Community Design Vision Project for the Ouseburn

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Northern Architecture has today received news that we are amongst 13 organisations across the country to receive grants totalling £79,000 from Design Council CABE’s ‘Neighbourhood Projects Small Grants Programme’, to provide advice and support to community groups to help them improve design quality in neighbourhood projects.  

Northern Architecture will be working with the Ouseburn Trust to establish a design reference group made up of people who work, live and enjoy the Ouseburn and through a programme of activities and workshops, enable this group to develop their skills and knowledge of design quality in the built environment, using case studies of past, present and future developments in the Ouseburn area.  Local architects and developers involved in recent and proposed schemes in the Ouseburn will also be encouraged to get involved with the project by facilitating workshops, site visits and case study sessions.

The group will work towards producing the community design vision for the area, which can then be used by local developers to inform their schemes and as a tool for wider community engagement and consultation exercises, enabling the wider community; made up of businesses, residents and visitors to get involved in the development of new proposals.

The project in the Ouseburn will launch with an ‘open to all’ public event on 1st November  - find out more and book your place

Commenting on the outcome of the grant awards schemes, Diane Haigh, Director of Design Council CABE said: 

“Supporting communities in developing their own vision for their area is vital in ensuring that Britain’s new planning system empowers people and is truly accountable.”

Carol Botten Director of Northern Architecture said:

“We are delighted to have been successful in this grants programme that will enable us to work with the communities of the Ouseburn.  The Ouseburn is a unique and special place and providing this design support we hope to enable its communities to have a greater understanding of how good design can been achieved and more influence in conversations about future developments." 

Peter Kay from the Ouseburn Trust added:

“This partnership is an exciting opportunity for local communities to become involved in planning the future of the Ouseburn Valley and the Ouseburn Trust is thrilled to be working with Northern Architecture. We fully support the aims of greater community engagement and participation and look forward to working with businesses, visitors and residents to secure a sound future for the valley.” 

Projects are expected to be completed by Spring 2012; an event showcasing the outcomes and lessons learnt from each of the 13 successful projects will be held at the Design Council CABE in Summer 2012.

The grants are part of Design Council CABE’s commitment to supporting initiatives to promote the value of good design in businesses and communities.

 

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