St Helens Council’s Post

Our Managing Director Steven Harvey, also the Chairman of the BID, attended an important meeting with representatives from Visit Staines Business Improvement District and the North West Surrey Health and Care Alliance. Together, they welcomed Members from the House of Lords Built Environment Committee at our Jobs and Skills Hub, followed by a walking tour of Staines-upon-Thames. The discussion highlighted how we've maximised key assets to support town centre growth and implemented various improvement initiatives to attract visitors and businesses. Staines-upon-Thames is a thriving town with two shopping centres. The Council purchased the Elmsleigh Shopping Centre in 2019, securing strong anchor shops that have driven continued footfall growth. Town improvements include bridge murals, enhanced river access, new signage, digital screens, grants to welcome back visitors post-Covid, and the removal of chewing gum to keep streets cleaner. Looking ahead, we're excited about the new library and community hub, proposals for a 4-star hotel, and support for a health and wellbeing centre for our communities. Additionally, the world's largest Passivhaus ‘Eclipse Leisure Centre’ is just months from opening, marking a significant step in our Net Zero journey. #BuiltEnvironment #GreenGrowth #Staines #Spelthorne #Regeneration #Business #BusinessImprovementDistrict #EnvironmentCommittee #Communities

Aberdeen City Council - City Development & Regeneration in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council are proposing a new cycle lane from Westhill into the city centre as part of their plans to prioritise sustainable transport in and around the city. As part of the plans their preferred option involves major changes to Queen's Cross roundabout which would see restricted access on to Albyn Place and on-street parking removed from Carden Place. Whilst I appreciate cleaner forms of transport should be encouraged I can't help but think that removing on-street car parking from Carden Place and beyond and restricting vehicular access to Albyn Place is only going to further put people off from coming into the city centre or encourage companies to join the exodus of businesses which have relocated out to Kingswells and Westhill. The bus gates have already split the city by creating a north-south divide and we are seeing a surge in companies enquiring about properties out with the LEZ. It feels like the powers that be really just don't get it! If you'd like to share your views there is an online survey which is open to members of the public until the 18th August. https://lnkd.in/eHmM6P7G

I am very pleased Vancouver City Council enthusiastically and unanimously endorsed our program for Villages, implementing a key land use and housing strategy from The Vancouver Plan. Villages will have a number of valuable benefits: ✔️ Enabling more Vancouverites the opportunity to benefit from walkable, mixed use, and amenity laden communities. ✔️ Providing middle density housing options between 3-6 storeys across hundreds of city blocks filling a gap between multi-plex and areas of the city enabling high rises such as Downtown, Broadway Plan area and Transit-Oriented Areas. ✔️ Streamlining approvals and housing delivery at scale with zoned land for up to 6 storeys with simplified zoning district schedules, enabling projects to go straight to Development Permit. ✔️ Creating a diversity of retail and services and people oriented public spaces. ✔️ Enhancing ecological function and mobility choices in communities. 17 of 25 Villages will be delivered through this 18 month program, while others are being delivered through area planning programs like Rupert-Renfrew (coming to Council soon) and subsequent area planning including for Punjabi Market. Villages will take a novel approach to area planning by typology across the city, rather than sequentially neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood over many years and decades. Engagement will build upon Vancouver Plan work and facilitate the unique elements of each Village to be strengthened.

Parts of well-known Newcastle city centre building to be re-opened for first time in decades

Plans to breathe new life into Truro by transforming empty or dilapidated properties into new sustainable places for people to live and work in the city centre have taken a major step forward this week with the official launch of the new company which will deliver the exciting and ambitious Truro Town Deal funded project. Led by Truro City Council, the New Life for City Buildings project will help to revitalise the city centre by refurbishing, renovating and repurposing empty spaces above shops and on the edge of the city. Truro is one of four places in Cornwall to be awarded a share of the £3.6bn Town Deal funding by the Government as part of its Levelling Up ambition, securing £23.6 million to regenerate the city and boost the local economy. Wholly owned by the City Council, Truro Regeneration Company will be responsible for assessing applications and distributing grants to owners and landlords looking to transform the upper floors of their buildings to create new high quality living space in the city centre, and where appropriate, buying and regenerating unused buildings so they can then be resold rather than lying empty. There are around 1,600 private sector businesses in Truro, many within the retail and professional services sector. The city centre currently has an estimated 25,000 m2 of empty or redundant space. As well as making more creative use of this space and protecting community assets, the project will also improve energy efficiency and future proof buildings and provide sustainable employment and apprenticeship opportunities within the construction industry.  Details of the grant scheme and application process are currently being finalised, with an invitation to owners and landlords to submit Expressions of Interest for grant support expected to be published later this month. Landlords and owners of properties will be expected to contribute at least 50% of the cost of the works and will be responsible for overseeing the construction. All applications for grants will be considered by the TRC board against the criteria set out in the funding agreement between Truro City Council and the Truro Towns Fund. As well as leading on the New Life for City Buildings project, Truro City Council is also developing the Boscawen Sport and Recreation Hub Town Deal project which will provide new and improved indoor and outdoor sports and leisure facilities at Boscawen Park. Find out more here https://lnkd.in/dXM-37us #MyTruro #TruroCornwall #TruroTownDeal #TownsFund 

It is great to see Brisbane take a step toward modern urban practice. Brisbane has been held back for a long time by forcing car parking provision for all housing. This reduces housing affordability while increasing car dependence. I urge Brisbane City Council however, to do this properly like New Zealand has, and that is to remove all car parking minimums from all development. Car parks are not a basic health or safety provision like potable water, electricity, adequate ventilation and an accessible fire exit. We should let the market decide how many car parks to build.

Discover essential insights for moving to Mississauga, including housing, transportation, and community features, perfect for new residents. https://lnkd.in/gucC-fGy

Here’s a practical read on the use of public space for subsidized car parking in one city. My view is that parking is not evil, but it should be a market driven asset, not subsidized by public funds nor required by regulation. This is not likely a popular opinion in most existing neighbourhoods where the curbside parking spot in front of a house is viewed as belonging to the house. “Mepham acknowledges that reforming car parking rules is a “death wish” for most councils, given the inevitable backlash from business groups and residents who are “emotional about their ‘right’ to access parking”. #planning #parking #density #civicpolitics

📍 Property Investment in Gloucester: Uncover Untapped Potential 🏡💎 Gloucester - a city steeped in history, yet brimming with contemporary allure and significant property investment potential. 1️⃣ Urban Regeneration: Gloucester is under transformation, with major regeneration projects underway. This means potential for capital appreciation. 2️⃣ Lifestyle Appeal: With its mix of heritage attractions, retail hubs, and beautiful landscapes, Gloucester attracts a diverse population, ensuring a strong rental market. 3️⃣ Infrastructure & Connectivity: Excellent transport links and commuting options add to Gloucester's desirability, boosting rental and property demand. 4️⃣ Student Population: Thanks to its universities and colleges, Gloucester has a considerable student population. This provides a steady flow of potential tenants. In the property investment world, finding the right location is half the battle won. Consider Gloucester for its vibrant opportunities and future growth prospects. It's time to take advantage of what this city offers! #GloucesterInvestment #PropertyInvestingGloucester #GrowthPotential #UntappedPotential #InvestmentOpportunities

Thanks Ben. Good initiative + appreciate the thought leadership. Key question is 'Who is the end consumer?' + 'What is the need we're looking to satisfy?' High Density (HD) supply satisfies a need but is limited. Policies like this and the Housing Incentive Scheme are positive but very limited in their application to HD areas only, accounting for <10% of supply and not affordable. Flexibility is critical to these Policies enabling housing proposals that may not be strictly in a HD area but are inner city, close to transport, employment + essential services + satisfy a broader need and affordable. Key workers / young professionals typically single or dual person households are essential to service our local economy in health, aged care, education, hospitality, construction, working visa etc and must live close to employment, don't have a car but earn <$70,000pa which translates to a housing cost of <$500pw. There are over 2.5m persons in this category and it is now the highest growth segment. HD development alone cannot satisfy this need. We need some flexibility in these Policies to satisfy the need more broadly and to achieve their full intent.