TAKING THE BEST OPTION FORWARD

The five options have been tested relative to criteria and ‘rated’ in the Table 3 above. The testing identified both the good aspects of Option 1 and the aspects for more work to enhance the satisfaction of the testing criteria.

Through the option process the thinking as evolved as to how the civic area implementation could be staged. Further work has been done too on what the library/community aspect of the civic area development might include.

Below are the ‘work on’ aspects for this option as the Preferred Approach in the following section of this Plan.

ASPECTS TO WORK ON

The principal aspects to work on with Option 1 relate to the area towards Dalton Street. The front area to Hastings Street is considered positive.

1. Considering the use and value of the secondary Dalton Street civic space.

2. Framing the open area along Station Street to give it more containment as a space and also considering its scale.

3. Providing for a staging of implementation to recognise the uncertainty for the scale of need for the Council work place - potentially including

Council public-facing aspects into the library facility.

4. Working with the refurbishment of the old library/civic administration building (which was a good aspect of Option 2) as an option within staging as noted above.

5. Showing how Dalton Street will be linked for the civic area to extend across - recognising HBRC is a partner in governance locally.

6. Considering the opportunity for compatible/complementary activities on the site and including potential for the future of the Dalton House site.

7. Considering various modes (eg vehicles, buses, walking/cycling access).

FIGURE 41: OBLIQUE AERIAL VIEW OF PLAN BELOW

7

2 6

4 5

3 7

1

7

FIGURE 42: PLAN OF THINGS TO WORK ON

PREFERRED APPROACH

4. PREFERRED APPROACH