The Project …

To look at the many complex underlying issues on the estate which include the physical infrastructure (parking, road surfacing, green spaces and maintenance), as well as the social issues such as health, fuel poverty, education and employment.

The aim is to support the development of community assets like the Hurst Farm Community Centre, the School (Castle View), and the Hurst Farm Social Club, and the creation of more local employment and training opportunities.  It is envisioned that the resulting strategic plan and data will allow for future development to be more co-ordinated and will provide the evidence needed to apply for additional pots of funding to support the implementation of the strategy.

How it was delivered …

Derbyshire Dales District Council, through its Estate Regeneration Manager Marie-Christine Schmidt, together with the Hurst Farm Steering Group and the Friends of Hurst Farm wished to deliver a two phase programme of community engagement which would lead to the development of a Regeneration Strategy and Master Plan for the Hurst Farm Estate and a range of projects.

Everyone involved was keen that, through the engagement process, the community was up-skilled, became more confident, and could take ownership of the process and the outcomes.

The engagement process was to be delivered over two phases:

• Phase 1 – To engage the community, gather views and report on the information gathered
• Phase 2 – To consult on the draft regeneration strategy and master plan and develop projects.

The Planning for Real Unit was involved in the delivery of Phase 1 working alongside a locally based organisation called Hecate Arts.  Phase 2 would be delivered “in house” by Marie-Christine Schmidt of the Council.

Early activities were around raising awareness, identifying local residents keen to support the delivery of the process, and networking with local organisations.  Training in the Planning for Real process was delivered by the Unit to a mixture of local residents, Council Officers, and Agency staff.

The children at the Castle View Primary School helped to create the 3D contoured model which would be used at all of the events with the Unit also designing bespoke consultation materials including demographics pin boards; option cards; blank “bunting” onto which residents could tell us what they liked about Hurst Farm; and a Tree of Hope with blank paper apples and leaves onto which residents could write their hopes for the future of Hurst Farm.

Hecate Arts undertook local contact work, raising awareness, organisation and promotion of a series of 5 consultation events which, where possible, included other activities to attract and encourage participation.

The outcomes from the consultation events showed us that residents were most concerned about Community Safety issues; the Environment; and Leisure and Recreation facilities and provision.  These 3 topics generated 60% of all of the comments placed on the model.

Follow up Workshops were held which were attended by local residents, Officers representing various Departments within the Council, and representatives of local Agencies.  These Workshops enabled residents to identify their priorities and to work with Officers and Agency representatives to develop a Plan of Action.

All of the information generated has been used by Marie-Christine, working with members of the Hurst Farm Steering Group and the Friends of Hurst Farm to develop a Vision for Hurst Farm showing a range of enhancements and projects which she has presented back to the community.

The emerging Vision has been created through working in partnership and focussing on what is important to residents.  Together an ambitious Vision has been created for Hurst Farm that it is hoped to be able to roll out over the coming years as funding becomes available.

New approaches will be taken to tackling long standing issues, whilst developing the community’s capacity to manage its own community assets, create prosperity for local people, and take control of its future ensuring that Hurst Farm is a place where the community thrive.

What has happened since the Planning for Real process and the development of the Vision

• Strong partnership working and collaboration with Community Organisations and residents has resulted in successful funding bids and projects begun.
• Refurbishment of the Spider Park Play Area, including the creation of a natural woodland play area, has been possible with a grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
• The establishment of a Forest School supporting nature based learning.
• The Hurst Farm Heritage Trail has been created with funding from the National Lottery which has enabled existing footpaths to be improved around the Hurst Farm Woodland connecting four Heritage Sites.
• A Community Development Manager has been appointed to help run the Hurst Farm Community Centre and to support residents and volunteers to develop projects, activities and business ideas.
• The Community Centre is now open regularly to provide access to information, computers and wifi.
• With a Derbyshire County Council Action Grant the Friends of Hurst Farm community group have set up a Stay & Play Group.
• Refurbishment of the Hurst Farm Social Club has been gathering momentum with planning permission granted in February 2020 for plans to create a modern venue and community hub to serve Hurst Farm and wider Matlock. Fund raising for the £540k needed is on going with £100k secured from Sport England.
• A CCTV camera has been installed at Spider Park to address anti-social behaviour and drug taking / dealing issues.

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