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Newmarket Gateway Project |
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Friday, 27 August 2004 |
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The project involves the transformation of an area of waste ground (1.5 hectares) close to an operational quarry into a community garden where local school children can study the diverse wildlife in the area and local residents can sit and enjoy the natural environment.
Overview
PROJECT SUMMARY
The project involves the transformation of an area of waste ground (1.5 hectares) close to an operational quarry into a community garden where local school children can study the diverse wildlife in the area and local residents can sit and enjoy the natural environment. Local botanists will plant indigenous species and work closely with the school to develop education packs and information boards on the site. The gardens will be used as an educational resource throughout the year for local schools and the youth club and will encourage wildlife previously dispossessed during quarrying and dumping activity to return to the area, increasing biodiversity.
KEY PARTNERS
Newmarket Gateway Project Team
Local Enterprise Company
Scottish Natural Heritage
Stornoway Amenity Trust
Local Councillors (Blackwater & Laxdale areas)
FUNDERS
Forward Scotland (CERS) - £30,000
SNH General Fund - £10,000
Forestry Commission - £5,000
Disability Scotland - £4,000
Cooperative - £5,000
Fresh Futures (Transforming Your Space) - £40,000
Better Neighbourhood Funds Scheme - £10,000
Western Isles Enterprise - £38,000
Leader Plus - £45,000
Local Authority (Stornoway) - £40,000
Plan
NEED
The need for the project has been established due to a number of factors:
- there is no outdoor recreational provision in Laxdale/Newmarket, which has a population of 1,000;
- the site is currently in an unsightly state, opposite social housing and in a prominent location forming the gateway to Laxdale and the town of Stornoway;
- recent falling community spirit in Laxdale due to the expansion of Stornoway.
Evidence of need has been demonstrated by:
- community consultation process led by local Councillor;
- community council minutes highlighting the play area and community gardens as long standing community aims; and
- the willingness of the community to form a local group specifically to take the project forward.
PURPOSE
The project will create a garden area and play park for the community to encourage appreciation of the natural environment through the creation of native wetland and woodland habitants. It is further anticipated to assist in restoring a sense of community by creating a space where all sectors of the community can meet and interact.
The project also has a physical regeneration purpose, as it will achieve visual improvements for locals and tourists alike.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
The main aims of this project are to:
- reclaim current wasteland for community and wider use including a much needed play park and garden area for the community;
- carry out major visual environmental improvements for locals and tourists alike;
- encourage appreciation of the natural environmental through creation of native wetland and woodland habitats and the provision of information/interpretive boards;
- restore a 'sense of community' through the project planning process and by creating a space where all sectors of the community can meet and interact; and
- greatly enhance road safety, with installation of traffic calming measures.
Completion of specific targets that will ensure achievement of aims encompass:
- successful completion of the building project;
- improved 'sense of community';
- level of facility usage by the general public;
- educational use of facilities by local school; and
- indicative results of traffic calming measures.
Progress
GETTING ESTABLISHED
The Newmarket Gateway Project Team is a sub committee of the Laxdale Community Council which was set up specifically to manage this project. It took a total of 18 months of planning for the two phases of this project.
Phase One was completed in March 2004, and encompassed the excavation of the land and completion of the path network and kick-about areas.
Phase Two is expected to be completed by October 2004, and this will include the play area for toddlers to children up to 16 years of age, two bridges and two viewing platforms.
IMPLEMENTATION
Difficulties experienced by the Newmarket Gateway project team included:
- initial contamination concerns over the proposed landfill site for development. Consequently, SEPA were heavily involved in the project from the outset and contingency plans were set up; and
�- applications for funding were slower than anticipated which resulted in difficulties in pulling the project together.
FUTURE STEPS
As the Newmarket Gateway project team work towards completion of the second phase, a number of steps are anticipated to be taken for progression including:
- employment of an individual on a part time basis (10/15 hours per week) for the upkeep of the area;
�- the project team will become a Company Limited by Guarantee so that there will be no personal liability of anyone on the team and to enable local management; and
�- the group will strive to attain support revenue funding from local authority.
Review
THE PROCESS
The Newmarket Gateway project team incorporates 17 local community members. The local councillor co-ordinates the activities of the team with the Laxdale Community Council and the project team further benefits from guidance by the Local Enterprise Company, Scottish Natural Heritage, the local Council, Stornoway Trust and Stornoway Amenity Trust.
Confidence in the group's working abilities has increased with the successful completion of various stages of the project. They have also engaged with a committee from Port of Ness in the north of the island which completed a similar project to learn from their experience, and have worked with the local Laxdale Primary School.
Strengths of the Newmarket Gateway project team include:
- Correct number of people on the committee (17 local persons); and
�- Efficient delegation of tasks throughout the committee, based on individuals' expertise and skills.
THE LESSONS
Factors that the Newmarket Gateway Project team deem pertinent to the successful progress of their project to date include:
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- the group's perseverance, patience, enthusiasm and a strong belief that the project would be successful;
�- working with a professional design consultant in drawing up the initial plan for the garden;
�- recruiting a full-time consultant to manage various aspects of the project; and
�- a good level of financial support from a range of funding bodies.
Pieces of advice considered relevant to other groups considering such a project include:
�- delegate responsibility for tasks among groups members, maximising use of the community's relevant skills and experience; and
- hire professional expertise where necessary.
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