The proposed masterplan was carefully crafted by many hands building on the ideas suggested by the community during the consultation of 2019 and subsequent conversations conducted face to face and online in zoom webinars in June 2020. We also captured many of your feeling in the Kirkham Future film. An experienced team of consultants worked in close collaboration with Fylde Borough Council, Kirkham Town Council and Kirkham Business Group to develop the approach the Vision and the projects.
The collaboration between all the parties has been inspiring but we have a big constraints in what we would like to achieve in developing the vision due to the absent landlords who own PROPERTY but have no regard for the PLACE. Most notable example is the Market Square which requires regeneration of the 1960’s shops but has been opposed by the owner who was not willing to enter into discussions.This is a common barrier to regeneration and a problem that needs to be tackled nationally.
The aim of the masterplan is to invigorate the High Streets which is proving to be a moving target with Covid_19 and the recent flooding throwing new challenges at the community. But there are so many great ideas and hopefully if our bid is successful there will also be serious funding support.
Meanwhile , whilst we are waiting and crossing fingers for a positive outcome to the bid, we have loads to do setting up the Community Steering Group and delivering projects for the successful Heritage Action Zone bid which has funding for shopfront and public realm improvements, heritage and arts programme and setting up Kirkham Heritage and Eco Skills Centre at Hillside. Do please get involved- the regeneration will only be successful if people of Kirkham embrace it and
run with it.
Irena Bauman, Director of Bauman Lyons Architects
You can get register to get involved here.
You can read more about Irena's ideas on regeneration in this article.
