Looking at what you've already got
This step is a critical one and should be carried out with care. It will
help you establish what is and isn't physically possible to achieve on
the site, how the site is currently used and where the gaps in people's needs
lie, what elements are valued and should be kept or improved and what elements
might need to be removed.
Take time to have a close look around your site; if possible go at different
times of day and in different weather conditions. This will enable you to
see who uses the site, as well as how different conditions affect how and
when it is used. There are two main things to consider:
- Wildlife
- Local character
Wild and Woolly
One of the most important things to consider is what natural features are already present on site. This may include trees, ponds, shrubs, rough grassland, hedges or a wet, boggy area. These areas of green are often important to the local wildlife and your group may want to consider incorporating some of the sites existing features into the project design. It's also important to understand what wildlife uses or lives on the site as many animals, including badgers, otters, bats, reptiles, birds and great crested newts are protected by law. If you're not sure what you've got or you want some advice you can contact your local Wildlife Trust*
Green areas in our towns and cities are as valuable to us as they are to the wildlife that lives there. They give us places to relax, enjoy nature, escape the pressures of urban living, grow food and flowers and enhance the look and feel of our local neighbourhood. Ensuring our native wildlife and their habitats thrive through our towns and countryside means we can continue to enjoy it and that the delicate balance between many habitats and species that depend on each other is maintained. There are many ways to achieve this as part of a community project. Take a look at the Biodiversity page for more information.
Is it Local?*
Local distinctiveness is really about what makes your local neighbourhood
feel special to you and what sets it apart in your groups mind from other
places. It's also about making sure that new buildings and other facilities
sit comfortably in their local surroundings and don't look too much out of place.
Take a
look around the local area; what gives it its character? What makes it distinctive
or different?
If styles
of buildings or building materials (eg. slate, stone or red brick) add character
to your local area is it possible to include some of these elements in your
design?
Does your
area have links (historic or present) to specific industries or businesses?
If these are current businesses would they be interested in supporting your
project or supplying goods? Do you want to bring a 'flavour' of these into
your project site?
Are there
any historical figures associated with your neighbourhood? How could your
project reflect these links?
Does your
local area have any associations with the wider landscape (site of an old
wool mill etc.) and can you use this for inspiration in your design?
Does your
project site overlook a fantastic view, would you like to use this in your
design?
Are there
any specific plants or animals associated with your site? You may have a large
population of wild birds in your area or have special trees that you want
to incorporate into your design.
Is there
a special sense of community or a specific person who makes the area feel
different? Do you want your project to reflect this?
Local distinctiveness is about our relationship with places and how we feel about them. It can often be difficult to define as it's often about those everyday, ordinary things that we only notice once they're gone. They can be big things such as buildings or landscape, small things such as details on houses or types of bricks used; they can be seen or unseen such as dialects or musical traditions; they can be local traditions, myths, food, animals or plants. Importantly, local distinctiveness is what you, your group and local community think are the things that make your local area and project site special.
* - External Link