Good News! The Regeneration project had its first big success in bringing in new funding to Hurst Farm. £25k grant was secured from the MHCLG 'Pocket Park' funding which will pay for the 1st phase of improvements to the Spider Park playground at 'The Orchard'. The funding will see the instalment of one new exciting 'high energy' group swing. The Pendulum swing will come with a versatile and inclusive basket seat. This swing seat allows gently and controlled access for young children and children with disabilities whilst offering exciting play experiences to older children and young people alone, or in groups.
The grant will also pay for the refurbishment of the existing equipment (a double swing and Spider climbing frame to be re-painted) and safety surfacing. It will also go towards the creation of a natural 'woodland' play and wildlife area.
Trees have been donated by Matlock Town Council and planted by volunteers from the estate, Denefield rangers, Church in the Peak and Groundwork. The grant will pay for native wildflower bulbs (Bluebells, Snowdrops, Anemone, Wild Garlic and Wild Daffodils) to be under planted among the new trees creating seasonal interest and increase wildlife.
Small pieces of low level timber play elements will be added. These include balancing beams, stepping logs and natural boulders. We hope that in years to come this space as it develops will become a setting for forest school activities that Friends of Hurst Farm and the Castle View Primary School are planning to hold on the estate.
We also received packets of native wildflower seeds from Kew Gardens and the 'Grow Wild' project. This will allow us to create a 'pilot' mini wildflower meadow of 60m2. This will be planted with the children of Castle View Primary School.
To have a look at the plans for Spider Park have a look here.
Derbyshire Dales District Council and the Friends of Hurst Farm are working with residents to find out how we can make Hurst Farm an even better place to live in the future. From June to September 2018 we undertook initial 'Planning for Real' consultation events on the estate. For this we used a 3D model of the estate made by the children of Castle View Primary School for residents to have their say.
The findings have been used as a basis to inform the beginning of our vision. It has given us an idea of the priorities and emerging projects that the community would like to see developed. The consultation finding have been collated in a report which you can access here.
To follow on form the first Phase of consultation we will be holding an exhibition of the draft vision and all emerging projects over the Easter weekend in April 2019. If you live on Hurst Farm then you are invited to join us, to give your feedback and help develop the projects you would like to see on the estate.
Derbyshire Dales District Council successfully made a bid for Government funding to work with the community of Hurst Farm Estate in Matlock to build a long term regeneration strategy.
We joined forces with Derbyshire Council for Voluntary Services (CVS) Waterloo Housing Group and the Friends of Hurst Farm to make the successful bid to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
The £100,000 from the Government's Estate Regeneration Fund, has helped us to appoint a regeneration manager to support a two year detailed feasibility study and masterplanning of the 600-home Matlock estate. The District Council has also provided an additional £21,525 from its Revenue Grants Unapplied Reserve to fund the strategy.
Separately, housing association Waterloo Housing Group has won £90,000 from the Estate Regeneration Fund to support the purchasing of specialist consultancy services to move forward the strategy for improvement of the estate.
This funding has been made available because the Government recognises that poor housing and neighbourhood design can significantly impact on life chances and that the estate regeneration process proposed and supported by the funding can offer a real opportunity to transform the way people live on Hurst Farm long term.
The study proposes to look at the many complex underlying issues on the estate. These include the physical infrastructure of the estate (parking, road surfacing, green spaces and maintenance), as well as the social issues such as health, fuel poverty, education and employment.
It aims to support the development of community assets like the community centre, the school and the social club and the creation of more local employment and training opportunities. It is envisioned that the resulting strategic plan and data will allow for future development to be more co-ordinated and will provide the evidence needed to apply for additional pots of funding to support the implementation of the strategy.
Marie Schmidt, a chartered landscape architect with experience in community regeneration, has been appointed as Estate Regeneration Manager. Marie reports to a project steering group and aims to work closely/hand-in-hand with the Friends of Hurst Farm, all the residents and stakeholders, to survey the estate, gather the required data and undertake consultation within the community to develop a new vision for the estate.
"It's great news regarding the regeneration funding and great news for the Hurst Farm Estate. Community spirit is at an all-time high and this just adds to that."
"Unsurprisingly, the Government awards have largely favoured urban areas, so it's especially pleasing that we have managed to win support for a rural district - and being among only three successful council bids in the whole of the East Midlands is a massive achievement.
"A considerable amount of resource has been put into Hurst Farm over the last 20 years by local authorities, the police, housing providers, health and the voluntary sector, resulting in some improvements. However, the estate remains a focus for many agencies, and part of the rationale for developing an estate regeneration project here is to address some of the underlying issues that affect the estate, and to find solutions to them."
"The agencies involved in this bid have already worked closely with Hurst Farm residents and the progressive Friends group and there is a general appreciation that investment is needed to provide the necessary knowledge of the issues facing the estate. Initially the regeneration funding will be used to support and engage with residents. In time it is hoped the project will be able to bid for and attract capital finance from a range of sources to deliver environmental improvements and community benefits on the estate."
Q1.1 Why is a regeneration strategy needed for Hurst Farm?
A: A regeneration strategy is formed through a consultation process with local residents and stakeholders. The resulting strategy becomes a joint vision for the community on how the estate, its infrastructure, services and opportunities are to be developed over 5-15years and this allows for a joined up approach. Having a clear strategic vision and masterplan provides all the information needed to plan the improvements and to apply for the relevant funding. Consultation data and well thought out project proposals increase the likelihood of securing funding manifold. A good strategy can therefore make a significant difference to the regeneration success of an estate.
Q1.2: Why do we need to spend money on a regeneration strategy and masterplan at all?
A: The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) made available funding as part of a new and ambitious estate regeneration programme. This funding supports councils, organisations and communities to employ a regeneration officer and together create innovative proposals for transformation. Hurst Farm was fortunate to be selected as one of only 100 estates in the UK to have this opportunity.
Unfortunately, this funding received for Hurst Farm is not for physical improvement projects.
Q1.3: What is a 'masterplan'?
A: A 'masterplan' is an overall development plan for the estate. It is a framework that sets out improvements to the issues residents have identified during a consultation process. The aim of a masterplan is to provide the business case to attract funding to pay for the physical improvement projects. A 'masterplan' is a way of consulting with and getting the whole community involved in deciding how an estate develops over the next 15-20 years. It creates a process that strengthens community ties and builds skills and capacity for change within a community.
Q1.4: What has Derbyshire Dales District Council done so far?
A: During the 1st year of the project Derbyshire Dales District Council have started to collate existing data and information for Hurst Farm in order to create a picture of 'what we already know' and 'what we need to find out'. We have also spoken with different stakeholders to build relationships and cross connection that will create the benefit of a more co-ordinated approach and bring about better delivery of services on the estate. We have completed the first phase of the community consultation in the summer of 2018 and are now preparing a draft vision which we will consult on during a 2nd consultation in April-June 2019.
Q1.5: Why are we working with FOHF, Social Club and Castle View School?
A: Derbyshire Dales District Council is working closely with the Friends of Hurst Farm, the Social Club and Castle View School to ensure the regeneration process stays as connected to the Hurst Farm community as possible. We have identified that Hurst Farm currently has few community assets beyond the community centre and Social Club. Through this process we would like to help the community develop more community accessible spaces and facilities on Hurst Farm and feel that FOHF, the Social Club and the school are great partners to team up with to achieve this.
View the report [PDF 1.44MB - pages 4-12] on the regeneration scheme - including an outline project plan - that was discussed by the District Council's Community & Environment Committee.
Q2.1: How will you communicate with residents?
A: During the lifespan of this regeneration project we will communicate with residents in various ways. There will be regular updates on the Derbyshire Dales District Council and Waterloo Housing websites and Facebook pages. We will also be contributing project updates to the Friends' quarterly newsletters and we will release information through the Friends' Facebook page.
Q2.2: How will I know what is going on?
A: If you want to receive regular information you can also sign up to receive regular updates digitally. Send your name, email, address and mobile phone number to enquiries.fofh@outlook.com to be signed up to the Hurst Farm mailing list. Also look out for consultation events that we will be running on the estate over the next year to ensure that you have your say in the process.
Q2.3: Where can I find more information?
Q2.4: Can I speak to someone that is independent and can offer advice?
A: Derbyshire Dales CVS has been appointed to be an independent body to work with FOHF and the Social Club. They can also offer free and confidential advice to residents and the community. You can get in contact on 01629812154 or look on their website. You can also contact the Citizens' Advice Bureau (CAB) at Matlock Town Hall for free and confidential information and support. Call the Telephone Advice Line 0300 456 8390 or drop-in Mon-Fri, 9.00am to 4.00pm.
Q3.1: What will the Council do if Government or other funding for regeneration projects becomes available before the Masterplan is completed?
A: Our aim for the project is to consult with the community and develop a shared vision together before we apply for funding. However, should Government, or other funding opportunities for regeneration projects become available before the masterplan is complete then we might apply to ensure that the estate does not lose out on these opportunities.
Q3.2: Can I get involved in community projects or events?
A: We are actively encouraging anyone who is interested to join in with the community projects and events. If you have skills, time, or just want to support your community feel free to contact marie.schmidt@derbyshiredales.gov.uk. There will be many exciting opportunities to come and we believe that the more Hurst Farm residents join in the more authentic the vision for Hurst Farm will become.
Q3.3: Does this funding mean I can apply for a grant to improve my home?
A: Not at the moment. This initial Government funding is to support the creation of a two-year feasibility study examining all the issues and challenges facing the Hurst Farm estate and its residents. The resulting strategic plan and data will allow for future development to be more co-ordinated and will provide the evidence needed to apply for further funding.
Q3.4: Will the roads on Hurst Farm be improved as part of this regeneration strategy and funding?
A: The consultation process that will form part of the regeneration strategy process will look at the existing infrastructure of the estate, such as the condition of the surfacing and parking. However, actual road improvements will only happen, if we can raise the funding for the work after the masterplan has been created and will depend on the quality of the evidence we can gather from the residents. If the state of the roads on the estate, or parking is an issue for you then please make sure that you add your voice during the consultation process.
If you have more questions please email... and we will add them to this list.