General FAQ
Q: In view of the current financial crisis, will the money be available to complete the scheme, or will there be cutbacks, thus reducing quality and standards?
A: There is no doubt that the current global credit crunch is affecting us all; ESG is no exception. However, history shows us that economics moves in cycles, and whilst conditions are bad now, there will be an upturn. As the ESG project will still be on the drawing board for some time yet, we are not affected the way other cities are, where developments have already started. This means that we can position Hereford to be ready to benefit from the better times, and get all of our final preparations in place now.
The public funding from AWM is in place, as is Herefordshire Council's land bank, so we are fortunately able to get on with work on solving the flooding problem, designing roads and other preparations. We have also chosen our development partners with care – both Stanhope and Sanctuary are looking at the longer term view and have the experience to see through tough times.
Q: No one likes the name 'Edgar Street Grid'. In marketing terms, isn’t it vital to have a 'brand' name that the public can relate to?
A: At ESG we no longer refer to "Edgar Street Grid", just ESG. We are looking into what the names of the areas and new streets should be. When we have shortlists we will ask people what they think.
Q: What opportunities have the public had to have their say about the ESG proposals?
A: ESG started life when much consultation had already happened on the scheme, through the Council’s preparation of the development plan for the city – this included a public inquiry in 2005. We published a draft Masterplan in summer 2007, launched at the Courtyard and consulted on over many months – over 1000 people viewed the Masterplan model when on display in a city centre shop unit. We took on board many of your views and concerns, and the amended Masterplan was presented to a further public meeting in July 2008 at The Courtyard.
Where strategic decisions have already been made, there is still room for consultation on the details. ESG continues to offer opportunities for people to comment on issues, and ESG staff also attend events such as the recent Young Farmers Club rally to explain the scheme. Recent events have focused on the details of infrastructure schemes - for the link road, over 130 people attended a consultation event in July; and over 350 attended a three day event held at the Town Hall in September 09. For the flooding scheme, over 160 attended events held at Credenhill and Hereford.
Q: What happens now?
A: Consultation continues and we get down to the real nitty gritty of design work and preparing planning applications for each phase of the development. Planning applications for the flood alleviation scheme and link road have been submitted. The selected partner to develop the up to 1000 homes at the Urban Village was announced as Sanctuary Housing in summer 2008. There will be workshops covering various aspects of the work over the coming months. Again, you can register your interest in attending. To help broaden the scope of public involvement in the project, a Stakeholders Forum, with representatives from a cross-section of local groups, has been set up and meets regularly. Any organisation wanting to be represented on the Forum should contact julia@esgherefordshire.co.uk.
Q: Why is the ESG regeneration development happening?
A:In essence to support Hereford’s role in the County and beyond, by allowing the City to grow and prosper and re-establish as a leading city in the Marches. Hereford needs much more choice in retail terms, to stem the current ‘leakage’ in expenditure to other cities and towns beyond. This will keep the spending in the catchment, making Hereford a retail destination of choice, to the benefit of both old and new within the expanded city centre. There will also be other positive outcomes: flood alleviation; new transport infrastructure, including the new transport hub at the railway station; leisure facilities, including a new multi-screen cinema; and much needed new housing. The area’s historic heritage will also be acknowledged, through opening up the Blackfriars Friary area and introducing a new Canal Basin.
Q: Where does ESG fit into the wider context?
A: ESG is part of the wider Hereford City Regeneration Strategy and is working closely with Herefordshire Council, Hereford City Council and Hereford City Partnership to work together to regenerate the whole city. The bigger picture is found in the Council’s forward planning work, where Hereford is seen as a focus for housing, retail and office growth in the area. This reflects regional plans and the Government’s thinking for Hereford as a growth point – a focus for new housing and allied development. ESG supports this growth and the new infrastructure, such as a new river crossing, needed to deliver it.
Q: How much will ESG cost – and what value will it bring to the City?
A: The cost to the Council for running the ESG company is approximately £300,000 pa, so that the cost to each household works out at £3.75 pa approximately (£300,000 divided by ~80,000 households). The Council also contributes existing land assets to ESG as part of the project. It is projected that the total investment value of ESG when complete will be £650m. This equates to approximately £812,500 per household (based on ~80,000 households). In short, the scheme will produce a large value asset for relatively modest costs.
Q: How is ESG funded?
A: Primarily through Advantage West Midlands, who are making funding available to kick start until the project becomes self-funding. They have earmarked £20m over the whole project which is ring fenced for land assembly and development costs. Herefordshire Council provide funds for the company, as above, as well as land provision. Partners Sanctuary Housing and Stanhope plc bring in private funding that will enable the housing and retail/leisure developments to take place. Finally, a new government agency, the Homes and Communities Agency, has confirmed that it wishes to make a multi £m investment in the ESG project, by supporting infrastructure necessary for up to 1000 homes and subsidising the building of affordable new homes.
Q: Why a Higher Education facility? Surely this should not move from Aylestone Hill?
A: A new higher education facility meets many needs: providing student accommodation, for there is very little at present within the city; new teaching space; new core administrative spaces, and students union/ social facilities. It will help address business needs – for training, conference, workshop and nursery units. A facility within Hereford will allow those students who cannot afford to live away from home to continue with their studies.
We agree entirely that Aylestone Hill should continue. It is a wonderful facility. However at present, institutions such as the Arts Collage and the Robert Owens Society are disadvantaged by having no permanent base for degree level education. Students also have no modern purpose built accommodation. The Council and partners have decided that the former Boys’ Grammar School on Blackfriars Street will be ideal as a place to develop these facilities.
Q: How will you provide a reason for young people to stay in Herefordshire close to their families?
A: In addition to the new attractions which the city will have to offer, young people will have more opportunities to work, obtain a higher education and live within Hereford.
Also the evening and leisure economy will develop and overall there will be less need to travel to other cities when Hereford will have new facilities to offer right on the doorstep.
Q: What happens to Hereford United's Edgar Street stadium?
A: It remains where it is, directly adjacent to the new retail/leisure quarter on the old livestock market. This is a bonus for the regeneration project, as football fans will take the opportunity to shop and enjoy the other family style facilities the revitalised city centre will offer. ESG is talking to both the club and the company which will be redeveloping the ground about the commercial opportunities of redeveloping the stadium.