Focus on Lache

Lache will get its own masterplan with a project starting this week working with residents to identify regeneration and improvements that can be made.

The masterplan will be written following an in-depth analysis of the area and consultation with residents. This will be followed by the development of design and development options, a testing of their feasibility and a final plan that will look to reflect local aspirations, while addressing design issues and describing the potential for private and public investment. The final plan is due for completion in early 2022.

Councillor Matt Bryan, Cabinet Member for Housing, Planning & Climate Emergency said: “Masterplans are the formal document to help identify improvements for an area. To be successful the plan must be a true reflection of the requirements and ideas of residents.”

“I am sure Lache residents will work with LDA Design to identify what can be done to make the most impact on their lives and improve the area.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council has commissioned LDA Design and their partners Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), Placed and Phil Jones Associates, to develop the plan for Lache.

During the first stage, starting this month and through to November, LDA Design want to hear from residents, this will include a series of pop-up events, surveys and workshops to enable local people to highlight issues and suggest ideas. Following this engagement, the proposals will be shared with residents later in the year.

As part of their work in Lache, the team have arranged a series of open community engagement sessions, the first is a pop-up stall outside the shops on Cliveden Road and Poplar Road on Thursday 7 October between 12.30 and 4.30pm.

Further workshops will be held at the Lache Community Centre on Hawthorn Road on Wednesday 3 November throughout the day. Registration and further details of the workshops can be found here: https://placed.org.uk/case_studies/lache-masterplan

The team are also working with local schools and youth groups to understand the views of young people in the area, while an online survey can be accessed here: https://www.surveylegend.com/s/3lew

The team will use the information gathered to inform the masterplan, which will be presented back to the community at a public exhibition in the new year.

Previous projects:

LDA Design have previously worked on a community-led masterplan for the Claremont neighbourhood in Blackpool. The proposals aimed to bring life back to Claremont’s streets and boost civic pride, as well as tackling issues of connectivity and housing quality. The shared vision was shaped by the residents, businesses, and young people of the area.

The project included several workshops and drop-in sessions to fully involve the community in the process, including young people aged between five and twelve years old, who were asked what they thought could be improved in their community. This identified safety, sustainability, green spaces and community events which topped the list.

The masterplan was used as part of a business case to attract funding from the Central Government for housing developments and environmental enhancements in the area.

LDA Design’s partners, Placed, have also led the community consultation with One Manchester on a three-year estate regeneration programme, working closely with residents. Engagement included pop-up events on the estate with their campervan “Ed”; drop-in sessions at community centres; workshops with primary schools; and development workshops.

Covid-19 required greater innovation in the approach to the project, which led to the creation of a website to continue the discussions virtually. This included an interactive map allowing residents to leave location specific comments, an ideas wall where people shared their thoughts on emerging ideas and design principals, as well as a survey.