INTERCONNECTIONS INTERCONNECTIONS

A GUIDE TO INTERCONNECTING
THE TWO PLACES OF SOWERBY
BRIDGE AND COPLEY VALLEY BY THE
We would like to thank

All the local residents who took part

LOCAL COMMUNITY OF THE AREA
Pupils and teachers from Bolton Brow Primary School & Copley Primary School
Young people and staff from the Sowerby Bridge Youth Group
Lindsay Smales
THINKING ABOUT HOW THEY WANT
Artists Catherine Sweeney and Gillian Brent
Poet James Nash
Chris Snell, Play England
TO LIVE WORK AND PLAY
AND EMBRACE ART AND NATURE
Calderdale College
Design Definition
Calderdale Council

TO CREATE A NEW PLACE AT THE

Access Moving Image
Norman Lane, Sowerby Bridge Community Forum
Rev James Allison, UCVR
Yorkshire Forward
HEART OF THE COMMUNITY

2008/09
Foreword Contents
is the largest
idg e Co ple y Va lle y Tr ansformational Project ed
The Sowerby Br
pe r Ca lde r Va lle y, wh ich will bring much need
Up
regeneration site in the to th e ar ea. The Council and Yo
rkshire Introduction
ily ho us ing
employment and fa m
e as be ing a ke y ec on omic contributor to not
sit
Forward see this flagship t also the Leeds City Re
gion. Design
Ca lde rdale dis tri ct , bu
only the
y,
wn s in the Upper Calder Valle
Sowerby Bridge, along
wi th its pa rtn er to
issance Identity
to Yo rk sh ire Fo rw ard’ s groundbreaking Rena
was the first to sign up e culmination
Th is tra ns formational project is th
Market Towns pr og ra m m e.
rk ing an d on ce complete will give Sowe
rby Play
ip wo
of six years of partnersh
life.
Bridge a new lease of Nature
rby
ct pr ov ide s a fa nt as tic opportunity for Sowe
oje
The transformational pr th e riv er side and create a new
mixed use
Connectivity
wi ll op en up
Bridge, one that
wi th hig h qu ali ty pu bli c realm, and improved
re
quarter in the town cent sta tio n. The transformational
project
pedestrian connectiv ity to th e ra ilw ay
r Valley Sustainability
th e as pir at ion s se t out in the Upper Calde th
will aim to deliv er
m en t wh ich wa s pr od uced following a 12 mon
cu
Renaissance Vision do m un itie s in the Upper Calder Va
lley.
th e loc al co m
consultation with
eing
d an d Ca lde rd ale Co uncil look forward to se
Both Yorkshire Forwar
e su cc essfu l de liv er y of this exciting project.
th
lderdale Council
lio Ho lder Regeneration & Development, Ca
rtfo
Cllr Amanda Byrne, Po
 Introduction
All ideas that
Interconnections engage the
d the local community emerged from
in generating design idea ork
Transformational Projec
s for the Sowerby Copley consultation w
d into
t. were combine
6 key
Visioning workshops an the following
d an Open Day were he themes:
with members of the lo ld
cal community focusin
on the design of the pu g
blic realm, gateways,
bridges and public art. In Design
spirational sessions wer
also delivered with two e Identity
primary schools from th
area to explore the pote e Play
ntial for designing and
developing playable sp
aces within the site and
Nature
evening workshops wer
e organised with the loca Connectivity
youth group that looked
specifically at the need
l Sustainability
for ‘hang out’ areas.

BLOM Pictometry 2007. © Copyright 2006, Pictometry International Corp.

A local college were also
involved in developing
potential proposals for
a brand and identity fo
the Sowerby Copley Tr r
ansformational Project.
2

3
4

5
 Design should focus on The use o
making the natural f local and
natural m
areas useable in term be explore aterials sh
s of seating, lighting, d, looking ould
have com into where
safety, walkways, obse e from, ho the materi
rvational platforms how long w they ha
ve been p
als
etc, and enhancing the they will la roduced,
natural beauty of the st etc.
site. Keeping th
e local cha
developm racter of th
ent. e area - se
nsitive
New bridges, footbrid
ges and gateways There is a
should be visually and desire for
mentally stimulating engage a communa
the use of public art an ll members l spaces w
d help the community of the com hich
munity.
to navigate the site. The publi
c realm m
representa ust have c
tive of the haracter a
carpet/tex area, with nd be
tiles, usin themes su
context, u g colours ch as
sing recyc that suit th
stone. led materi e
als and na
tural
6

7
 Identity Identity
This theme recognises that Sowerby Bridge
and Copley Valley are steeped in history
and that there is a local desire to build on
the existing heritage to help shape a new
identity for the development.
8

8
 Identity
Loca
l S pi
C om ri
mun t - Welcom
ity P ing
ride cter
s a chara ea
ha the a
r
rt w hich e of
ic A ativ
Publ represent Val
is
and u
Chi e local
mn h
eys istory
y Combination of old and new ,M
ills
ustr ,W
ire
e I nd s Wo
rk
il k s
g e Text wor
a ire
rit nd
He ool a ard w
W and
St

POEM
LOCAL
Up
he Bobbin
Wind T
y
up a ph r
e bobbin r
eog , Riv
e
Wind th p
h e b obbin u l G l
Win d t Clap ca ana
l l, C la p, Clap, o
L ,C
Pull, Pu ay
s
ceiling w
Point to ail
the floor R
Point to ow
o in t t o the wind
P
the door our kne
e
Point to s o n y
r hand
Put you 3
y o u c lap 1,2,
Now p
n d t h e bobbin u
Wi up
in d t h e bobbin
W

11
10
 ts
Key Poin

Identity h e rit a ge and c

ont empora
ry.
Key Points
w- e
n o f old and n o m munity.
u a t io n g c
Contin a stro
h m ak es them There could be a range of audiences and
whic
p r id e a nd spirit - econom
ic stakeholders for the new development, and the
Lo c al s oc io
ave identity of the new area needs to appeal to all
u rism would h of them.
of t o
nc o u r a gement
E he
f it s e s e n t ative of t Any identity must embrace the heritage of the area
bene repr
ar ac te r and be whilst still having an eye to the future, and reference
e ch local geography.
c a rt m ust hav
Publi nt
. c al e nvironme Target markets for the new development could include
area their lo ut forwa
rd
ro v e m ents to ity to p light industry and businesses, residents and tourists.
e imp ortun
p le w a nt to se o h a ve the opp People could engage with the new area and its facilities
Peo ant t
f ac ilitie s and w through the development of a brand for the project and
and the development.
ws.
their vie
12

13
 Play
The children and young people had lots of
creative ideas on how the environment in
and around the new development should
look and feel. They hope that it will be
designed with children and young people
in mind as an important part of the future
community.

15
14
 ou
y
e re r s ig nated
h
ew yo u a nd de s
ds er s ll
m
So use ation r Shelt raffiti wa
boa g
can agin a t e
im Sk

Les
s
play forma
Fu

able lised
tur

Adve spac
n
thrill turous a
eC

es
ing a nd
om

ctivit
ies
mu

l-
ni

l
tba
ty

sk e
, Ba ies
oe ing ctivit
n
Ca orts A
Sp
l e or ute
o

s
c
Cy ke R

terial
Shelters
e Play Hi
r

Creativ le
the

a
ut t to

i
Versat

ral M
oge
ll o ere

Climbing equipm
chi ewh

ent
and ZIP wire Hides and tree ho
Som

Natu
uses

17
16
 Key Poin
ts
Play Key Points
The child
setting a
ren see t
nd think
he whole
that man
site as a
natural
in the pla y of the b
yable sp uilt elem
be made aces and ents
from nat natu re reserv
Site could include less formalised playable and ston ural mat e should
e. erials su
c h a s wo
spaces with trees and other natural features od
such as boulders, where children have the The majo
rity of th
freedom to build and play using natural creative e childre
play and n enjoye
the deve d active
and found materials. to provid lo pment s and
e a rang h ould aim
physical e of adv
activities enturous
which st and thril
Due to the nature of the site the children imaginat re tc ling
ions - ke h their bod
activity b e n for per ies and
felt that a skateboard park could be ased fac manent
ilities. a nd flexib
designed to fit into the natural landscape le
with grassy banks and soft outline forms
rather than a hard edged urban concrete
construction.

19
18
 Ideas relating to nature were mentioned
by all stakeholder groups, in particular
the preservation and enhancement of the
natural environment.

21
20
 kers
w al fe Natu
sibl
e to Wildli ors Wetlaral
ce s Corrid nds
Ac

als
nh a nce can
Pr E
wi ovid
ldl e a
ife
ha
bit
at
Pu
bli
c Ar
tT
rai
ls
Family
Enjoyment

23
22
 Nature

Key Points
Key Points

The nature reserve could

incorporate a trail which
should be
easily accessible to wa
lkers and cyclists to be es to the na tu re re se rve could be marked by
place for relaxation an used as a Entranc
d leisure. ion boards
ulpture and interpretat
gateway features or sc
und.
Providing a wildlife ha
bitat – wildfife corrido ting wh at loc al sp ec ies of wildlife can be fo
rs, natural indica
wetlands. ture
yone realise that the na
These would help ever
ted as
Providing opportunities e is a sp ec ial pl ac e and should be respec
for learning e.g. public reserv
allotments, family enjo art trails,
yment. such.
The development shou
ld be
tand the value of the
accessible to walkers
and The community unders
nefits as
should be valued.
viron m en ta l, ec olo gic al and educational be
en
n
w it wo uld be a pla ce to escape from moder
well as ho
urban life.

25
24
 Connectivity
There is a need to improve physical
connections between Sowerby Bridge
and Copley Valley and develop stronger
links to the Upper Calder Valley
renaissance initiative.

27
26
 develop
s
Valley w tronger links t
o
initiati ide renaissanc the
ve e
Trail - F
o
cycle tr llow the river, c
s
ac a
informa ks. Along the nal
w

t w
in unex ion, images an ay find
ie

pected p d stories
v

Educati la c e s .
o
Wayfin nal and
us

ding too
l.
Gorgeo

Trail – ent At
movemh Vi trac
s
throug ce t
De itors
the spa s
Sa tina
Li fe, W tion
tR e
ou ll
te s

More cy wayfind
c
next to t le paths ing too
he river ls

29
28
 Connectivity ints
Key Po

Key Points n in
e a n d it s positio
f the sit e an
t o t h e nature o w e rby Bridg
It would be highly desir Due an d S o new
able to have safe, well o Copley g for the
an alternative to Wakef lit routes as relation t p lan n in free
ield Road which childre r t a n t p a rt of the
c re a te s afe, traffic
people living in the ne n and young impo e to the
w residential developm lo p m e n t would b h e v all e y, linking
ent could use deve ss t nature
to walk or cycle to scho
ol, Sowerby Bridge an s a lo n g and acro a n a l, river and
destinations. d other rout e reas, c
nd play a hops.
resid e n tia l a
al s ch o ols and s
c
ith the lo
Young people want pl
aces where they can cy reserve w etter acces
s
a te b
cle safely for ld cre
pleasure.
fo r the site shou o uld have
an
p la n s n d s h
The anals a
rs and c '.
The site could be deve
loped to attract more vis to t h e riv e
s e o f 'w alkability
itors to the g se n
area and could becom
e a destination to visit interestin
outdoor spaces/ art spec wi th a cafe/
tacle/ play areas and wa
ter features.

31
30
 Sustainability
The majority of participants had a good
understanding of environmental issues
and were keen to explore the sustainability
of the developing site and community.

33
32
 Concern
units wi about how the in
a ting side. Potell look from the vdustrial
i n c o rpo r ntially u alley
e
e lan e. Low prof se:
Cycl ivers edg ile sedum
the r roofs ation
Vertical g
ardens Preservpansion
Solar pa
nels and ex re
Eco stati of natu
on and b
A ‘friend ike hire
r s o
for Natu f…’ associatio
igns fo
The des eme should re reser ve n
this sch ue,
be uniq mentally
environ able and
sustainry
visiona
on to h ire
o S t a t i
Ec om
bikes fr

Key Po
ints
e r a d i cal new
g
h i c h encoura a l b oundaries
w su
e so lutions sh i n g the u
“Crea ti v
k i n g by p u
r th i s scheme
f th i n sf o
ways o a t th e design s ustainab
le
an th ta lly
can me , en v i ronmen
que
are uni
ual”
and vis
st)
w e e ne y, Arti
ine S
(Cather

35
34
 Sustainability
Key Po
Sustain ints
a b
incorpo le design an
rating v
isual aed eco friendly
The des sthetics –
i.e. g r
environ igns for this sc een roo
fs.
mentall h em e sh
y sustain
Preserv able an ould be unique
ation an d vision ,
d expan ary.
Local c sion of
o m nature.
process munity part
to creat ic
e a sustipation – key to
ainable
Creatio
n o f commu whole
nature r a ‘f nity.
eserve. riends of’ asso
ciation
for the

ACCESS:
Prams
Pedestrian
Disabled
River Tourism
ion
Bridges Recreat
e Trail
Heritag

37
36
Poem Dvd
lley
C o p ley Va Beam and Yorkshire Fo
nd rward
r idge a e commissioned Access
o w e rb y B
t o t he edg Moving Image to
S e are eld, produce 2 short films:
n ear w and fi
o tic e h o w
r, w o o d
rb y B ridge,
Take
n , rive owe
en c ountry llage and S yield;
Of op y vi nature
e e n Cople s e s t o an d clin
gs
et w h o u ts ,
B
o o n the o ry haun riv er flow
s m d sings
How m u ch me b re e ze an
e a rte d
ow s, to ull-h Interconnections h
:
And h a n d gras blackbird f ug
e s ew. contributio n thro
To tre e where
a
s t the d D oc umenting
h e r o n g
ented
, consultation.
Down i ng am m ultation
ly m o r n
be au g
ere? the creative cons
In ear th a t magic n playing h be granted process.
ill re e
And w ies of child let each on ar,
c r on, ye
By the y s move o m y ear to ring too,
d a fr ou
As the his tapestry yet endeav f th e new.
in t and ads o
A life th e past, it h thre
g tur e w
Holdin in the fu What’s the story?
t c h
To sti An inside look at the
Sowerby Bridge
Copley Valley
e who
0 0 9 r b y Bridg Transformational
h2 ow e me
Jame
s Nas p ley and S d fears with Project. Providing an
o an
from C opes ads.'
all t he folk r ie s and h m y thre insight into the wider
k s t o m em o w er e
‘Than storie
s,
r word
s community’s hopes
r e d their e m . You
s h a
this p o and fears for the
duce
t o pr o development.