Erith Western Gateway
Erith Western Gateway Prize Draw Results
Thank you to all those who answered the Erith Western Gateway
Questionnaire. It proved a very successful exercise with over 400 respondents.
The prize was drawn by the Chair of the Erith Town Forum and the results were
announced at the Erith Town Forum on the 28th November. The winners were:
- 1st
Prize - Mrs H M Taylor
- 2nd prize - Ms E Ovba
- 3rd prize - Mrs V
Pattison
17 December 2007
Erith Western Gateway Questionnaire Report
Introduction and Background
The Erith Western Gateway (EWG) is a mixed use development
and regeneration project in the heart of the Erith Town Centre comprising of
13 identified sites. The Council is the majority landowner within the project
area and, with the support of English Partnerships and a number of public agencies
is currently marketing the EWG; with the intention of finding a development partner
to take forward the next step in regenerating Erith Town Centre. There
were a number of public consultations that informed the original EWG planning
brief that was adopted in 2004. Since then the area outlined in the brief
has been increased and design guidance encompassing the latest project area,
in the form of an Urban Design Study (UDS) has been developed and released to
the short listed developers.
The fundamental objectives, vision and aspirations detailed in the original
planning brief are still a core part of the current Urban Design Study. In
addition the Study outlines good practice across a number of design related principles
and supports a number of high, mandatory standards.
Latest Consultation
The Council is keen to raise the profile of the Erith Western
Gateway and ensure as many people as possible are aware of the project and
its vision. Officers from the Regeneration Unit set up a display stand with
copies of the Marketing Brief, Urban Design Study, EWG Bulletins and questionnaire
to garner public opinion and perceptions of Erith and the EWG. See below for
where and when this happened:
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Location
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Date
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Time
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Riverside Shopping Centre
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25/09/07
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9am - 5pm
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Morrisons
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27/09/07,
28/09/07,
20/10/07
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9am - 5pm,
11am - 8.30pm,
10am - 5pm
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Saint Fidelis Primary School
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17/10/07,
19/10/07
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NA,
presentation and Q & A to two year 5 classes
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These documents and the questionnaire were also made available on this website
to view/download between the 25th September and 20th November 2007.
 A copy of the Questionnaire is available here. (301KB, PDF file).
Snapshot of Responses
Respondent Statistics
Overall responses were very positive regarding what the Council is trying to
achieve. There was a good cover across most age groups. Of those
respondents 20% used the web (the highest user being 26-35yrs) with the other
80% returning hand filled questionnaires. The final count of responses
reached 440, indicating how important the EWG is to residents
and users of Erith Town Centre. 69% of all the respondents registered an
Erith postcode.
Best and Worst Features of Erith
The majority of the questions had tick box responses to enable a clearer analysis of people’s answers. Additionally, where appropriate there were free hand “other” boxes for answers/comments. When asked what the worst features of Erith were Residential (as in the look, standard of care and variety of local housing) was a clear leader at 51% and underlined the importance of design quality and long term management that the marketing particulars have highlighted.
Use of the Riverside
56% of the people polled do access the Riverside Gardens or Waterfront, this
included the Morrisons Pier which appeared to be a more popular riverside destination
than the Gardens. The reasons for not visiting the riverside; not enough
to do, feel intimidated/unsafe etc. again supported the Council’s drive
to create a more active riverside, drawing people to make proper use of Erith’s
most valuable asset.
Response to the Erith Western Gateway
A clear majority; 94% of respondents felt that the Erith Western Gateway would
be of benefit to the area. Opinions were varied as to which benefits the
gateway could secure with the highest percentage believing we could achieve a
more vibrant Town Centre and provide more opportunities for local people including
jobs. However, a further 56% to 60% focused on the potential to re-link
the town to the river, increase variety of leisure/retail and reduce anti-social
behaviour.
'Other' Additional Themes
25% of those completing a questionnaire wrote additional comments that included
suggestions such as boat trips or utilising the river ferry to Gravesend and
into London. The perception of Anti-social behaviour and the need to “design
out crime” in the Erith Western Gateway was also notable at 26%.
Next Steps
Once the short listed developers submit their final master plans the complex
process of assessing, negotiating and fine tuning the submissions to the point
of selecting the final partner will begin. The Council expects to hold
public exhibitions of the master plans early in the new year of 2008.
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