THE OFFICIAL REGENERATION MAGAZINE OF PETERBOROUGH
DISCOVER PETERBOROUGH’S EASTERN PROMISE: gUK ENVIRONMENT CAPITAL g17,300 JOBS g21,200 HOMES gA NEW TOWNSHIP g£300 MILLION NEW RETAIL CENTRE g£500 MILLION STATION QUARTER gUK’S BEST LOCATION FOR BUSINESS gA THRIVING RIVERSIDE DESTINATION gNEW DISTRICT CENTRES gNEW SCHOOLS, COMMUNITY FACILITIES AND A HOSPITAL
www.vibepb.com
2006/01
Welcome. Peterborough is one of the UK’s most vibrant and promising cities.We have strong ambitions to make the city bigger and better through a range of growth and development opportunities. Our city occupies an enviable location, boasts excellent transport links and offers a wonderful quality of life. Together with our partners at the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and English Partnerships, the city council has developed a blueprint for the city centre with a host of exciting projects designed to improve our business, retail and leisure offering and to complement our existing strengths – of which more can be read on pages 10 to 15. One of the projects included in this blueprint is the £300 million North Westgate and Queensgate scheme which will see the existing shopping centre transformed and the creation of a brand new retail and leisure district. This will be integrated with a £500 million station quarter redevelopment offering fantastic office space and city centre homes. The charms of our waterfront will be maximised by the high quality mixed-use development on the South Bank overlooking Peterborough Cathedral, and a new residential development in the city’s Fengate area will bring with it the potential for a new 250-berth marina. For more on all of our plans see pages 22 to 35. We want to make life better for the people of Peterborough – not just those who will be attracted to our city over the coming years but also those who are already here. The formation of our urban regeneration company, Opportunity Peterborough, last year will help us achieve this goal. You can read about the chairman, Lord Brian Mawhinney’s vision for change on pages 18 to 21. But Peterborough is more than a city centre and there are plenty of plans for development in other areas too. A new mixed-use township of more than 7,500 homes - the largest privately owned development in Europe is already being built at Hampton. Retail and residential schemes in Orton and Bretton will enhance these existing communities, as described on pages 36 to 43. Above all, growth in Peterborough is about growing the “right way”. This means looking at the whole picture and making life better for our communities. As well as the city’s business credentials (pages 44 to 47), pivotal to this growth is our environmental status – read more about this in City Issues (pages 52 to 57). Gillian Beasley, chief executive, Peterborough City Council
Vibe magazine is published on behalf of Peterborough City Council and Opportunity Peterborough to chart the city’s growth journey. To receive copies and let us know what you think of issue one, please visit www.vibepb.com.
Welcome
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Northgate, Chester
Investing in Peterborough ING Real Estate is one of the world’s largest property companies, and has a proven track record of delivering complex and high quality development schemes. The company’s position as a global market leader, coupled with the financial strength of the ING Group, enables it to undertake projects of all sizes, assemble worldclass professional teams and deliver the highest quality developments.
PalaceXchange, Enfield
Midsummer Place, Milton Keynes
ING Real Estate Development UK delivers large-scale mixed-use regeneration projects throughout the UK. It has a successful track record having completed Midsummer Place shopping centre in Milton Keynes; apartments, new shops, restaurants and bars linked to the quayside in Canary Wharf; luxury apartments in Paddington and Dalton Park shopping outlet centre in County Durham. The company has achieved remarkable progress across its major groundbreaking projects including sustainable residential regeneration schemes in Ancoats in Manchester, Bo’ness town centre and foreshore in Falkirk, Hayle Harbour in Cornwall and the £290 million Frank Gehry designed leisure and residential scheme on Brighton & Hove seafront. The company is also developing a number of significant mixed-use city and town centre regeneration schemes in Chester, Hull, Stevenage, Enfield and now in Peterborough.
St Stephen’s, Hull
In partnership with Network Rail, ING Real Estate looks forward to working closely with Peterborough City Council, Opportunity Peterborough and the local community to revitalise the area around Peterborough railway station with a mixed-use scheme of several hundred thousand square feet of new development. Network Rail and ING Real Estate are committed to several key deliverables for Peterborough, including: • new station facilities on the east and west side of the rail tracks • a minimum of 1,500 additional commuter car parking spaces • potentially a new pedestrian bridge link connecting the city centre and the west side of the rail tracks. Once completed the multi-million pound scheme will aim to enhance the town’s existing offer, reinforcing Peterborough’s reputation as a vibrant, contemporary centre for living, working and playing, as well as vastly improving the connectivity between the town centre, the rail station and beyond. www.ingrealestate.com
Editor Julie Mackintosh julie@3foxinternational.com Head of Sales George Haynes george@3foxinternational.com Designer Faine Gow faine@3foxinternational.com Managing Director Toby Fox toby@3foxinternational.com Production Manager Lucy Morris lucy@3foxinternational.com Printed by Trade Winds Ltd Images Peterborough City Council, Opportunity Peterborough, Hammerson, Knight Frank, David Lock Associates, Laura Ashley, T2 Studios Ltd Published by 3Fox International Limited 3rd Floor Lansdowne House 3-7 Northcote Road London SW11 1NG T: 020 7978 6840 F: 020 7978 6837 For Peterborough City Council Caroline Parsons, Head of Communications
caroline.parsons@peterborough.gov.uk
Contents. 06 Advertisement Feature: Land Securities
09 Bitesize: New and coming soon... 10 Peterborough: Full of Eastern Promise With a fantastic location, ambitious regeneration plans and a new URC, Peterborough is looking to fulfil its longheld potential.
16 Advertisement Feature: O&H Hampton
18 The URC: A Big Opportunity in Peterborough Ex-cabinet minister Lord Brian Mawhinney is heading URC Opportunity Peterborough. He shares his vision for the future.
22 Project Peterborough: Time for Change Introducing the schemes that will transform the city.
36 A Greater Peterborough: Beyond the City Centre It's not just the city centre that is experiencing change. We take a look at exciting work in Hampton, Orton and Bretton.
44 Business Case: Come to Peterborough Subscriptions and Feedback To register for free subscriptions and/or to offer your comments visit www.VIBEPB.com © 3Fox International Limited 2006 All material is strictly copyright and all rights are reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the written permission of 3Fox International Limited is strictly forbidden. The greatest care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of information in this magazine at time of going to press, but we accept no responsibility for omissions or errors. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of 3Fox International Limited, Peterborough City Council or Opportunity Peterborough.
Contents
The city’s business base, its ambitions for the future and charity Deafblind UK on why Peterborough is a great place for its headquarters.
48 Advertisement Feature: David Lock Associates
50 Retail Case: Investors eye attractive opportunities.
Advertisers
02 Nene Housing 04 ING Real Estate 08 Connells 20 Minster HA 26 English Partnerships 28 Dickens Watts & Dade 32 Atkins 34 Cross Keys Homes 40 Keegans 42 Barker Storey Matthews 46 Prologis 54 Carter Jonas 56 Peterborough City Council/ Opportunity Peterborough 59 Smye Holland Associates Back Cover: GVA Grimley
Peterborough has 1.1 million potential shoppers and, with exciting retail plans ahead, it intends to capture all of them.
52 City Issues: Seen to be Green As an “environment city”, Peterborough is leading the way on green issues.
58 Peterborough Perks: Country Life
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making
Peterborough’s regeneration happen
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L a n d S e c u r i t i e s will be investing £42 million building two new superstores to relocate retailers B&Q and Matalan from Peterborough’s South Bank area, freeing up land for regeneration later this year.
www.landsecurities.com
South Bank is central to Peterborough City Council’s regeneration vision. It will be transformed into an urban village as part of a 13 hectare mixed-use riverside project. The scheme will provide a big boost to the city centre’s economy as well as
relaxing the pressure for further development of greenfield sites at the edge of the city and beyond. South Bank is currently home to a B&Q DIY Superstore and a Matalan Retail Warehouse, on Station Road. To find a new home for its tenants,
Land Securities worked closely with the Council to develop a site on Maskew Avenue next to the existing Boulevard Retail Park. Construction will begin in September 2006 with completion expected in just under a year. Both
retailers will benefit from bigger stores. The B&Q unit comprises 104,400 square feet (9,703 square metres) of gross floor space plus a builder’s yard and a garden centre. Matalan’s store will be 40,000 square feet (3,717 square metres).
Land Securities is proud to make this investment, not only facilitating Peterborough’s ambitious regeneration programme, but also providing state-of-the-art units for top-quality retailers and creating an estimated 170 additional local jobs.
Bitesize: New and coming soon... Sponsor of Vibe – Peterborough’s official regeneration magazine
When it comes to land development…
Connells provides a market-leading, cost-effective approach.
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We help maximise both public and private sectors clients’ main asset…their land.
Peterborough City Council is embarking on a series of feasibility studies relating to the construction of a regional sports centre at The Embankment.
For many years, Connells has enjoyed a reputation of unrivalled expertise in all aspects of land development.
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With regeneration and housing policy being focused on as a high priority in the political arena, it makes sound commercial sense to use a company that can deliver a full range of land development services.
A development partner(s) could be selected for the 13 hectare, mixed-use South Bank project by 2007. The refurbishment and extension of retail facilities at the Bretton Centre will be finished this summer. Allison Homes expects to begin first sales on 550 new homes at the Fengate development by the end of the year. The scheme should be completed by May 2007.
Connells’ core areas of expertise are: I development viability appraisals I land acquisitions I land disposals I market research I a complete one-stop-shop from identification to disposal I mixed-use
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Developer O&H Hampton is about to complete construction of the 2,000th home at its Hampton township. The new mixed-use area will eventually have 18,000 residents. Following the opening of Hampton College last September, two new schools Voyager School and Thomas Deacon Academy will open their doors in Autumn 2007.
Connells is keen to hear from landowners and businesses regarding: I Brownfield land I commercial property within a residential area I home-owners with large gardens I housing sites as identified in the Local Plan
Please contact Matthew Oliver, Land Manager on 01733 892849 or email matthew.oliver@connells.co.uk
Peterborough City Council and partners Hammerson and Morley Fund Management signed a £300 million development agreement in February for the creation of North Westgate - a 60,000 square metre retail-led scheme - and the refurbishment of the existing Queensgate shopping centre. A planning application will be submitted later this year.
The Orton Centre, which will contain 17,500 metres of revamped retail space and 94 residential apartments, should be complete by Summer 2007.
1. Queensgate shopping centre. 2. Construction in Hampton is ongoing. 3. Kier Residental’s Twigden and Allison Homes, Peterborough.
Bitesize
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Peterborough: Full of Eastern Promise. With its enviable location, excellent transport links, high quality of life, beautiful surrounding countryside and exciting multi-billion pound regeneration plans, Peterborough is a great place to live, work and invest.
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“Peterborough is now firmly on the map as an integral part of the M11 growth corridor. The city serves a wide rural area and is poised to realise the untapped potential in this sub-region through our aspiration for substantial growth and sustainable development,” says Malcolm Burch, assistant chief executive at the city council. “The city has significant opportunity for growth. Our intention is to release this potential and accelerate our plans. The main challenge for us now is to share the benefits of this growth to bring about a new and improved social, economic and environmental infrastructure.”
The city is something of a surprise – probably bigger and more successful than you would imagine. Almost 160,000 people live in Peterborough and many more travel in to work. In fact, the number of people commuting into the Peterborough area is more than double those who commute out. National statistics show that crime is falling in this cosmopolitan city. Peterborough is at the beginning of a tremendously exciting and momentous regeneration and growth journey that will change the city and the way in which it is perceived. In 2004, Peterborough City Council, the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) and English Partnerships developed the City Centre Framework, which focused on improving housing, leisure, retail, community facilities and business opportunities. Last year, the city’s urban regeneration company (URC) Opportunity Peterborough was established to turn these plans into reality.
Peterborough: Full of Eastern Promise
Malcolm Burch continues: “With our partners, we are now moving towards delivery on a number of large projects across the city in health, schools, housing, leisure and retail.” This view is endorsed by Lord Brian Mawhinney, chairman of Opportunity Peterborough – the first “growth” URC in the country. “Peterborough doesn’t need to be regenerated, it needs to be refreshed,” says Lord Mawhinney, who was a local MP for 26 years. “This is a holistic plan looking at how we bring in homes and jobs, and also how we deliver the physical and social infrastructure to support them.” For more detailed information about the regeneration plans of Opportunity Peterborough, see pages 18 to 21. Opportunity Peterborough and the city council want to create at least 17,300 jobs and 21,200 new homes by 2020, attracting over 40,000 additional residents to the city. This is a vision that Lord Brian Mawhinney and the Opportunity Peterborough team fully embrace.
The City Centre Framework identifies a number of projects, now at various stages of development (detailed in full on pages 22 to 35), which will transform Peterborough.
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“Cities are judged – in the main – by their heart. The middle reflects the whole so it needs to be vibrant,” says Malcolm Burch. “Peterborough already has an attractive centre, especially its Norman cathedral and pedestrianised shopping centre. Our challenge now is to build on these advantages and extend the use of the city centre as a place to live, work and visit at all times of the day.” Development is not restricted to the city centre but extends across Peterborough’s four townships and neighbouring villages. New social facilities play a major part in the plan. “We are developing a common vision for everyone in the city, both existing and future residents,” says Gillian Beasley, the city council’s chief executive. “Regeneration is about improving people’s quality of life and enabling everyone to move towards a more prosperous future.”
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Peterborough is 78 miles and 50 minutes from London. Its location, at the centre of eastern England is one of the city’s natural strengths. Road connections via the M1, A1 and A14 allow easy access to the capital, the Midlands and the east coast ports. As an inter-city rail hub, Peterborough links with York, Leeds, Newcastle and Edinburgh, while there are also direct regional links with Norwich, Ipswich, Cambridge, Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool. Meanwhile, some of England’s prettiest villages lie within a few miles of the city, meaning that a break to the countryside is within easy reach.g
1. Peterborough Cathedral towers majestically above the city centre. 2. Plans for North Westgate. 3. Burleigh House.
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There has been significant growth in the number of successful business parks around the city in the last few years and part of the planned station quarter development is for prestigious city centre offices. Peterborough is already strong in sectors such as food services, publishing, construction, logistics and manufacturing; it is also a thriving centre for environmental businesses, with over 250 organisations employing more than 4,500 people making possibly the only cluster of its kind in the UK. The city is building on these strengths as well as focusing on emerging sectors such as health and education. And the high quality business accommodation is competitive. Businesses can expect to make enormous savings against London and the rest of the south east. Prime office rents are around 85 per cent less than rents in London’s West End. Labour costs are also competitive and local businesses are in an excellent position to benefit from the changes to Peterborough’s economy that growth will generate.
Geography is just one factor that makes Peterborough the perfect business destination. Uniquely, there is also local political will to realise real change. With the powerful force of Lord Brian Mawhinney behind it, and in full partnership with the council, Opportunity Peterborough is setting out to raise the city’s profile and creating the right environment to allow businesses to flourish.
Living is great value too. Homes in the city are relatively affordable. The average house price is around £139,000, compared to £205,000 in East Cambridgeshire and £240,000 in South Cambridgeshire. Peterborough offers a good range of accommodation which is set to increase with the forthcoming residential developments at Hampton, Stanground, the South Bank and Fengate.
Peterborough was named an environment city in 1992, one of only four in the UK. The 50 mile Green Wheel cycle network links Peterborough with surrounding villages and market towns. Around 800 hectares of parkland alongside the River Nene bring the countryside into the city centre and the nearby 200 hectare Ferry Meadows country park offers a wide range of recreational facilities. More family fun can be found at the Hampton Nature Reserve, which is home to a colony of protected Great Crested Newts and landscape artworks. Schools are improving – educational attainment is rising faster than anywhere else in the country and a substantial improvement programme is under way. Hampton College opened last September part-funded and constructed by developer O&H Hampton. It offers 1,200 students state-of-theart facilities including an amphitheatre and specialist music tuition. Another two secondary schools, the Voyager and the Foster-designed Thomas Deacon Academy, are expected to open in September 2007. Specialist firm IIC Bougyues Education has been appointed under a private finance initiative to design, build and provide facilities management services for Voyager School over the next 30 years. The company is also refurbishing Jack Hunt and Ken Stimpson schools, as part of a £43 million package to deliver the first phase of the transformation of secondary education in Peterborough. Peterborough Hospitals NHS Trust is investing £300 million to expand existing hospital facilities, increase the number of
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healthcare specialists, introduce new health clinics and improve patient care. Progress Health has been selected to build a new acute hospital, mental health unit and integrated care centre. The latter will be built on the site of the current Peterborough District Hospital and is set to open in 2008. The new mental health unit and hospital, both located in Bretton, are expected to be completed by 2008 and 2010 respectively. Peterborough truly is taking a holistic approach to regeneration. From commercial, retail and residential schemes to cultural, leisure and social improvements, the city is fast establishing itself as a national force to be reckoned with.g
1. Peterborough’s links to the UK and Europe. 2. The Thomas Deacon Academy will open in September 2007.
Peterborough: Full of Eastern Promise
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Let’s work together English Partnerships and the East of England Development Agency (EEDA) are working with the city council and Opportunity Peterborough to realise Peterborough’s growth ambitions.
Richard Harrington is English Partnerships area director for the east of England: Q. Are you pleased with progress of the City Centre Framework since its agreement in 2004? A. There has been a lot of progress, which is probably best illustrated by the incorporation of Opportunity Peterborough as a growth and regeneration vehicle for the city. We are beginning to see significant planning proposals coming through, but regenerating cities is not a quick fix affair. Proposals and projects tend to have a long lead time where thorough preparation work pays dividends. Q. Peterborough is often described as having lots of “untapped potential”. Why do you think this hasn’t been realised to date and which aspect is the most exciting? A. Peterborough is not alone in requiring a bit more focus to tap into a rich seam of growth but perhaps the reference to
untapped potential is that many feel it is in reach with the right sort of approach. The most exciting aspect for me would be tapping into the wonderful waterfront to ensure that this feature is maximised for residents and visitors alike.
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Q. English Partnerships is working closely with the Council and EEDA. How important has this collaborative approach been? A. You can look to other cities, particularly Manchester, Sheffield and Liverpool, to see how effective the regeneration company model is in promoting regeneration. In a way, the award of regeneration company status is recognition of how strong our relationship is with both the council and EEDA, and testament to the fact that we share the same long term goals in relation to regeneration and sustainable community growth. Q. Can Peterborough become the regional centre for the east of England? A. Play to your strengths and anything is possible.
David Marlow is chief executive of the East of England Development Agency (EEDA). Q. What are the most challenging aspects of Peterborough’s regeneration programme? A. There are pockets of deprivation in the area which could benefit from the considerable additional investment that the regeneration of the city centre will bring. This will involve linking some of EEDA’s programmes such as Investing in Communities – which aims to deal with social exclusion and deprivation – and initiatives on skills and training support to the new opportunities which will flow from Opportunity Peterborough’s work. 2.
Q. Do you have a favourite scheme among the projects planned as part of the regeneration? A. There are a number of schemes which are making a major impact on the physical appearance and social cohesion of the city, truly changing people’s lives. The South Bank scheme, which comprises the
redevelopment of a 13 hectare brownfield site to the south of the River Nene and city centre, is an excellent example of a project which will transform Peterborough. The land is currently a hotchpotch of retail, commercial and industrial developments along with redundant railway land, but South Bank is proposed to become a vibrant new mixed-use community.
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Q. What do you think will be the most important milestone reached in 2006? A. Now Opportunity Peterborough is established, it’s important we start to deliver on our plans. This will involve all the partners supporting the organisation’s activities so at the end of the year we can see the difference which we have all made. Q. How would you describe the city? A. Peterborough is a city ready for growth and is set to be an important piece of the jigsaw which makes up the east of England. It has a powerful geographic position and along with other regional cities will be an urban centre to drive forward sustainable economic development.●
1. Richard Harrington of English Partnerships. 2. Peterborough’s Guildhall in Cathedral square. 3. David Marlow of EEDA.
Peterborough: Full of Eastern Promise
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The URC: A Big Opportunity in Peterborough. For proof that urban regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough means business, look no further than its choice of chairman, Brian Mawhinney.
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is working in partnership with the city council. The council’s chief executive Gillian Beasley and I have decided that the most effective way is to work together,” he says. Though, as Gillian Beasley points out, Lord Mawhinney's standing and experience will be invaluable in what both term the “partnership and persuasion” of the Opportunity Peterborough-led development process. Revealing a glimpse of his famous determination, Lord Mawhinney says: “I am an outcomes person. I have limited patience with churning paper and all that kind of stuff. Change has to be affected, that's the agenda and we'll get on and affect change.”
Or Lord Brian Mawhinney of Peterborough as he has been known since his accession to the House of Lords last July. The former government frontbencher has a reputation for being a man who means business. He also represented Peterborough and, latterly, North West Cambridgeshire in parliament for 26 years, until May 2005 when he retired as MP. On top of all this he is also chairman of the Football League. Despite these impressive credentials, Lord Mawhinney is adamant this isn't a one-man show. “Opportunity Peterborough
It will certainly take the combined experience of Lord Mawhinney's team and their counterparts at the council to drive the ambitious agenda 2. forward. Opportunity Peterborough is a trailblazer. As Lord Mawhinney puts it: “We're getting to write the book on growth. We'll be setting the parameters and people will say 'boy didn't they do well' or 'didn't they make a mess of that' - we don't recognise the second option.”
Of the next 12 months, he says: “There has been an enormous amount of talk about change in the city. We are now in the business of being sensible and steely and making sure that the mechanisms for delivery are in place.”
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Gillian Beasley says that as well as the complex preparatory work on the station quarter, the retail-led North Westgate and Queensgate projects, and the South Bank mixed-use schemes, completion of the “Business Case for Growth” study in the next year will be the major milestone in Peterborough's development programme. This business case will articulate the city's strategy for achieving holistic, sustainable change. It will include the framework already in place for the city centre. It is also likely to address regeneration in the outlying areas such as Orton and Bretton, among others - see pages 36 to 43.
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But really it's about the bigger picture: how social and economic improvements can work in a symbiotic way. “It's not just about housing and development sites,” says Gillian Beasley. “It's about bringing jobs, building roads, improving the transport infrastructure, increasing school places, developing a higher education facility and better cultural and enhanced sports amenities.”g
1. Bernard Ward’s construction of The Millennium Community Centre. 2. Lord Mawhinney, chairman of Peterborough’s URC. 3. Across the pond at the new township Hampton Hargate. 4. Aerial view of South Bank - awaiting regeneration.
The URC
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working in your neighbourhood
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will pay off. Both Gillian Beasley and Lord Mawhinney are committed to building a bigger, better Peterborough. When asked whether there are any parallels between chairing the Football League and chairing Opportunity Peterborough, Lord Mawhinney says: “We're about commercial success, about value for money, about enhanced reputation, we're about commercial attractiveness and we're about making things better. I guess that's what I am trying to do at the Football League too.” And a new chief executive too... Most recently head of regeneration at the London Development Agency, Jody Tableporter is Opportunity Peterborough's new chief executive.
As Lord Mawhinney observes: “Although we’re not doing social welfare, employment is the best form of social welfare. With an extra 21,200 homes we have committed to increasing the size of the city by about a quarter. So logic says you need more beds in hospitals, more school places and so on.”
www.minsterha.co.uk
It sounds simple but the reality is very different. Opportunity Peterborough cannot make decisions on major infrastructure, for instance a new road, without the permission of central government. Hard work and patience
Minster General Housing Association Jubilee House 92 Lincoln Road Peterborough PE1 2SN Telephone: 01733 349800 Fax: 01733 893582
A graduate of the University of California and with an MBA from Yale, Jody Tableporter takes up her new role in March 2006. She says: “Peterborough has tremendous untapped strengths, among which are its communications, excellent business base and its people. I look forward to delivering on that promise.” ●
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1. The Posh, Peterborough United football club’s London Road stadium. 2. Jody Tableporter, Opportunity Peterborough’s new chief executive.
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Project Peterborough: Time for change. Peterborough City Council developed the City Centre Framework with the East of England Development Agency and English Partnerships.
Peterborough is set to create at least 17,300 jobs, 21,200
North Westgate & Queensgate.
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Station Quarter.
Northminster. Heart of the City.
homes and welcome more than 40,000 new residents over the next 15 years. These ambitions are supported by the city’s status as part of the London–Cambridge–Stansted–Peterborough growth area. But the city's capacity for growth is potentially even greater: estimates suggest that more than 30,000 new jobs could be created by 2020 if sectors such as manufacturing, food services and logistics perform beyond current expectations. g
Embankment.
Fengate.
South Bank. Hospital Quarter. Priestgate. Project Peterborough
Rivergate.
1. Illustrative Framework - a vision of how the city centre might look in 2020.
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The Station Quarter.
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city by the Queensgate Shopping Centre and a busy ring road. Pedestrians reach the city centre via a walkway or a set of underpasses. The station building itself doesn’t reflect the status of a regional hub, while the surrounding area is underutilised and ripe for development.
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With the new station quarter improvements there will be clearer and easier access to the city centre via a stylish bridge, new road crossings and shops and cafes lining the route.
The first of the City Centre Framework’s projects is the £500 million station quarter, which is transforming an under-used part of the city into a thriving 22 hectare district with high quality offices, homes, excellent links to city centre shopping and the new £300 million North Westgate development (see pages 30 and 31). The exciting proposals, unveiled last September, will create a fabulous gateway to Peterborough with a new railway station, bus station and major road improvements. There will also be up to 4,000 multi-storey and underground car parking spaces for shoppers and commuters. The current station is cut off from the
“We are working with the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, Network Rail, Opportunity Peterborough and developers to turn the plans into reality,” says Rosemary Smith, the council's implementation manager. In partnership with consultancy Halcrow and ING Real Estate, the council is now preparing a development brief that should be ready this summer. As Steve Scott at Halcrow explains, the brief will become the council's strategic vision for the quarter. “We have conducted a baseline review, economic, design and planning analysis, extensive consultation with stakeholders and held a month-long public event,” he says. Halcrow is now considering the “very positive” comments made during the consultation period before finalising the development brief. Meanwhile, high-level liaison is continuing with Network Rail following the establishment of a working group to drive the project forward. The station quarter is shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions to the city.
Main Proposals: Station Redesign
• Multi-storey car parks for the shopping centre (1,600 spaces) east of the railway. • Parking for new developments.
• Station entrances from both sides of the railway. • Two new pedestrian bridges.
Public Spaces and Pedestrian Routes
Traffic and Parking
• Public squares in front of the station on both sides of the railway. • New neighbourhood park on the western side. • Improved pedestrian links from the station to all parts of the city centre.
• Landscaping of Bourges Boulevard. • New main north-south route west of railway (New Station Street). • New access road running east of, and alongside, the railway. • New bus station arrangements. • Parking for rail users (up to 2,300 spaces) on each side of the railway, mainly in underground car parks.
Development Areas • Six development areas each with distinctive characteristics (e.g. residential, commercial, civic). • Sites earmarked for landmark building.g
1. The GNER route travels from central London to Peterborough in 50 minutes. 2. Plans for a new transport hub for Peterborough Station.
Project Peterborough
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South Bank.
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extensive river frontage and spectacular views across Embankment Park to the Cathedral, the South Bank is already attracting significant investor interest. David Morris of commercial agent Knight Frank, which is working with the council through the procurement and tender process, says the level of interest is hardly surprising. “South Bank presents the opportunity to establish a new quarter on the edge of the city centre with scope for residential, commercial and leisure development.� Up to 700 homes could be constructed during the next 10 to 15 years.
The 13 hectare South Bank is the location of some of Peterborough's most ambitious development opportunities. Although mainly residential, the riverside scheme also contains proposals for a hotel, commercial accommodation and a small number of retail units, as well as cultural and leisure facilities. An OJEU notice will be posted in the summer inviting early expressions of interest from developers and a development partner could be selected by 2007. With its fabulous location,
Last December, English Partnerships submitted an outline planning application to build around 150 new homes as part of the scheme, in a move that will open up public access routes. Covering eight hectares, this land is currently occupied by engineering firm Elliot Group, which has agreed to relocate to the Fengate area. Meanwhile, retailers B&Q and Matalan also plan to move to Peterborough's Boulevard Retail Park, freeing another swathe of land for potential development. The South Bank is also the scene of some major infrastructure work including a new junction on the A605 and the addition of another lane to the road bridge across the River Nene. There are also proposals for a new pedestrian and cycle bridge linking the South Bank to the Embankment.g
1. South Bank has enormous potential for regeneration.
Project Peterborough
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Heart of the City. Helping to regenerate Peterborough 1.
The reinvigoration of Peterborough's centre through the Heart of the City project is complementing the new retail areas to the north as well as serving the additional residents and visitors expected as the city grows. A retail review is under way, to assess the needs and potential for enhancement and expansion. Meanwhile, the city council and Opportunity Peterborough claim firm commitment to improving the public realm and creating a first-class environment for central Peterborough.
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Although the scheme currently focuses on two specific locations, its remit will adapt to the pedestrian flows created by the new shopping areas. Cathedral Square is destined to become a world class public space featuring attractions such as bars, restaurants, cafes and visitor facilities. Meanwhile, Bridge Street will evolve into a leisure and residential hub with strong links to riverside attractions. g
The region’s premier commercial .and residential property professionals. For further information contact Richard Dade: email: richard.dade@dwdproperty.co.uk
1&2. Tourists and regular shoppers at Peterborough’s continental market.
Trinity Court, Trinity Street, Peterborough PE1 1DA Offices in Stamford, Oundle and London.
Project Peterborough
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North Westgate and Queensgate.
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Hammerson and Morley Fund Management will grow Peterborough’s already impressive retail offering with the development of North Westgate and the modernisation of the neighbouring Queensgate shopping centre.
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A development agreement between Peterborough City Council and the partners for the £300 million project was signed in February. A planning application for the scheme will be submitted later this year. Julian Wells, development manager at Hammerson, says this is the “first big milestone” for the project. Plans to transform North Westgate into a 60,000 square metre bustling retail, residential and entertainment district have already been through an extensive, and very positive, public consultation process. 2.
The scheme is likely to feature one or two anchor stores, 50 new shops, leisure facilities and around 60 high quality apartments. The proposals also include a new public square around Westgate Church. It will feature cafes, restaurants and shops and a bus interchange with links to the railway station and extra car parking spaces. Julian Wells confirms that the search for an anchor tenant has now begun. “Most importantly, this is not just another shopping centre. It is a new quarter that will be integrated with the existing city,” he says. “There will be a mixture of uses, a mixture of building types and excellent public space.” Construction should begin in the next two years with completion anticipated around 2012.
The makeover of the existing 130-store Queensgate centre could see the introduction of more natural light with extra glazing as well as updated signage and facilities. “Queensgate opened 23 years ago and has stood the test of time,” says centre manager Roger Hutchings. “It hasn’t really dated, but we need to move on.” The plans will establish Peterborough as the
region’s number one shopping destination. For more on the city’s retail profile, see pages 50 and 51. Hammerson purchased a fifty per cent stake in the centre from Morley for £150 million last November, making the partners joint owners.g
1,2&3. North Westgate will include more than 50 stores and 60 residential apartments. A new public square around Westgate Church is planned.
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Other major opportunities under development are:
1.
2.
The Priestgate area comprises a cohesive urban
quarter of historical streets and buildings on the western side of the city centre. Plans for commercial, residential and entertainment facilities will see new life breathed into the area. Priestgate is a conservation area and the city council and English Heritage are preparing to conduct a comprehensive survey to inform detailed proposals. The largely unused old BT offices could become a new business centre for smaller businesses and the museum building may be suitable for new workspaces.
Northminster provides a number of small development opportunities at the north eastern gateway to the city centre. Residential, office and possibly retail developments have been proposed, including a new civic suite bringing dispersed council offices together. The Embankment is already a major asset offering extensive open spaces in central Peterborough. This area is destined for new leisure attractions, including a regional sports centre and sports village with space for new clubs alongside the existing athletics club. The council is undertaking feasibility studies for the sports centre.g
1. Peterborough’s museum and art gallery situated in Priestgate. 2. The Lido may gain a retractable roof as part of the Embankment scheme.
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Also under development:
1.
Our Ambition
Hospital Quarter is the result of the planned
relocation of many functions of Peterborough District Hospital from 2007 onwards (see page 13). The area will be redeveloped into a residential community with new homes, shops, workspaces and civic space. This will integrate with proposed developments to the west of the station quarter.
The Rivergate area will reunite the city with the River
2.
Nene. Two major projects are proposed. First, the existing Rivergate Centre and Asda store site offers long-term potential for the southwards expansion of the city centre core. Asda recently obtained planning approval for an extension to its store. Second, to the east, there are proposals for the creation of the Rivergate cultural quarter to include a new theatre, performing arts venue, museum, exhibition and events space.
The Fengate residential-led development stretches
from the east of the city centre to the River Nene. Allison Homes is clearing a site and plans to construct 550 residential units (494 apartments and 56 houses), ranging from one-bedroom flats to four-bedroom homes. The company says that first sales will begin towards the end of the year and the scheme should be completed by May 2007.â—?
To improve people’s lives through our ability to inspire, motivate and give hope to individuals and communities Cross Keys Homes Shrewsbury Avenue Peterborough PE2 7BZ
1. How Peterborough’s new hospital atrium may look. 2. Riverside apartments overlooking the River Nene.
Tel 01733 385000 www.crosskeyshomes.co.uk Project Peterborough
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A Greater Peterborough: Beyond the City Centre. Peterborough city centre is set for a fabulous transformation. But change isn't confined to its civic heart. Exciting plans are already taking shape in Hampton, Orton and Bretton.
1. 2.
PEAKIRK
ELTON GLINTON NEWBOROUGH
HELPSTON EYE GREEN
WERRINGTON
GUNTHORPE WALTON
Three miles west of the city centre at Hampton, the
EYE
PASTON MARHOLM
largest private development in Europe is taking shape. When complete it will include over 7,500 homes and a mix of social, retail, leisure and commercial facilities. There are also plans for 160 hectares of country park and a 120 hectare nature reserve.
DOGSTHORPE NEW ENGLAND NEWARK
RAVENSTHORPE MILLFIELD
EASTFIELD
WESTWOOD EASTGATE FLAG FEN
Historically, the Hampton area used to be home to the Fletton brick industry and its vast clay pits. By the 1980s, most of the 1,012 hectares were derelict and developer Hanson bought the site from London Brick.
LONGTHORPE FERRY MEADOWS
WOODSTON
At the same time, the city council was looking to construct a fourth township - a community in line with new town expansion plans of the early 1970s. Hampton was eventually selected as the location for this development in 1989.g
STANGROUND FLETTON
HAMPTON
FARCET
1. New residents of Hampton are becoming a real community. 2.Peterborough and neighbouring districts.
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1.
Today, developer O&H Hampton is well on the way to creating the new community. O&H development director Ronnie Shahmoon says the most challenging aspect has been negotiating the planning process against a backdrop of changing environmental and other legislative policy since Hampton was first mooted in 1985. Using a team of consultants and liaising closely with the council, the company developed a new masterplan when it bought Hanson’s UK property portfolio in 1998. “It ensures that Hampton integrates with Peterborough’s overall growth,” says Ronnie Shahmoon. The level of infrastructure required has been such that lead times between planning and construction have been up to eight years. When completed Hampton will have four neighbourhoods: Hargate, Vale, Hempsted and Leys. Hargate
and Vale already boast 2,000 homes with around 4,800 residents and work is continuing on the western sides of these two areas, which will eventually contain over 3,600 homes. The accommodation offers a mix of styles, sizes and tenures. As Ronnie Shahmoon points out, there were up to 13 housebuilders onsite at one stage. Planning applications are in for homes, neighbourhood facilities and employment space at Hempsted. Work will start on Leys in 2008 to provide 3,287 more homes. But a township isn’t just a residential development: Hampton is a vibrant community. As part of the Section 106 agreements O&H agreed to build four primary schools with accompanying community centres – of which Hargate and Vale are now open – and a 1,200 pupil secondary school that opened last September. Students at the new Hampton College benefit from state-of-the-art facilities including an amphitheatre and specialist music tuition. A medical centre opened in 2001 and land has been allocated for a police station and a new library and community resource centre. Peterborough prides itself on environmental excellence and Hampton is no exception. Of the 1,000-plus hectares under development, just over 160 hectares will be given over to country parks and a 120 hectare nature reserve designed to protect the area’s famous Great Crested Newt colony opened in 2001.g
Retail at Hampton revolves around the Serpentine Green shopping centre, which opened in February 1999. It offers 18 retail units over 26,000 square metres and houses the second largest Tesco Extra store in the country. Other household names at the centre include Boots, Next, Gap and WHSmith.
2.
Serpentine Green is perfectly placed to serve the workers of nearby Cygnet Park - 92,000 square metres of flexible business accommodation including offices, research and development space, showrooms and light distribution facilities. Cygnet Park opened in 2004 and two-thirds is now sold. Tenants include publisher News International and the charity Deafblind UK. As well as great new buildings and attractive landscaped surroundings, Cygnet Park is located just three miles from the city and one and a half miles from the railway station. The site has easy access to the A1 and A14 as well as Stansted, Luton and East Midlands airports and the east coast sea ports.
3.
Ikea and Debenhams have both chosen to locate distribution centres in Hampton, providing 1,300 jobs between them. “We have always acknowledged that long term it is the people that make the place,” says Ronnie Shahmoon. “Early investment in working with residents and police in forming residents’ associations, sports and social clubs have proved successful in making Hampton a good place to live and bring up children.”g
1.The new Hampton College is equipped with state-of-art facilities. 2. O&H Hampton is planning to construct four primary schools. 3.Tesco at Serpentine Green is convenient for residents and workers.
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Fresh face for Orton. 10 Station Road Watford Hertfordshire WD17 1EG t: f: e: w:
01923 245844 01923 245234 info@thekeegansgroup.com www.thekeegansgroup.com
Proud to be working in partnership on Innovative & Sustainable Regeneration Solutions
1.
A multi-disciplined practice offering the following services: Urban Regeneration & Environmental Consultancy Community Consultation & Stakeholder Involvement Funding Strategies Collaborative Working Partnerships Employment & Training Initiatives Project Management & Implementation 2.
Work is due to begin this spring on the £35 million redevelopment of the Orton Centre to the south west of Peterborough. The centre’s owner, Orton shopping centre LLP, plans to transform it with 30 new retail units, 94 new apartments and parking for almost 1,000 vehicles. The refurbishment is due for completion by Summer 2007 and will fully update the current 1980s design by introducing a host of new stores and increasing retail space by more than twothirds to just under 17,500 square metres. “The centre is almost 30 years old,” says the company’s Colin Molyneux, who is co-ordinating the project. “Not only does it need refreshing, but it also needs to be reorganised in terms of its layout.” The redevelopment will start with work on the centre's main entrance and the building of an additional car park for Bushfield School and the Bushfield sports centre, next to the scheme.
x
2005 Winner for British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) for Best Practice in Regeneration
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2005 Winner for RICS Awards—Regeneration Consultant of the Year for London & South East
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2005 Finalist for Sustainability Awards—Development of the Year
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2005 Finalist for Building Communities Award—Community Consultation Award
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2005 Finalist for Integrated Supply Chain Team of the Year at the Building Awards
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2004 Finalist for Regeneration Consultant of the Year at the Regeneration Awards
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2004 Finalist for Best Approach to Partnering & Supply Chain Management at the Building Homes Quality Awards
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2004 Finalist for Best Training/ People Development at the Building Homes Quality Awards
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2004 Finalist for the ODPM Sustainable Communities Award
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An extended QD Garden Centre will anchor the revamped Orton Centre alongside new retialers Wilkinson's hardware store and Co-op Foodstores. Colin Molyneux confirms that household names such as Barratt Shoes, Lloyds Chemists and Specsavers will also feature. Lettings, he says, are going well with around 50 per cent expected to be filled by the summer. The residential element of the scheme will deliver 94 flats and maisonettes. “There is strong demand for starter homes in the Orton area,” Colin Molyneux adds. The new homes, which will probably be priced between £80,000 and £100,000, should be on sale early in 2007.g
1.The new Orton Centre - view of entrance and main shops from car park. 2. Orton’s proposed new residential from the north. 3. Thriving location for offices in Lynch Wood, Orton.
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#OMMERCIAL 0ROPERTY %XPERTISE SUPPORTING /PPORTUNITY 0ETERBOROUGH
Bretton Centre nears completion.
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2.
A revamp and extension of the Bretton Centre to the north west of the city will be complete this summer. Three partners - Catalyst Capital, Schroder's Gresham Property Partners and Deutsche UK Property Ventures Fund - are creating an 18 store development. Twelve new retail units, including an eight-unit retail terrace, are under construction alongside 500 car parking spaces. The new and improved units (which range from 135 square metres to 1,858 square metres) will link via a covered walkway to existing Boots and Sainsbury’s stores. Other improvements, including facilities for bicycles, are also being introduced. Upon completion of the development, fashion retailer Next will open a 1,858 square metre two-storey store. The Carphone Warehouse is also set to feature. Howard Crews, development director at Catalyst Capital, says the new signings are “great news” for the whole area. “There is considerable interest and more lettings are expected over the next couple of months,” he adds. “The development has been very well received. Our tenants and visitors to the centre have been very patient while the building works continue.”●
6OTED BY THE %STATES 'AZETTE hMOST ACTIVE REGIONAL AGENT IN #AMBRIDGESHIRE AND %AST !NGLIA AND v
/FlCES AT 0ETERBOROUGH (UNTINGDON
#AMBRIDGE "URY 3T %DMUNDS
1.The new Bretton Centre will attract major retailers to the area. 2. Next is to open a two-storey outlet in Bretton this summer.
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Business Case: Come to Peterborough. Peterborough’s location and economic profile make it the perfect place for business. That’s the message from Opportunity Peterborough, the city council and their public sector partners.
1.
It’s not surprising that employment creation, attracting new businesses and helping established companies grow are high on Opportunity Peterborough’s priority list. It has pledged, in co-operation with the city council, to bring 17,300 new jobs by 2020. Opportunity Peterborough is working on its Business Case for Growth strategy, which will shape the type of employment it aims for. As chairman Lord Brian Mawhinney points out, the business plan has to be holistic to entice companies to Peterborough. It must address a full spectrum of issues from the expansion of healthcare services to improving arts and cultural facilities. “Businesses ask all sorts of questions: what are the schools like? What is the skills base? Do you have
a decent theatre? There are a range of issues and we have to examine all of these,” he says. In its drive to attract jobs, Peterborough has looked closely at its existing business base. The city is strong in diverse areas food services, construction, publishing, logistics, manufacturing and the environmental sector. It also boasts emerging sectors in health and education. City council leader councillor Ben Franklin says: “We have lots of opportunities and need to debate what types of employment we should try to attract. We have ambitions to grow new commercial bases in certain areas and this could strengthen public sector employment, which is already an important component in our economic mix.” The city ranked high in the government’s 2004 Lyons Review on the relocation of government offices from London. Shared Intelligence, the consultancy commissioned last year by the city council to analyse the city’s potential for growth, agrees that the public sector could be a significant provider of new jobs. Its Pathways to Prosperity report also predicts that Peterborough could become a hub for the logistics industry, citing its proximity to London, connectivity to the rest of the UK and Europe as well as the relatively low price of land. Shared Intelligence believes that Peterborough can also build on its environmental sector business cluster (see pages 52 to 57), expand its food services and diversify the traditional manufacturing base.
There are grounds for optimism, particularly in the commercial vigour that characterises Peterborough. Between 1999 and 2004, Peterborough had a business birth rate of 13 per cent, just above the UK average of 12.65 per cent. The £2 million Peterborough Enterprise Centre opened last summer to support people who want to set up their own businesses. In addition to its geographical assets, Peterborough also has a comparatively young population. Twenty two per cent are under 16 years of age, against a national figure of 20.2 per cent, and this potential workforce will play an important role in the city’s future success. As discussed on pages 10 to 15 companies can make significant savings on property and labour costs by relocating to Peterborough, particularly from London and the south east.
its skills base has suffered from the absence of a higher education facility - fewer than 15 per cent of the Peterborough population are educated to degree level. The city council is working with institutions such as Anglia Ruskin University and Cambridge University on its plans and is also introducing a number of initiatives to address skills shortages. ● 2.
But the city council is well aware that change needs to be effected if Peterborough’s potential is to be realised. Establishing a university is one of the city council’s key goals. This is England’s largest conurbation without a university and
1.Thomas Deacon Academy - internal view of the concourse. 2. The academy will provide skilled school leavers for key job roles.
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Company Focus: Deafblind UK. Award winning charity Deafblind UK has its headquarters at Cygnet Park in Hampton. It offers educational and training services as well as conference facilities. TWO NEW HIGH QUALITY, SELF-CONTAINED DISTRIBUTION CENTRES - TO LET
UNIT 3: 545,000 SQ FT
UNIT 2: 185,000 SQ FT Deafblind UK’s chairman Dr Philip Gafga talks about its work and the benefits of doing business in Peterborough. A1139
A1(M) JUNC 17 ( A14/M1/M25)
Q. How would you summarise the work of Deafblind UK? A. The charity provides a wide range of services including qualified interpreters and communicator guides to work one-on-one with deafblind people, training in deafblind skills, a 24 hour helpline service, specially adapted technical equipment and volunteer befrienders. Q. Why did you choose Peterborough? A.The National Deafblind Helper’s League had a long standing link to a man named Arthur Sculthorpe who became its chief executive. Mr Sculthorpe had links to Peterborough and Deafblind UK has been in the city since 1928. We chose to build our new headquarters at Cygnet Park to continue our longstanding connection with the city.
UNIT 1: 726,000 SQ FT OCCUPIED BY
1.
For more information
• Available summer 2006 • Direct connections to trunk routes (via A47 and A14) • Local distribution centre occupiers include Debenhams & Ikea
2.
We’ve been able to establish a very successful conference facility at the national centre, which is used by companies and organisations in the local area. Its location is also helping us become a regional conference centre. Previous users have been Coca-Cola, Leonard Cheshire, The AA and Cambridgeshire Police. Q. Have you noticed much change in Peterborough during your time in the city? A.Peterborough has much more community spirit. Businesses and organisations are networking and communicating more than they ever did and since moving to the Cygnet Park site we have worked closely with our neighbours at the Serpentine Green Shopping Centre and News International as well as other large companies throughout the Peterborough area. Deafblind UK also works with members of the general public and school children at the National Centre to raise awareness of deafblindness. Q.What are the goals of Deafblind UK over the next year? A.Deafblind UK has launched a new five year plan called “End the Exclusion”. We hope to run events, work with local companies and generally play our part in the regeneration of Peterborough as a thriving community. ●
1. Reception to Deafblind UK’s national centre, Peterborough. 2. Dr Philip Gafga, chairman of Deafblind UK.
[ Respectability ] ProLogis is the world’s leading developer of industrial and distribution space. Our vision is to serve customers by focusing on their needs. To view our award winning ability and portfolio please visit:
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Q. How do you find Peterborough as a base? A.Peterborough is a very accessible place with good road and rail links. This makes it easy for our “field” staff and deafblind people themselves to visit us. Deafblind UK recruits staff locally from the Peterborough area but also from other areas of the country. Many have relocated to
Peterborough to work for the organisation.
Business Case
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Retail Case: Investors eye attractive opportunities. With 1.1 million potential shoppers and a core catchment area of around 250,000, Peterborough is a good prospect for retailers.
Of 4,500 trading locations in the UK, Peterborough has the 27th largest shopping population. Affluence levels in its core catchment area are in line with the national average and demand from retailers for space consistently outstrips supply. A 2004 city council-commissioned study by consultancey DTZ makes a cautious estimate that 56,600 square metres of new retail space will be needed by 2016. If, however, shopper numbers rise by 10 per cent, it predicts that around 75,000 square metres of additional space could be needed. As the DTZ report points out, “doing nothing is not a viable option”. Peterborough competes with other regional destinations such as Norwich, Leicester, Cambridge, Northampton and Milton Keynes to attract shoppers. Hammerson and Morley Fund Management recently completed a development agreement with the city council for a £300 million project to transform North Westgate into a retailled mixed-use area with one or two anchor tenants, 50 new shops, leisure facilities and around 60 high quality apartments. North Westgate will be a fully integrated part of the city centre with new streets, public squares and landscaped space. The partners also own and plan to refurbish Queensgate
Shopping Centre, the current focus for retailing in Peterborough. It’s 130 units attract 335,000 shoppers each week, rising to 520,000 during the Christmas period. According to manager Roger Hutchings, Queensgate currently captures 73 per cent of the core catchment clothing spend. He believes that even more shoppers will be attracted to the city with the addition of North Westgate and the other improvements planned for Peterborough's regeneration. The city’s development programme will enable it to compete with Cambridge as a “day out” destination. Although Queensgate has a great mass-market offer as well as department store John Lewis, Peterborough intends to add middle market-plus retailers (such as Zara, Hobbs and Reiss) to complete its offer. A shortage of available trading space rather than demographics has so far prevented the arrival of some of these fashion names. “These stores won't come individually. First you need to create the critical mass,” says Roger Hutchings. “There are great opportunities for middle to upper-market retailers,” adds Hammerson project manager Julian Wells. “If we make a good job of it, which we will, North Westgate will be extremely popular.” ●
1. Laura Ashley, one of the retailers at the Queensgate shopping centre.
Retail Case
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City Issues: Seen to be Green. Peterborough became an “environment city” in 1992 - one of only four in the country.
This status reflects the city council's commitment to sustainability in all aspects of life. From transport and recycling to improving air quality and promoting green spaces, a range of initiatives and projects have seen the city become one of only three sustainable energy centres in the UK. Its ambition now is to become the UK's environment capital. “In some ways Peterborough can already make that claim,” says Jonathan Selwyn, chief executive of the Peterborough-based UK Centre for Economic and Environmental Development (UKCEED). “We can certainly claim aspects that, when considered together, make Peterborough unique. We have the environment city status, the environmental business cluster, the sustainable transport and energy projects, a proposed innovation centre and impressive recycling statistics. “As far as we are aware, Peterborough has the only significant cluster of environmental businesses in the UK.” UKCEED aims to reconcile the city’s economic development with environmental protection by addressing emerging policy issues and developing cross-sector partnerships. It is one of the big name environmental players based in the area. Others include English Nature and the regional base of the Environment Agency, to name just two. As Jonathan Selwyn explains, the thriving green community can be attributed to a number of factors. Peterborough has been home to a strong engineering base for over 100 years. Now, some engineering companies have started to specialise in green technologies - notably Peter Brotherhood in renewable energy and Perkins in emissions control. The public sector has also become an important factor. The presence of, for example,
the Environment Agency and the contracts it has to offer have encouraged many consultancies to relocate to the area. “Business clusters are based on the concentration of knowledge,” notes Jonathan Selwyn. Further significant growth within the sector is being actively promoted. A new innovation centre to encourage start-up businesses to focus on environmental technologies is under development and UKCEED is working on a number of projects such as the Encluster Initiative to promote the expansion of Peterborough's green business base. During the last three years it has attracted over £1 million of investment to the city. It doesn't stop there. Peterborough Environment City Trust (PECT) was established 14 years ago and works in close co-operation with the city council to respond to the challenges presented by its green status. With over 200 members spanning local authorities, businesses, community and environmental organisations, it aims to encourage sustainable development through initiatives and research. PECT runs various schemes to help existing companies operate in a sustainable way. The Business and Energy Management Scheme is designed to help companies deliver more environmentally friendly profits by providing straightforward, low cost solutions to environmental management. Likewise, the Materials Exchange is a free online service where organisations can access information about redundant stock, surplus raw materials or material requirements. Launched in April 2003 to cut back on unnecessary waste, The Materials Exchange now has over 200 registered users.g
1.The city is surrounded by some of England's most beautiful countryside.
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Tradition & Innovation
1.
Carter Jonas brings together the strengths of a forward-looking approach with 150 years of experience in every aspect of property. This combination of innovation and heritage has made us one of the major national firms of chartered surveyors and property consultants. We are innovative and experienced. Open advice lies at the heart of all we do for our clients, and we are always approachable.We see close co-operation as an essential part of helping our clients achieve their aims. By creating a comprehensive network of specialist teams we think nationally but can act both locally and regionally. Each has the full range of knowledge and experience in its field, ensuring you receive the very best advice. The depth and breadth of this clientfocused service ensures a seamless consultancy across the entire property spectrum.
2.
It is our way of looking after your interests. Peterborough 43 Priestgate Peterborough Cambridgeshire PE1 1AR
Chris Haworth – Commercial chris.haworth@carterjonas.co.uk T 01733 588607
John Henniker-Major – Rural john.henniker-major@carterjonas.co.uk T 01733 588611
Paul Norton – Residential paul.norton@carterjonas.co.uk T 01733 588602
Andrew Blackwell – Planning andrew.blackwell@carterjonas.co.uk T 01223 346608
T 01733 588688
Zoe Davies – New Homes zoe.davies@carterjonas.co.uk T 01223 346611
Geoff Isitt – Building Consultancy geoff.isitt@carterjonas.co.uk T 01223 346614
3.
Peter Dawes – Minerals and Waste Management peter.dawes@carterjonas.co.uk T 01939 210125
Our regional offices East ❙ Cambridge ❙ Peterborough ❙ Northampton ❙ Long Melford
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Notable PECT-led lifestyle projects include the 50 mile Green Wheel and the planned Green Grid. The Green Wheel, popular with commuters and leisure users, is a continuous network of cycleways, footpaths and bridleways providing safe routes around the city, through nearby villages, the Fens and the beautiful Nene Valley. The £11 million scheme was 50 per cent funded by the National Lottery and matched by public and private contributions. Not only does it contribute to a sustainable transport system, the Green Wheel also celebrates over 3,000 years of social, cultural and economic history with colourful interpretation boards and a series of sculptures. Building on this success, PECT is working with the city council, English Nature, The Countryside Agency, Forestry Commission and the Environment Agency to plan Green Grid, a green infrastructure framework for the area. The partners are currently waiting to hear from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister about a £1 million bid for growth area funding. As PECT chief executive Hugh Cripps explains, Green Grid comes in response to the city's planned regeneration which is expected to generate at least 21,200 new homes by 2020. “We are saying 'let's plan green space strategically. Let's have the green infrastructure in place before development starts, not as an afterthought',” he asserts. The city council is aiming to reach English Nature targets that mean all residents live within 300 metres of a “green network”. This target is challenging in established urban areas and the city council is trying to incorporate this rationale into new residential schemes. This should have a significant economic impact on Peterborough: studies have shown that house buyers are often willing to pay a 15 per cent premium to be close to, or have a view of, open green space.g
1. A sculpture near the Perkins factory on the Millennium Green Wheel. 2. Peterborough is home to English Nature's head office. 3.The bank of the River Nene on the Green Wheel Cycle Route.
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Peterborough: Growing the right way Peterborough is entering a new period of growth
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The city council and new urban regeneration company Opportunity Peterborough has pledged to build over 21,000 new homes, resulting in a population increase of 25 per cent to 225,000. But growth is not just about new houses. To build truly sustainable communities you need to grow in the right way with genuine improvements in key areas. We are continuing to stimulate the local economy to generate significant employment-led growth. So along with thousands of new homes, we are looking to create at least 17,800 new jobs by 2021.
2.
Work will soon start on a £300 million health investment plan that includes the building of a new 762-bed hospital, a mental health unit and an integrated care centre. The council is also undertaking a major transformation of its secondary schools. Key parts of the city centre are set to be transformed as part of a multi-million pound development framework that will include new shops, cafes, bars, restaurants, hotels and leisure facilities. The proposed £500 million Station Quarter with its new railway and bus station will strengthen the transport infrastructure.
Growing the right way for a bigger, better Peterborough
3.
Transport will continue to be a major barometer of Peterborough's environmental credentials. It is currently one of three sustainable transport demonstration towns in the UK. Last year, the city council commissioned a survey of 4,600 residents to assess travel habits and discover ways to encourage sustainable travel usage. The research revealed that around two thirds of all trips in Peterborough are made by car and three out of four privately owned cars are used at least once a day. More than a fifth of car trips are of less than three kilometres in distance and over half are for shopping and leisure purposes. However, the survey also showed that three out of five trips could be undertaken by sustainable travel methods such as walking, cycling or public transport. In 2004, the city council launched the £3.24 million Travel Choice initiative. Sustainable travel co-ordinator Jamie Gray says the survey is helping to mould the scheme: “One of the key findings was that lack of information was a barrier to increased public transport use. We placed an interactive information kiosk in the Queensgate bus station and we are installing new screens that will feature key information on bus times, train times and other travel options. Similarly, we are introducing a satellite tracking system to inform passengers of exactly when buses will arrive. We have just conducted a review of walking habits to identify key routes and make sure these are properly signposted and maintained.” Jonathan Selwyn adds: “The city is in a great position. Now we have to set down a marker and encourage the right kind of development with good architecture, new buildings using less energy and encourage more sustainable transport.”●
1.The 50-mile Millennium Green Wheel is popular for commuters and leisure. 2. A bridge that runs over the River Nene on the Green Wheel Cycle Route. 3. Improved signage for Green Wheel cyclists.
City Issues
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“I’m not
listening”
Peterborough Perks: Country Life. There are many attractive villages in the Greater Peterborough area - one of which is Northborough.
Northborough village offers the best of both worlds - a tranquil rural setting just a few miles from Peterborough. Residents enjoy the amenities of the city and escape the hustle and bustle when they return home. The area - which includes the villages of Maxey, Etton, Deeping Gate and Northborough itself is also one of the most important archaeological sites in the country.
Your message is not getting through. Successful development – at every stage and at every scale – needs effective communication. Whether you want planning consent for a building or inward investment for a city, whether you need a single tenant or a dozen developers, good communications are vital.
1.
A visit from Channel 4's Time Team programme uncovered items including animal bones, pottery and flint tools dating back thousands of years.
Our services include:
Community consultation programmes
You have to seize attention and hold it. You have to get your message across.
Marketing communications – everything from adverts to websites
Throughout the East of England – and beyond – Smye Holland Associates and t2 Advertising and Marketing have worked together with clients in the development industry and local government to present persuasive arguments that secure results.
Market research and planning
However, much of Northborough's fascinating history is far from buried. There is a wealth of historic buildings, some dating back to the medieval period and many with a colourful past. The Grade I listed Manor House in Northborough village was frequented by Oliver Cromwell whose favourite daughter was married to John Claypole, a member of the family that owned the house.
Public and media relations
These days Northborough is best known for its strong community spirit.●
advertising and marketing Smye Holland Associates Limited marketing & public relations consultants Call 01733 564906 www.smye-holland.com
1. Northborough offers the best of both worlds.
t2 Studios Limited advertising and marketing Call 01733 313166 www.t2studios.net
Peterborough Perks
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