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Tomorrow’s Harlow – re-thinking Gibberd’s vision in the 21st century

On 18th June Harlow Renaissance hosted a one day symposium to debate the way in which Harlow should grow in the future. An invited audience of more than 60 professionals in the property and development industries gathered to pool their knowledge and expertise in a focussed discussion on the best ways that Harlow can grow. Its purpose was to stimulate some thoughts as a precursor to the launch of Harlow Council’s LDF ‘Issues and Options’ consultation in September as well as to develop broader thinking to influence future developments as to how Gibberd’s original principles can be applied in today’s context.

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The first draft of the Harlow Waterspace Strategy was recently completed by British Waterways and Lathams Architects. Harlow Renaissance commissioned the Strategy in January 2010 in order to establish a sustainable vision for the 5 mile stretch of the River Stort Navigation between Roydon Mill and Harlow Mill. The primary aim of the study is to stimulate positive change and promote imaginative and appropriate development, whilst safeguarding the unique and distinctive character of the River Stort, which is an important natural resource and destination in its own right.

The Waterspace Strategy identifies a range of projects, from modest environmental improvements to more ambitious interventions, based around the following themes:
· Infrastructure, Access and Connectivity
· Image, Brand and Identity
· Ecology, Landscape and Conservation
· Leisure, Health and Well-being
· Education, Skills and Training

Examples of projects included in the Strategy include an international quality pedestrian bridge, to re-connect the river to the Town Park and beyond, and a Health and Wellbeing Centre, with links to the Harlow Outdoor Pursuits Centre, at Burnt Mill.

An ongoing programme of consultation has been established in order to involve and to obtain the views of the local community and key stakeholders. A copy of the draft document, together with a comments / feedback form, is available at www.lathamarchitects.co.uk/harlowwaterspacestrategy.

In July 2010 a detailed planning application for the Clifton Hatch project was submitted to Harlow Council. This marks the achievement of another key milestone in the delivery of the GAF II regeneration projects and follows the success of the Old Harlow project, which gained detailed planning consent in spring 2010. The detailed application is the result of a nine month engagement process with local residents, who worked with the development team at five public exhibition and consultation events. The scheme will deliver 28 housing units (12 flats and 16 houses) and 285 sqm of new retail facilities. Of the total number of new homes, 10 are affordable (36%) and 18 (64%) destined for private sale. The planning application is expected to be considered at the September 2010 Planning Committee, subject to fulfilment of statutory consultation requirements. If planning consent is granted in September 2010, then works on site are likely to start in early 2011 and completed by the beginning of 2012.

Twenty-nine highly decorated life-sized sheep and up to 8,000 lambs will flock to the Town Centre beginning at the end of July.

The Summertime Sheep Trail links the town’s newest arts studio and gallery, Gatehouse Arts, with the Gibberd Gallery in the Civic Centre, where an exhibition of Henry Moore sheep etchings, related sculptures, drawings and found objects will be on display through the end of October.

Most of the fibreglass sheep have been transformed into works of art by artists under the guidance of ACAVA, the organisation commissioned by Harlow Renaissance, Essex County Council, Harlow District and the Town Centre Partnership to create Gatehouse Arts. Other have been decorated by local children in a workshop held by The Water Gardens Shopping Centre. Harlow primary school children and visitors to the Town Centre will also be decorating the 8,000 lambs over the next three months.

Backers include main sponsor The Water Gardens, The Harvey Centre, Harlow Renaissance, Harlow Council, ACAVA, GlaxoSmithKline, Attwaters Solicitors, Specsavers, Yates’s, Changing Rooms, Esquires Coffee, Steve’s Ices, Tones Music, Café Elite, Nicholls Build and the Town Centre Partnership, which is leading the effort.

Harlow Renaissance is pleased to be sponsoring an exciting new Harlow competition to find budding entrepreneurs who have “the next big idea”. Launch Pad was the brainchild of Robert Ellice of Clarke Hillyer, a local entrepreneur who, having grown up and worked in the area, wanted to provide a platform for people from the district to showcase their business ideas and have the opportunity to develop and realise their dreams. His colleague Bryan Hunt has now turned that idea into reality bringing together a number of local businesses and organisations to provide expertise, skills and support. The winner will receive dedicated mentoring, advice and guidance from this panel of expert judges to help support them in successfully launching their business idea. The Harlow Star will be covering the whole competition including a feature on the winner and their idea. This support and publicity is worth in excess of £15,000, a sum out of reach of most small business start-ups.

The project also involves Harlow College, with media students videoing the business presentations. The judges are ready to listen to a pitch for any kind of business, but they must be convinced that there is a place for it in the market and that it will be a success. The strongest pitches will demonstrate a unique selling point or place in the market: an idea that serves a need like nothing else, scalability: something that can be scaled up to make real money or benefit a growing number of people and a route to market: a clear way the idea can be delivered and marketed.

Thirteen budding entrepreneurs have already submitted their business proposals. Launch Pad is open to anyone over the age of 16 living in Harlow or the surrounding district (including Epping, North Weald, Sawbridgeworth, Bishop’s Stortford and Stansted). Visit the Launch Pad website at http://www.launchpad-harlow.org/ to apply. Entries must be received by the beginning of September.

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