Old Colwyn more recognisable in terms of sporting achievement.
Themes
Sustainable Economy; Health and Well being; Crime and Safety; Enhancing Community Facilities
15. 100% Grants for shop front restoration
Proposal
Providing grants for the regeneration of shop fronts within the Conservation Area to fit in with the historic nature of
.
the Village. This can include more aesthetically pleasing shop front security measures and the restoration, replacement and reconstruction of the shabby looking canopies.
Reason
To restore and recreate the historic nature of the conservation area and encourage shop keepers to have shopfronts that are not detrimental to the overall streetscape.
Intended outcome
A safer more attractive village centre with reduced crime and more aesthetically pleasing shop fronts encouraging
visitors and promoting a sense of community pride within residents thus generating income and improving the areas vitality and viability.
Themes
Sustainable Economy; Enhancing Community Facilities; conserving the historic environment; Crime and Safety
16 Conversion of derelict shops into residential accommodation
Proposal
Conversion of long-
Reason
This would help to combat the need for affordable housing and provide a use for otherwise run down derelict shops.
It would also provide natural 24 hour surveillance and therefore reduce crime
Intended outcome
To improve the economy of the area by improving appearance, reducing crime, reducing the need for affordable housing and generating income.
Themes
Health and Well being
Crime and Safety
Enhancing Community facilities
Sustainable Economy
17 Community Hub
Proposal
Purpose built Community Centre to incorporate all community needs, this would include rooms for fitness/dance classes, staged area to hold shows and concerts, internet access and computers to hold courses, a soft play area for young children and cafe with public toilets and tourist information point.
Reason
To improve community facilities, provide a solution to a variety of weaknesses faced by the area in one self sufficient, sustainable development.
Intended outcome
To generate income from visitors attending sporting events or entertainment; increase access to leisure and educational facilities. To provide much needed community facilities and provide a heart to the community.
Themes
Health and Well being
Crime and Safety
Enhancing Community facilities
Sustainable Economy
Conserving the historic environment
18 Advertising
Proposal
Advertising and promoting local businesses within the village. This can include a Village website, a Community notice board and a tourist information board.
Reason
To ensure residents and people outside the village are aware of all the village has to offer in terms of attractions, facilities, local businesses and events.
Intended outcome
Increase visitors and support locaI businesses thus giving the area a sustainable economic boost.
Themes
Enhancing community facilities; education and skills.
19 Traffic Calming Measures
Proposal
Traffic calming measure to be put in place in areas such as Coed Coch Road, Kennedy Court and Abergele Road.
Reason
To protect the local community especially the younger and older generations from the danger or road traffic accidents
in the most dangerous or well used areas.
Intended outcome
A safer community for all, this may encourage families to send their children to school here and even move/stay within the area.
Themes
Health and Well being; Crime and Safety Improving transport and accessibility; Sustainable Economy
20 Festival/Seasonal attractions
Proposal
Seasonal attractions and festivals such as market stalls etc to take place in the new Village Centre on Cefn Road and the new community hub.
Reason
To encourage community involvement and entice tourists and shoppers improving the overall vitality and viability of the area.
Intended outcome
To make Old Colwyn a distinct and inviting place of interest in order to generate financial investment and support local businesses,
Themes
Sustainable Economy; Health and Well being; Enhancing Community Facilities; Conserving the historic environment
Considerations in the April 2010 Meeting of Old Colwyn East Residents
SRA REGENERATION PLAN FOR OLD COLWYN ~ by Local Councillors
Councillor Cossey handed out copies of the plan which was fine tuned by public consultation.
He then went through each of the twenty points in the document in some detail.
The document is to be read in conjunction with these minutes.
The following comments were made about the public consultation process.
- Gateway to Old Colwyn ~ this had not been totally supported in consultation/ items such as gateways are street furniture and as such need to be painted and cleaned otherwise they can look scruffy.
- Street furniture ~ comment was passed about the wording of the proposal which mentioned the enhanced “old fashioned theme of the Conservation area. The originally proposed Victorian theme had not been totally supported in the consultation process and it had been resolved that the theme be left out and possibly a modern theme could be used, incorporating the upgraded shop verandas. Therefore the theme of the street furniture needs to be left more open than “old fashioned”
15. 100% grants for shop front restoration ~ Once again the nature of the theme needs to be kept open to allow consideration of a more modern theme.
17. Community Hub ~ This had not been totally supported in consultation and there had been a commitment to using the existing facilities in the village more effectively rather than constructing a new facility.
This was noted by Councillor Cossey as more of a village “Wheel” rather than a “Hub”
19. Traffic Calming Measures ~ Comment was made by the secretary that our association had a history of not supporting “sleeping policemen” type measures which tend to divert users to other routes. Chicane type measures are preferable.
These points were noted by Councillor Cossey for the inclusion in the new document.
Following the presentation, the Chair asked people to indicate their approval or otherwise of the new twenty point scheme.
There were some questions
If improvements are made to Cefn Road would traffic be stopped at times?
A. Yes occasionally but that would have to be in conjunction with Police Local Authority etc.
When will we know what is happening with Min y Don? toilet facilities are required
A. It is a ten year program of funding we cannot say.
Is there any order of priority of these plans?
A. No it is kept open to take advantage of any funding availability.
Have these matters been costed?
A. roughly but the Council officials will quickly provide costings if funding becomes available.
There was full support for the plan.
