Kendal Futures, the private/public sector regeneration partnership, has unveiled plans to develop a creative, high level Vision for the town.
With support and funding from several of Kendal’s major employers, land owners and other private sector organisations, the Vision will set out an exciting and compelling future for Kendal based on the principles of place-making and what makes Kendal special and unique.
Martyn Nicholson, Chair of Kendal Futures, said: ‘Kendal is a great place to live and work. The town offers a positive quality of life for many of our residents with quality businesses employing local people, a busy town centre, excellent cultural attractions and festivals and a strong education offer. However, Kendal needs to be ready to meet some future challenges and the Kendal Vision will consider what our town needs to support its future success and bring sustainable economic growth.’
Kendal Futures has appointed an award-winning, multi-disciplinary design team comprising landscape architects Farrer Huxley and architects and masterplanners JTP to deliver the Vision because of their strong track record in public engagement.
A public participation event will be held in the autumn to gain the views of the local community which will be fundamental to the development of the Vision. It will comprise hands-on planning workshops, walkabouts and open discussions.
The team will also be visiting and engaging with employers and businesses, local community groups and schools to gain the views and opinions of the town’s population.
“Our approach is focused on engaging collaboratively with key stakeholders and the wider community bringing local knowledge and creativity into the process,” said Charles Campion, Partner for Community Planning at JTP.
The Vision has been backed by Kendal’s public sector partners, Kendal Town Council, South Lakeland District Council and South Lakeland Local Committee (Cumbria County Council) who have all endorsed the approach and will also share their views, plans and aspirations for the town.
Mark Cropper, a member of the Kendal Futures Board, said: ‘The Vision is intended to enrich thinking and discussions about the town’s future ambitions. It will help the town to set priorities, raise aspirations and ensure we are ready to take advantage of new opportunities which benefit everyone. We encourage the public to get involved in our Community Participation Event and share their own views about life in Kendal.’
Members of the public can attend the Community Participation Event between Thursday 3rd October and Saturday 5th October at the Shakespeare Centre and the event will be widely publicised in the interim period.