2016 Plans for Port Royal, the Eastern Town Architecture competition launched
On Wednesday 6th January, the District Council’s cabinet will be considering Port Royal:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: anticipating a Regeneration Board >>> ‘Scoping Report for the eastern end of Sidmouth’ to be presented to Cabinet >>> Wednesday 6th January
There are many imaginative ideas of what can be done with such a prime site – for example:
Futures Forum: Plans for Port Royal: ideas for ‘mixed use’ projects >>> >>> Burlington’s Lake Champlain
Meanwhile, an exciting new project is unfurling:
Reimagining Port Royal – Reimagining Port Royal
With a questionnaire to gauge public opinion and collect ideas:
Eastern Town Partnership – Reimagining Port Royal – Phase 1 Community Consultation Survey
The Herald carried the project on its front page today:
Breaking news & sport in Sidmouth | Sidmouth Herald
And here is the poster:
And the story has hit the Devonshire magazine:
An international architecture competition is being launched as a way to expand thinking around the redevelopment of Sidmouth’s eastern town and raise awareness of public opinion of how the area should be developed. This novel idea could raise the profile of the town and spark debate.
The competition will be organised and independently co-ordinated by Henry Beech Mole, Associate Director of local practice RBM Architects. He will be supported by local residents and representatives of key groups coming together to form the Eastern Town Partnership. Cathy Gardner and Marianne Rixson are pleased to give support to the project and will help put the group together, to advise on and guide the gathering of information and the development of the competition brief. “If you are approached by someone brandishing a clip board in the Port Royal or Mill Street area, please don’t turn away! We’d like as many people as possible to give their views and get involved in this project” said Cathy Gardner, “It’s also important that this project is seen as complementary to any work done for the Neighbourhood Plan, which will start early in 2016.”
“We hope to engage residents with proposals that we would not have come up with on our own”, said Marianne Rixson, “The opportunity to work with award-winning architects does not come along very often; it’s a great opportunity for Sidmouth”. Cathy and Marianne are two of the ward members representing Sidmouth on East Devon District Council.
This first phase of the project will be to gather data and opinions from local residents, community groups and businesses in order to develop a coherent and community-driven vision for the area. This will inform the development of the brief for an open international architecture competition, where architects, designers, and artists can propose a new vision for the eastern side of town.
Have your say here:
The information-gathering exercise will start immediately and continue into the New Year. The first consultation is now open online and closes on 31st January. To get involved please visit http://www.easterntownpartnership.com/ or contact henry@rbmarchitects.com
Architecture competition launched for Sidmouth’s eastern town | Devonshire Magazine