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The Vision And Objectives For Grantham

The new vision for Grantham in 2016 can be summarised as follows:

• Grantham for Growth….. A Bigger, Better and Balanced Town
• Grantham for Growth….. A Connected Town
• Grantham for Growth….. A Gateway to a Sustainable Future
• Grantham for Growth….. Benefits for All

In order to deliver the town's vision, we have identified six key objectives around which future investment and development should be themed.

• Objective 1 - Environmental Excellence and Sustainability
• Objective 2 - Sustainable Population Growth
• Objective 3 - Sustainable Economic Growth
• Objective 4 - Sustainable Transport Improvements
• Objective 5 - Developing the Town Centre's Retail, Leisure & Evening Economy
• Objective 6 - Improving Local Services and Community Infrastructure, Benefits for All and Regeneration

In July 2008, an extended Visioning Workshop was undertaken with a wide range of public and private sector partners. The workshop was facilitated by ATLAS and CABE and helped to refine our vision for the town and particularly the role which the two proposed urban extensions may play in its sustainable development. The updated PoD incorporates the outcomes of this workshop and further develops our shared vision for the future of the town.

Despite the impact of the 'credit crunch' and associated housing market downturn, we remain committed to deliver the scale of development set out in the original PoD by 2016. We have taken a realistic view on the market over the course of the next two to three years, and re-profiled the housing trajectory accordingly. In the period through to 2011, our priority is to address the policy, infrastructure and capacity blockages which will enable accelerated housing delivery to resume as market confidence returns.

We remain in close dialogue with partners at Lincoln, Newark and Gainsborough and are have established a dialogue around potential joint working and resource sharing opportunities on both a formal and informal basis.

The Visioning Workshop which took place in July also attracted key private sector stakeholders such as local businesses, landowners and developers. This process further strengthened our engagement with the sector, and has encouraged ongoing engagement with many of the participants.

There is considerable private sector investment allocated to the many of the growth point projects. This includes major transport infrastructure projects as well as smaller public realm projects such as 'Project Pretty' which has been launched by Grantham Business Club in response to dialogue with the Growth Point Team and allocation of funding by the Strategic Board.

Finally, it is critical that the private sector is able to effectively support the implementation of the Growth Point initiative through direct financial contributions as well as partnership working. Over the course of the next six months, we have committed to develop a clear strategy and policy for Section 106 contributions. This work will be undertaken in partnership with ATLAS and will involve engagement with key private sector partners, as well as drawing upon best practice work from the across the UK.

Importantly, the Growth Point Vision is aligned with the emerging Local Development Framework, to ensure that these two key documents work together to effectively coordinate and deliver a shared objective.

We have made the development of Green Infrastructure within the urban extensions and other Growth Point Areas a priority. Consultants have been commissioned to produce the Open Space and Green Infrastructure Study. Visioning work undertaken with CABE and ATLAS has emphasised the importance of Green Infrastructure linkages - particularly in connecting new urban extension sites to the heart of the town centre.. These interventions will provide opportunities for:

• cycling and walking linkages to be created,
• biodiversity to be strengthened and supported,
• the setting of the town and new developments to be transformed, and
• recreational environments to be created.

In addition, we propose to continue our engagement with CABE to ensure that design quality is embedded within all new Growth Point projects, including Building for Life and Code for Sustainable Homes.

Delivery against these six objectives will realise the vision of a Greater Grantham which is bigger, better and more balanced and contributes to both national and regional housing growth, environmental and economic development priorities and targets.

In order to develop and meet its potential, the town faces a series of key challenges such as:

• The retention of younger skilled workers;
• The provision of higher paid higher skilled jobs in knowledge based sectors;
• The need for a higher quality provision of commercial floorspace;
• Specific local transport and traffic issues and other local service improvements;
• A fragmented town centre offer; and
• The lack of affordable housing to meet all requirements.

If these challenges are addressed, the town could suitably accommodate significant and sustainable future growth, ensuring that Grantham fulfils its enormous potential as a location of choice for a wide range of people and businesses.