Improvements to the Public Realm in St Botolphs are a key strand to the Masterplan for this area.  A series of phased improvements are proposed aimed at linking the various component development schemes in St Botolphs together and enhancing and providing access to Colchester's current hidden heritage treasures including St Botolph's Priory, the Town Wall and Berryfield (the site of a Roman Mosaic).  Once completed the improvements will create a network of new pedestrian routes linking both the heritage assets in this area with the new developments including firstsite, the new facility for Visual Arts.

Phase One (year 2008/9 funding) was a complete review of previous design work within the vicinity of the Vusual Arts Facility, together with completion of a comprehensive landscape design.

Delivery in years two and three (2009/10 and 2010/11 funding) concerns the implementation of the above design proposals including:

• Implementation of both ahrd and soft landscaping improvements to East Hill access road, land surrounding VAF and the creation of a public realm link through the cultural quarter phase one.
• Implementation of a complete lighting package for the above areas.
• Introduction of creative/art features into the above areas through functional design.

Project Scope

• The development of part of Berryfield Park to create a new parkland setting for the new Visual Arts building with community access to new green spaces (the implementation of Berryfield Park has been phased as part of the site currently includes a temporary bus station. The bus station will be relocated as part of the Cultural Quarter development and the latter Park improvements can be carried out at that time)
• Following work undertaken by the Landscape Partnership, create improvements to St Botolphs Priory Gardens to enhance the presentation and accessibility of some of the most important historic remains in Colchester, whilst creating an attractive green space to support adjacent residential development
• Creation of an attractive shared space route to the Cultural Quarter from East Hill
• New innovative designs to Priory Street car park including a pedestrian link to Priory Gardens and the Cultural Quarter.

Aims of the Project

This Project will contribute towards the creation of a new green link which will eventually connect the green space at Abbey Field, the new housing development of 2,600 homes at the former Garrison site to the town centre via the key developments in the St Botolphs area.   This link will also contribute to the establishment of an historic arc which takes in a number of sites of national significance and runs from Gosbecks archaeological sites in the South to the newly discovered Roman circus, St Botolphs Priory, and the Castle and Castle Park.

These projects will contribute to enhancing the tourist experience in Colchester and regeneration in the town centre is expected to increase visitor numbers by 500,000 a year.

Outcomes of the Project

• Creation of a sustainable good quality public realm for the Colchester
• Better connectivity between areas of cultural and heritage importance, both historic structures and new architecture
• To provide additional accessible pedestrian routes through the St Botolphs area

Status

Funding for 2008/09 £400,000

Funding for 2009/10 £180,000

Funding for 2010/11 £220,000

IDP Package: Colchester Town Centre

Status as at 30 September 2008:

• Commenced and ongoing.
• Developed detailed project proposals for each project following stakeholder input and additional feasibility work.
• Project team established.

Status as at 31 December 2008:

• After reviewing public realm requirements, following discussions with the local school, means that some of the original plans are unable to proceed.
• Auto tracking works on access road stage one assessment complete.
• Design work continues for access road to firstsite building.

Status as at 31 March 2009:

• Topographical survey, landscape survey and some vehicle tracking assessments carried out.
• Landscape designers now in place.

Status as at 30 June 2009:

• Project officer in place.
• Consultation commenced in May for Priory Gardens, will complete 18 July.

Status as at 30 September 2009:

• Consultation on Priory Gardens completed in July.
• Essex County Council instructed to carry out detailed design work and consultations on Berryfield Park.
• Tender process completed in September for the St Botolph's regen area public realm design audit.

 Status as at 31 December 2009:

• Progress has been made in securing a consultant to carry out a complete design audit for the area.
• Tender for works to Priory sent out in December 2009.
• Planning permission delayed by Colchester Borough Council.
• Diocese and Scheduled Monument planning permissions granted.
• Significant design works completed in Berryfield detailed design and consultation.

Status as at 31 March 2010:

• Contractor appointed and commencement of works on site to Priory.
• Tenders received for phase one of the works to Berryfield and meeting held with school to discuss proposals.
• Design at Stage C+ for the public realm works.  Positive input received from stakeholder group and VAF funders group.

Status as at 30 June 2010:

• Design works ongoing but sign off at Stage D confirmed.
• Project officer continues to manage project team and respond to design issues.
• Planning application anticipated in September 2010.

 Status as at 30 September 2010:

• Soft landscaping works underway and some completed as part of a phased programme of implementation.
• Tenders for hard landscaping due October 2010.
• Promotion of tree sponsorship started with trees due to be planted late November.