Upper Calder Valley Renaissance Masterplan Review Conference
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Upper Calder Valley Renaissance Masterplan Review Conference

Published on 26 June 2010

In 2002/3 JTP was commissioned by Yorkshire Forward to work with the local community to develop a new Vision and Renaissance Strategy for the Upper Calder Valley as part of the Renaissance Market Towns Programme.

John Thompson, Charles Campion and Debbie Radcliffe returned to the valley on 25/26 June to participate in the UCVR Masterplan Review Conference held at Mytholmroyd.

The team toured the valley to see first hand the impressive range of projects delivered over the last seven years and took park in the workshops and discussions to review the process so far.

Key points that emerged were:

  • The importance of focusing on strengthening the town centres as the focal points for serving the urban and rural communities and attracting visitors.
  • Public realm schemes including ‘Hebden Bridge Pedestrianisation' and ‘Mytholmroyd Shared Space' have transformed the atmosphere and attractiveness of these places.
  • The quality of restaurants and accommodation such as Dusty Miller, Moyles and Ted's House - with a focus on walking and heritage assets - will attract visitors to stay and spend money.
  • There is a need to continue striving to improve communication and participation strategies.
  • The impressive energies that people are putting into innovative community initiatives like Incredible Edible and Hebden Bridge Town Hall asset transfer are keys to building social capital and raising the area's profile nationally, attracting funding and keeping the renaissance going in cash strapped times.
  • There was a desire and need for a revisiting of the Vision for the valley and there are some key areas in the town centres to be masterplanned including those of Mytholmroyd and Todmorden.
  • You can download the project brochures produced by the Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward below:
  • Fielden Wharf in Todmorden
  • Mytholmroyd Shared Space and Enterprise Centre
  • Hebden Bridge Pedestrianisation
  • Ted Hughes' Birthplace

For more information about the Upper Calder Valley Renaissance, please view the documents in the downloads tab.

Related Projects
Upper Calder Valley,
Upper Calder Valley, UK
Regional City & Town Strategy
Stage: Masterplan