Pie Poudre

We are working at the detail of the Hawkins Street planning proposal. Last week the Evening Post asked us for comments that were prepared by our Chairman Paul Bradburn. 20^th January 2012

“The Hawkins Street site is a hugely important development for Old Market therefore the Old Market Community Association is keen to see that any application is of high quality and has the potential to be a great asset for both the developer and the community alike.

Upon first appraisal the submitted drawings go a long way towards delivering that goal and we applaud the architect for reusing many of the existing buildings that are an important historical reference to the industrial past of the area. The scheme shows a good reference to the architectural diversity that exists in Old Market with a mix of styles, materials and elevations.

We believe that what looks like being a good scheme at the moment, could with a few design changes, be a top level design that would raise the bar for other developers to aspire to.

Old Market is in desperate need of more family orientated living spaces. We would like to see more provision for 3 and 4 bedroom dwellings within the proposal and a better mix of affordable housing provision.

We also think that, considering how many people will be living here, there is not enough access to an open green communal space. The developers also own the Post and Press building which has a tract of under-used garden space next to Hawkins Street. This would present an ideal opportunity to integrate this space with the proposed development and create an open area for this new community to enjoy. We are looking at the long term sustainability of any new proposals, it has been proven that access to communal green spaces are a great benefit to health and the wellbeing of people who use them.

We would also love to see provision made for some live-work spaces within the proposal. The site was originally industrial and it makes total sense to regenerate some work spaces or enterprise workshops that bring a better mixed use and vibrancy to the area.

It would also be good to see some stronger architectural pieces within the proposal. The corner of Unity Street and Hawkins Street would benefit greatly from having a building that mirrors the scale and presence of some of the Gardiner Haskins buildings. A statement building, that would create a much more impressive gateway into the development.

If the developers and their architects would take on board these constructive suggestions we believe that this would achieve a very high quality development. That, backed by the planning officers making sure that the scheme is delivered as per the design drawings would create a valuable future legacy for Old Market.

The owners of the site have been based in Old Market for many decades. The area and its community have provided well for them. We can only hope that they will see fit to do the best they can for a community that deserves the best it can get.”