Castleford Regeneration The Big Town Plan: Overview

Comments

1. Turning waste land into parks looks nice to start with, forward looking design might find some alotmnet space, maybe a community garden. These things work, they bring people together and provide some fresh, clean fruit and veg. Architecture can help a town look and work a bit better, but you need alot more to make a town live more. Bring in the gardeners, the cooks, the permaculture designers and landscapers. Architecture alone is just a way to spend money and build architects egos (what most of them seem to be about).

   Posted by 2lab on 06/11/2008 03:31:48

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2. We really enjoyed working on this project! The C4 coverage was a bit shallow and doesn't help people to understand how complicated things get with these types of project. I see a lot of people knocking the Council but without them most of this money would not have come to Castleford anyway. Not all of the projects work, but most do and perhaps what is more important than bricks and mortar is the attention this has brought to the town and how it has been such an interesting experience for people in the town. In twenty years of practice I have seen a few things, but the relationship developed with Rheta and co. at Cutsyke stands out as being special. Allan Smith & Julian Ellis of Wakefield Council were instrumental in making the Play Forest work out properly, so from our perspective the Council did their job perfectly well. The idea for the forest took all of 30 seconds, followed by two years of negotiation, design and construction and, (I would say this wouldn't I .....) the result is great. All we did was build what we would have wanted to play on as kids. My children still like to visit the Play Forest and I am really pleased that kids at Cutsyke still enjoy using it. I understand Sutcliffe Play never got mentioned (I missed programme 2, was on holiday), this is a shame because without their design and manufacturing talents there would not have been a Play Forest at all. If you get chance to visit the Play Forest at night do so, if the LED lights are still working you will see that the forest is not 'just' a playground but a beacon for the local community. Good luck to Cutske, I hope you are managing to get the rest of your projects built. Emma - we worked as sub consultants to Allen Tod, that is why Estell Warren was not mentioned. We have given up trying to raise the profile of 'landscape architecture', better to just get on with it and let the schemes do the talking.

   Posted by Steve Warren on 04/09/2008 10:50:52

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3. Dear Channel 4. I watched the Big Town Plan programme with anticipation. As a landscape architect with regeneration and design experience, I thought the project would be a great way to help raise the profile of our profession, which is responsible for leading so many similar projects across the country. I was interested in the debate sparked by the presentation of the Schwarz versus the community participation argument and thought it a realistic issue to show. However, I was severely dissappointed that Mcloud failed to mention landscape architecture, as a professional title once, choosing to use the woolier title of landscape designer. It was equally dissappointing that the designs of Cutsyke Play Forest were not even attributed to Estell Warren Landscape Architects in Leeds but to Alan Todd Architects, when it was clear from the graphics shown in the programme that the design was that of Estell Warren's. Overall, I think that it is great that regeneration and design is capturing public interest but I feel that Channel 4 failed to paint a realistic picture of the typical design team and the professions involved in acheiving it.

   Posted by Emma Oldroyd on 02/09/2008 18:45:53

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4. hi i think its great what you are doing with that town for the people and to get it back on track theres alot of places in england that need a revamp and if residents and councils can pull together we can sort these problems out. Keep up the good work and hope you do some more programmes like this as its so intresting im only 23 and i love this programme.

   Posted by laura on 02/09/2008 01:50:10

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5. This is an entertaining programme but it majors on regeneration through design. Great design is all well and good but time, enthusiasm and money needs to be ploughed into the the people who live there too. Look at the mess that resulted from the lack of community leaders/champions to advise Martha Schwartz.

   Posted by Steve Ing on 01/09/2008 13:21:38

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6. Typical Wakefield Council I'm afraid - no idea, spending £5m on a bridge but neglecting the market and shops area(which perhaps isn't a bad thing if you've seen Wakefield's new market). The people in charge are commenting on developments where they have no expertise other than year's service in the Authority and the look on Kevin's McClouds face last week was a gem. Now he knows how we feel! A good opportunity missed again by our lovely council. Wakefield and the 5 towns get left behind with shoddy money wasting ideas while Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster etc all move on with the times.

   Posted by H Smith on 29/08/2008 16:33:02

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7. I can't see this having much of an impact on the area- lovely as the bridge is, lets face it, the heart was ripped out of the area when the pits closed and a bit of cosmetic slap and a big shopping centre can't disguise the sordid Rivers Estate. Not that Castleford is going backward, having worked here for 8 years, it is definately coming forward, but like someone else pointed out, why not spend the cash knocking the grotty bits of Airedale and Ferrybridge down?

   Posted by Andy on 29/08/2008 00:02:06

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8. i have watched this program as it interests me as i lived there until december 1999. The park projects were good with the exception of the fryston project which seemed like a waste of funds. my grandfather was Jack Hulme photographer of the fryston area, he captured life in a mining colony and that has died now, the area is wasted and could have done with more building such as shops etc. a park seemed wasteful and unnattractive. I liked watching the town centre episode. I feel that they should have designed something similar to the big outdoor dome at freeport which would have covered the square from all weather, this would have been usefull for all sorts of entertainment and to cover market stalls.

   Posted by Dave Stringer on 28/08/2008 14:07:14

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9. Been watching the shows over the last 3 weeks and seems a total waste of money!! Lived in Castleford for 13 years overall. Surely we could have built a bridge for less? Where did all that money come from? Castleford is not a failing town. Why not spend the money on worse off town's than ours? I used to live in Featherstone on the Girnhill Lane Estate - now there's a place that needs help! Lived there for 3 years - of complete terror. Moved in Nov 2002 and found out 4 months later the council were gonna sell out to a developer as they couldn't afford to do the area up when there was only 4 houses in need of regeneration at the time! That's the council for you! Estate has gone to wrack and ruin whilst been sitting around waiting for the council to get moving. Lived under attack from arsonists who attacked the empty houses as people gave up the fight and moved on - including myself. Many people put their lives on hold. After 3 years - from an estate of 172 occupied houses there are less than 30 left. Why not spend money on helping these residents in their plight. They are holding out for a like for like house on the new estate whenever it is to be built - why should they be forced out of their homes?

   Posted by Nicola Belcher on 26/08/2008 12:21:15

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10. Great programme and great debates. But just seen the one about the market stalls and paving in the square - that was a bit brutal(and contentious) about the lack of Yorkshire craftsmen wasn't it?

    Posted by Jo Plimmer on 25/08/2008 23:39:54

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11. I have just watched the regeneration of the town centre in regards to resiting the market there and as an outsider to the area I was amazed that the existing brick paving, seats and trees were removed to be replaced with what appears to be a totally alien design. All that was required to improve the centre were the new market stalls, why on earth spend all that money on such a poor scheme which is completely at odds with the existing buildings? If it ain't broke, why fix it should have been the motto and thousands could have been saved.

    Posted by H.J. Crompton on 25/08/2008 22:49:52

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12. Well tonights episode just about sums up Wakefield Council. Big ideas on a shoestring. Always going for the cheapest option, be it The Big Plan to managing our area. There slogan "Wakefield Speaks" Aye but no-one's listening. The program is Patronising with a capital P. Why can't Kevin be honest and say what everybody else is. Don't involve the Council if you want to make Castleford better. Drive round Castleford and its cutbacks, cutbacks. All you hear is no resources to do this or that.

    Posted by Philip Begley on 25/08/2008 22:43:35

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13. I live in Castleford, and have seen very little worthwhile change. Is it finished yet? What is the point of starting a project like the 3rd programme (the Henry Moore square) when the finance was never available in the first place, because thats all it was, a lack of council commitment and money. What an absolute waste of everybody's time and effort. I ask the question again, when the money is not available in the first place what is the point to all of this so called project ? Thank you

    Posted by david brown on 25/08/2008 22:27:11

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14. Love the programme but find it so frustrating! In every case where the council have stepped in there was failure. The Martha Schartz design was a huge waste of money and guess who was involved...the council! The town centre and market stalls were destroyed by the council, what gives them a right to impose their own design agenda? Isnt their role meant to be representing the population? I understand that the council needs to ensure that any design is sustainable but they ripped the soul out of it.

    Posted by Glen on 25/08/2008 22:17:18

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15. You can see how the Council is getting it all wrong - they're forcing through innovative architecture in areas where there should be community projects and then losing their nerve in the town centre when they had the opportunity to create something impressive. Martha Scharz project should have been done in the town centre and they should have listened to the community.

    Posted by Gayle on 25/08/2008 22:12:27

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16. The regeneration of the town centre was a complete waste of time and money, which yet again was ruined by another council wanting a lot but only willing to spend a little.

    Posted by Nicky on 25/08/2008 22:00:20

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17. Good programme, (oh but please stop calling Castleford, a failing town!!) These projects are great steps forward, however it's always so easy to diss the local council and blame them all the time. They can't fix the wiping out of an areas industry overnight-the money just isn't there! It's everyones responsibility to regenerate the area, local businesses and individuals, health organisations, police and central government. Why would companies invest in Cas when the majority of the workforce havent got past a high school education (we have a multi-million pound college opening soon at Whitwood-fantastic!) and business landlords let their buildings go to rack and ruin? Its not all about the council-people need to see the bigger picture! As for red tape re the bit of land for £2k, we would all be moaning if as tax payers we were funding the purchase of a bit of private land for £20k. The landowner should be ashamed for the huge delays and waste of money!

    Posted by Helen on 21/08/2008 17:29:42

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18. I have now seen both episodes of "The Big Town Plan" and am utterly amazed that there are so few references to the positive aspects of Castleford. The rail and transport links to all local cities are second to none. The Xscape complex provides a range of bars and restaurants as well as children's activities. There are several new housing developments being built as well as many that have recently been completed and yet this program will probably make the houses harder to sell, in an already struggling market. This show appears to make the residents of Castleford look like people who don't have jobs therefore need something to occupy us whilst spending our benefit cheques. I have worked my entire adult life and although I commute to Leeds for a better job, I did the same when I lived in the much better respected town of Harrogate. I think the idea of regeneration to be a good one and I would have thought that the publicity of the TV program may have helped but I am yet to see this to be the case. Nothing about this program would make me want to visit Castleford if I didn't know for myself the program is a false representation of the town and the people. I took exceptional offence at the amazement displayed by Kevin at the vandalism of the parks. Whilst there is no excuse for this kind of behavior I very much doubt that this is a problem limited to Castleford. I sincerely hope that the remaining episodes show Castleford in a better light.

    Posted by Mary Sykes on 19/08/2008 13:32:16

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19. I watched the programme last, I found the Martha Schartz project reminiscent of a War memorial. The other 2 projects were good and well used by the public. In 1974 I had a report published by the National Playing Fields Association on Local Recreation Centres, it advocated the provision of Leisure, recreational and community facitlies for every residential neighbourhood. A neighbourhood was defined as an area of no more than 75 to 100 acres,, depending on housing density, so that all those living in the community were wihin easy walking distance of a comprehensive community centre, perhaps including; community centre, workshops, recreational facilities, medical practice, primary school, adventure playground, shops and post office. The report was very well received and is still highly relevant, given the problems we have today. In Switzerland this sort of concept has been operating for many years. Its no use building housing without the necessary back up community facilities, in order to meet political targets. This happened in the 60's with Harold Wilson, many of those estates have been demolished.

    Posted by Michael Dixey RIBA on 19/08/2008 09:44:01

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20. WOT ! A million pounds to revamp a village green ? and what a pigs ear of a place it now seems to be. Who paid the £1,000,000 for this in the first place ? and where did the money come from ? I know dammed well that given half a chance and a million pounds the 250 inhabitants of the village could have come up with a whole better end product than the one they have now got, and had about £900,000 left over , they may have even got something remotely usefull like a community centre out of it too ! Oh silly me, as though anything so sensible should happen when you get civil servants and a bunch outsiders involved. The poor residents deserve better than this, God bless them all for I fear they shall need it.

    Posted by janet jacobs on 19/08/2008 00:18:26

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21. Speechless at the audacity of Martha Schwartz who seems to forget her purpose is to serve the client - in this case the already hard pressed community. Where is the humanity and human scale to what she has produced? I am a garden designer and very upset that people will see this as an example of what designers do. My first, second and third rule is to listen to what my clients want. My job is to bring their dreams alive, to enrich their lives, to design a space that they feel drawn to use and reluctant to leave. How uplifting however to see people, especially children using the other two spaces where consultation had taken place so enthusiastically.

    Posted by Judith Ballantyne on 18/08/2008 23:35:01

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22. I have just watched the second episode of the big town plan i live in a small village called south kirkby, where the community are exactly the same as castleford a EX pit village which seems to have NO support from anywhere! We have been put on by a refuse company who will use our village as a dumping ground for un used crap!! This incinerator will lower the house prices but the maddning thing of all of this is that" CASTLEFORD " Didn't want it so we've ended up with it!. We have a waterpark in near by Hemsworth which people come and use from miles around well they do at the moment THEY WONT WHEN THIS SITE IS UP AND RUNNING!please help us as a community if only to stop the developers going ahead with there preposals.I look forward to recieving any views anyone has on this subject.

    Posted by LORRAINE POYNTER on 18/08/2008 23:15:19

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23. I have just watched the second programme of the series with interest as I live in what the council insists on calling 'New Fryston' but will always be known as Fryston Village to those in and around it. The ridiculous design of the village green complete with it's post modern Stone Henge in the corner was quite rightly questioned by Kevin McCloud and in recent meetings the local MP has admitted it was inappropriate and would possibly be changed. I cannot and do not claim to speak for others in the village but for myself it breaks my heart that the peaceful village I live in is being torn apart by the greed and insensitivity of English Partnerships and the local council. They are building houses but no infrastructure, even the single road that leads into the village isn't suitable for heavy traffic but all this seems secondary to the desire to build what I dare say will be mass produced and profitable town houses - totally out of keeping with the existing homes and destined to make our houses appear sad and old and tatty. Am I a NIMBY ? - Not in my Back Yard? Am I stuck in the past? I just feel that there are more appropriate places to build these homes where there are schools and shops and roads to service the people. Will anyone listen? I strongly suspect not and it will be those of us in the old houses in the village as one of the locals said in the programme "who were in a win win situation but still managed to lose".

    Posted by K Rushton on 18/08/2008 23:14:17

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24. It is unfortunate that only the negative aspects are shown on TV. There really is alot of positives in and around Castleford that are totally forgotton about. But that would not make good TV would it.

    Posted by DAVID BROWN on 18/08/2008 22:35:55

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25. Thank God the residents of Lock Lane now have a safe way to access the town centre. Walking on the old bridge and past the petrol station was a nightmare and not long ago somebody was knocked down there. I do have concerns however. Just walk past the bridge entrance on Mill Lane side and try walking along the riverside path infront of the new houses. That corner is very overgrown and the path has disappeard on that corner.Walk further along and just after the new houses you come to the allotments....what a mess. I only hope that the area around the bridge isn't left like everything else has been. Just carry on walking past the allotments to the area directly behind the rugby field....what was once a lovely seated area is now a jungle and the seats are lost in the long weeds and grass. Money is spent on regeneration but it is such a waste if the upkeep isn't maintained.

    Posted by T McCubbin on 18/08/2008 22:20:39

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26. I've lived in mainly in Harrogate and Milton Keynes and in October 2007 moved to Normanton. Harrogate is a nice looking place with less derelect buildings compared with Castleford & Normy. milton Keynes has some nice places & lakes too. It makes me sad to see run down and dogy buildings and the fact the unions and government didn't bring in new trade whilst closing the pits. They did not have a long term plan to retrain people for new technologies and give young people something to aim for. These new plans for change is only the start - it needs vision from all people older ones in charge to release the finance, young people to be encouraged to have ideas. A will to clean up the place. Milton Keynes have spent many millions and Cas will need cash investment for at least a constant ten years. We know Harrogate is a spa visitors town therefore it's kept clean (flowers and such), But maybe the coucil could support those retired gardeners who would enjoy planting hanging flower baskets, raised beds etc and other ideas to clean up the place a bit. We know it's not a perfect world and it all cost money legal aspects but just a bit more pride in the tidyness of Cas and Normy. posted by mike smith

    Posted by MIKE SMITH on 18/08/2008 12:50:15

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27. As someone active in the communities of the town I believe the first programme is spot on. Castleford is a town that had grown in the industrial revolution from a tiny village but in the eighties saw most of those industries, not just the coal mines, go. Nervetheless, it has produced people like Alison, Wendy and Rheta who passionately want to make an improvement to their town, who believe the residents of the place deserve to have a better life without having to lose their roots.

    Posted by Anthony Wallis on 12/08/2008 22:02:44

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28. What a great idea for a programme, real people. genuine issues with very honest opinion. I really looked forwards to this but had to stop watching as it was so heavily critical of local agencies intransigence and failed to present the full 'back story' to many issues. I realise time is limited and allfacts cannot be explained but this was appaling. The worst example being the difference between the 'offer' to buy land and the view of the owner property developer. I turned off. Great idea, I hope it works for the town but iti spoorly presented and dramatically biased to produce a story Regards Neil J

    Posted by Neil J on 12/08/2008 20:59:00

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29. I was born in Castleford and lived there until i left home in 2003. it thrills me to see that the town i hold so dear to my heart is having the regeneration it deserves.

    Posted by Claire Cummins on 12/08/2008 15:34:23

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30. I was born in Castleford, and moved to nearby Pontefract when I was a child, then later left the area totally. I loved last nights show. Typical that a multi-million pound project was held up for months/years by beaurocratic red-tape - I mean arguing over £2,000 for a piece of land !!!! I have not visited the heart of Cas for years, yet have very happy memories of my childhood there, shopping in the market with my grandma, and visiting the local museum to see the Roman artifacts. Looking forward to making a special trip there soon to see the bridge etc, and to next weeks programme. Great to see that the tough northern attitude is given its true value - those 2 women made me so proud of my heritage. Also, I hope it showed people what a devastating effect Thatchers attack on the mines had - not only ultimately closing down the mines, but killing a town who have two thousand years of history to its name.

    Posted by mkb on 12/08/2008 13:53:31

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31. Ive not had experience personally of castleford. But i live in Dewsbury not so far away a town that has similary gone down the pan and is perhaps worse than Castleford. From my own experience a lot of the problems stem from inept and inactive local government and Landlords more interested in trying to ring out as much money as possible of out local businesses in the short term, than having a long term perspective. The effect in this town being due to a couple of bad landlords, one in particular. Businesses have gone domino fashion, resulting in a very empty town centre, high unemployment, those that are skilled are relocating away from the town, more a case of a town that isnt failing, more a case of its failed. To give you an example southwell a town in nottinghamshire, landlords there work together for the good of the town, views there are long term, rent is controlled to ensure viability of businesses and so there isnt an reduction in businesses trading, there arent empty premises and the town is thriving and a pleasant place to be. The opposite of many similar small towns in West Yorkshire. Whilst this program is a nice idea, if the towns anything like Dewsbury, itll all probably never happen. Nice program, nice idea. But in west yorkshire, wouldnt hold your breath.

    Posted by phil parkinson on 11/08/2008 21:21:43

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32. Dear Sir, Your article mentions the Roman remains but not the fact that Legiolium (Caslteford) was a Roman city sixteen miles from Danum (Doncaster) and twenty miles to Eboracum (York). I still treasure my copy of the book by Lorenzo Padgett from which this reference is extracted. Our first house was given the name Legiolium when we became missionaries in rural Leicestershire before moving to the South Lakes via Barnsley. Congratulations on all the improvements to the town of our birth. regards George

    Posted by G.H.Wright on 11/08/2008 17:58:00

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