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Home Zones Guidance Consultation
6 Planning and Implementation
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Introduction
This part of the guidance focuses on the process of designing and implementing
Home Zones in Scotland. Although the detailed design of Home Zones will
vary widely, the process of developing proposals should follow a series
of key steps. These will help ensure that Home Zones achieve their wider
social and community objectives as well as ensuring that local authorities
are able to meet their statutory duties as defined in the Home Zones (Scotland)
(No 2) Regulations 2002. Central to the approach defined here is partnership
working and, in particular, the importance of involving the community
throughout the design and implementation process. It is important to be
realistic about the length of time that this process can take. Building
and maintaining momentum can be as much of a challenge as designing the
scheme itself.
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'Retrofit' and 'new build' schemes
6.1 The draft guidance makes a distinction between so-called 'retrofit'
schemes (i.e. schemes introduced to existing residential areas) and 'new build'
schemes (i.e. new housing developments that incorporate Home Zone principles
in their original design and layout). Furthermore, it is recognised that retrofit
schemes may be initiated by local authorities or by individual communities.
This document therefore provides guidance relating to:
- local authority led retrofit schemes;
- community led retrofit schemes; and
- new build schemes.
6.2 The guidance for each of these scenarios is structured around a set
of 'key steps' in the process. The importance of each step is explained, and
advice is provided on undertaking the different stages of the work. Key steps
in the process are cross referenced to the requirements of the Home Zone Regulations.
Local authority led 'retrofit' schemes
6.3 Local Authorities have initiated many of the projects that have emerged
to date. A number of schemes have been developed by other organisations such
as Housing Associations.
6.4 While Local Authorities are generally well placed to develop and implement
Home Zone schemes, success will depend on partnership working across council
departments and with external organisations. Even more critical is the need
for effective and continuing involvement of the community throughout the process
of design and implementation. This requires a creative approach to community
participation but is vital if the local people are to have a sense of ownership
of the Home Zone project and if wider community benefits are to be realised.
It is perhaps helpful to think of the Local Authority as a facilitator of the
process rather than simply as the deliverer of the finalised scheme.
Step 1 Promoting the Home Zones concept
6.5 This scenario is based on the assumption that the idea for the scheme
comes from within the local authority. The decision to explore the Home Zone
concept may reflect existing traffic, safety or community issues. As described
in Section 4, Home Zones are likely to be most applicable in well defined neighbourhoods
or where there is potential to generate a sense of community identity. Consideration
of the potential for Home Zones may also reflect wider environmental, housing
or transport initiatives.
6.6 A local authority may decide to develop a scheme within an established
area for a wide range of reasons, including:
- as part of a housing or environmental regeneration programme;
- to address specific social problems within an area;
- to address traffic or parking problems;
- to improve actual and perceived personal and road safety;
- to improve play facilities for local children.
6.7 The aims and objectives of the Home Zone should be defined clearly at
the outset of the project. These will provide the basis for appraising options
and evaluating the implemented scheme. It will also help to ensure that partners
recognise their roles and responsibilities as the scheme progresses.
Step 2 Set up partnership
6.8 Having defined the concept, and identified an appropriate area, it is
important that local authorities seek to establish effective partners, who could
play a role in taking the process forward. Home Zones, by their very nature,
are likely to cross over the interests of a number of departments within a local
authority. Depending on the aims of the scheme, the following departments, divisions
or services may get involved in the process:
- transportation, roads and / or traffic;
- housing;
- environment;
- planning;
- regeneration;
- community services.
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Community involvement in the design process
The Home Zone in Magor village was initiated by the local authority.
Ensuring the full involvement of the community was a key consideration.
The timetable for involvement was as follows:
February 2000: local authority officers and a landscape architect spent
a day working with school children in a local school. That evening and
the following morning (Saturday) parents were invited to take part in
a community workshop. As a result of this exercise the landscape architect
drew up conceptual sketches which formed the basis of the outline design.
May 2000: A second exhibition with specific proposals and questions.
Some concern was raised over the safety of some of the features proposed,
but the majority were in favour.
June 2000: Meeting of a community liaison group to address business concerns
around the central square over the possible loss of trade.
October 2000: Firm details were presented at a third exhibition. This
was well attended and the community voted on the proposal. Again the majority
were in favour, but traders were still concerned, and some residents of
the Home Zone were concerned about details of the design outside their
homes.
March 2001: Viewing of the detailed design which was requested by residents
and traders.
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6.9 External agencies are also likely to have potential roles in the process.
These may include:
- community safety initiatives;
- Communities Scotland;
- Housing Associations;
- non-governmental organisations such as the Play Council Scotland, Save the
Children, etc.;
- local health board, local GPs etc;
- social inclusion partnerships or other local community support agencies;
- environmental regeneration groups, etc.;
- transport interest groups, etc.
6.10 One department of the local authority should take the lead. Although
the choice of lead department may reflect the particular objectives of the Home
Zone, planning departments are usually well placed to act as champion for the
'scheme' as a result of their cross-discipline approach.
Step 3 Initial community consultation
6.11 The next step is to take the idea of the Home Zone to the local community
where the scheme is proposed. The purpose of consultation at this stage is four
fold:
- to ensure that the community is encouraged to participate in the process
from the outset;
- to raise awareness of the meaning and principles of Home Zones amongst local
people;
- to gauge local views on the proposal and gather ideas on the way in which
the concept could be translated into action in the area; and
- to assemble baseline data on the area, perhaps through surveys or focus
group discussions which aim to establish ideas and opportunities, concerns,
and insights into the way in which the area is currently used.
6.12 Consultation at this stage may comprise a mix of meeting directly with
community members, holding open workshops and public meetings, or listening
sessions where people are encouraged to come along and view information and
report their views informally. It may also be useful to hold a community consultation
workshop or other event at this stage, although it may prove a more useful technique
at a later stage in the process.
6.13 It is important that more formal consultation is accompanied by novel
or imaginative events or techniques that involve a broader cross section of
the local community. Fun days or other special events have proved an effective
way of getting people involved in the process and encouraging them to think
differently about their local area.
Step 4 Formalise joint working
6.14 Having secured the support and involvement of the local community,
it is an appropriate point at which to establish a steering group for the project.
This should include local authority, partnership organisations and community
representatives. This will help to ensure that the process continues to be undertaken
in a co-ordinated way and that information flows are clear and effective. Representation
on the group, a chairperson, the place and frequency of meetings, etc. should
be agreed by partners at this stage. At this point it will be appropriate to
consider baseline monitoring to inform the design and to allow the implemented
scheme to be evaluated.
Special events can help raise awareness and interest in
the Home Zone project.
In the Methleys area of Leeds the local community
turfed the street for a weekend, helping people to think
differently about their local streets.
Step 5 Prepare an outline proposal
6.15 In order to provide a focus for the ideas which are emerging early
on in the process, it is recommended that an outline design for the scheme is
developed. A sketch plan should be developed at this stage setting out:
- the main concepts underlying the scheme;
- the current, or 'baseline' characteristics of the area, including any key
problem areas or pressure points;
- the broad components of the scheme including the extent to which it may
seek to change existing traffic flows, parking patterns, etc. or create new
public space or play facilities; and
- include any major changes to the area (e.g. new parking areas, road closures,
new development).
6.16 The plan should be accompanied by a written summary which clearly defines:
- the aims of the scheme;
- the likely key components;
- partner roles;
- community views;
- likely sources of support for the project;
- indicative timescale for implementation; and
- key steps remaining in the process of planning, design and implementation.
Outline proposals for the Alexander Terrace Home Zone in the Tillydrone area
of Aberdeen
include new access arrangements, gateways, parking and improvements to the central
play area.
6.17 Partner agencies and community representatives should be encouraged
to 'sign up' to this statement at this and the following stages in the process.
6.18 This is likely to be the point at which the local authority should
publish notification of its intention to designate a Home Zone under the terms
of the Home Zones (Scotland) (No 2) Regulations 2002 (see Section 3).
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