WTA Education Services

Connecting Local to Global

 

Purpose

This project was an exploration of the local community’s views concerning possible uses and development of the Kingswood site in Hull. The consideration of planning suggestions was catalysed by young people being mentored and trained as researchers, using the recognised technique of action competence.

The method involved a facilitator helping local young people to undertake credible community research. The project format allowed the research teams from a secondary school, working with the local primary school, to suggest positives and negatives about the area. They ranked local development priorities, using those already listed in the questionnaire published as part of a wider community consultation.

Achievements

The outputs have had not only have practical application in the formation of an Area Action Plan (AAP), but have also provided ideas concerning how current aspirations for the site might be achieved for all stakeholders. The process was designed to provide opportunities for other agencies to work in partnership as the competency and understanding of the young people involved improved, culminating in a final conference hosted by Hull City Council at the Guildhall, where the young people presented their findings, which were discussed by key members of the planning department and Council.

The project was reported in the United Nations Environment Programme’s Tunza Magazine in 2012 (issue 9.4 page 6).

Kingswood Area Development Consultation

Young people from Kingswood College & Broadacre Primary School

Barton Willmore & Hull City Council

Scenes from the conference at Hull Guildhall, where students from Kingswood College presented their views to local councillors and the Planning department.

Summary by Alex Codd, Hull City Council City Planning Manager

The output from the closing conference was summarised as:

· Really helpful in terms of taking the plan forward – with young people shaping the plan.

· What’s come out from the voting process is that "affordable housing" is top, even though it wasn't mentioned in detail in group discussions, but is a clear winner on the voting boards.

· The Council are already in the process of setting up a policy of 15% housing being affordable on developments, so this need is already being recognised and acted upon.

· Local shops: the red area on the map is going to be a local centre – which could respond to a lot of the points raised about the need for small convenience shops.

· Link roads: a key issue that there’s a project currently going through to ensure there’s a link road to connect the red area to Kesteven Way.

· The 3 key areas identified by the young people are already being addressed by HCC.

· Found the experience very positive; the HCC plan will take on board as many of their comments as possible.

· The young people should be very proud of their efforts, especially as it is going to be reported on in the United Nations Environment Programme's "Tunza" Magazine, as well as taken forward in the future.

To contact us:

Telephone: +44 (0)1223 208718 or +44 (0)7952 824467

Email: web@wtaeducationservices.com

 

 

 

Website updated October 2014.

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