Planning the future for historic city

Mar 13 2007 By The Journal

Durham 2020 Vision is an ambitious partnership project whose aim is to do just what the name suggests -- create a vision for the centre of North East England's most historic city for the year 2020.

The masterplan for Durham City Vision has just been published and many of its ideas are drawn from the extensive public consultation exercise that took place during 2005, which gathered opinions from all over County Durham.

A joint initiative by City of Durham Council, Durham County Council and One NorthEast, with Durham Cathedral Chapter and Durham University, its aim is to create a vibrant city centre economy, alongside conservation of its precious heritage and character.

The plan also suggests strategies to improve different aspects of life in the city centre, including shopping, work, leisure, entertainment and tourism development, learning, housing and transport. These ideas were included in the draft masterplan, which went out to further public consultation over summer and autumn last year.

Created by the people of Durham the plan includes support and encouragement of existing and new businesses, entrepreneurship and investment, with the aim of creating a special identity for the city centre as a regional family destination for shopping and leisure.

John Holmes, director of regeneration and tourism at One NorthEast and chairman of the Durham Vision steering group, says: "One NorthEast's vision is that the North East of England will become a sought-after destination 365 days a year - for leisure and business visitors - with activities, attractions, facilities and accommodation that consistently exceed visitor expectations.

"Durham 2020 Vision is a vital initiative that will go a significant way towards ensuring that our vision is realised. Durham has enormous potential and One NorthEast is pleased to support a drive initiative that reinforces Durham's importance as a major contributor to the North East's economy."

Coun Fraser Reynolds, leader of City of Durham Council, says: "It's about believing in Durham. By fostering local enterprise and independent businesses, including retailers, we can develop our city and protect its unique character.

"Our aim is to create opportunities for investors, developers and businesses to provide jobs in and around the city centre, which add to the vitality of the city centre."

Typical of the dynamic businesses that the masterplan aims to encourage is Gavin Shelley Jewellery Design, whose shop and workshop have traded for eight years in one of the city's historic vennels (alleyways).

He says: "Durham is a magic place to have a business, the students are great, the locals are fantastic and the visitors are amazing. I would love it if there were more independent boutiques in Durham, it would really add to the character of the city, and I think they'd do well. I certainly get plenty of trade in Durham."

Durham City Vision Masterplan analyses the existing characteristics of the city centre, looking beyond the physical characteristics to consider how people use the space, what they value and how the city centre might change for the better.

Already, a number of key projects have been started to ensure the delivery of Durham 2020 Vision. These include a team to develop The Durham Necklace Park, which aims to use existing rights of way to link a series of locations along the banks of the River Wear as it flows through the city.

Among initiatives in development is the possible reopening of the magnificent Frankland railway viaduct as a pedestrian and cycle route.

A city centre coordinator has been appointed to champion businesses in the city centre, while an events team is in place to support people planning events in the city and to ensure that there is a strategic approach, so that events organised by different "players" on the city scene will complement each other and work to raise the city's profile and reputation.

The events team is working with national promoters to bring top class national and international performers to the city this summer, as well as helping community groups with local events.

Plans for a revolutionary new approach to lighting the city are also being formulated, as is a new approach to street signage, aimed at reducing "clutter" and ensuring a better experience for visitors to the city.

The Masterplan is available at www.durhamvision.org.uk and Durham Vision 2020 continues to welcome comments on how to further improve the city.