As the largest engagement exercise ever undertaken in Epsom and Ewell draws to an end, we reflect on some of the emerging findings and big headlines.
Epsom & Ewell Borough Council launched Future40 in July 2018, a bold initiative to help create a new long-term vision for the borough. With so much going on in the world right now, both nationally and internationally, and with so many challenges to tackle in our day to day lives, it’s all too easy to feel despondent about the future.
Future40 is a great antidote to that, by focusing on the type of future that local people tell us they want for their borough, it is possible to translate this into an exciting vision for the future in which everyone can share and play a part in making happen.
Since the launch of Future40, thousands of local people have contributed their views in a variety of ways to the development of this vision. Through on-line and paper-based questionnaires, through workshops and events of all sizes, through one-to-one discussions on the street and outside shops and supermarkets, and even through post cards and works of art.
In terms of numbers, over 4,600 people have visited the dedicated future40.org website and more than 15,000 social media users have liked, shared and commented. Over 1,800 people have completed detailed questionnaires, and over 1,100 have been part of one to one or group engagement such as Future40 workshops.
The engagement process has meant that local people of all ages and from all backgrounds have stopped to think about the future for their borough – what they like best about the Epsom and Ewell they live in today, what they might like to change and what would make it an even better place in the future. This kind of thinking has unlocked memories of why people, or perhaps their parents or even their grandparents moved to Epsom and Ewell in the first place, recalling their first important impressions and seeing the community they live in through fresh eyes.
Pride and passion
The first thing is clear from the conversations that have taken place, is how much pride and passion local people feel for the borough and how intrigued they are about the opportunity to think about and shape its future. So, firstly, and perhaps most importantly, do local people want there to be a clear vision for the future of their borough? The feedback is a resounding YES!
Clean and green
It’s important when thinking about what you want in the future to start by thinking about what you like best about today? The views of local people on that question, can be summed up in one word, Green!
Our residents, business and visitors love the wonderful historic parks, well-maintained gardens and award-winning open spaces, conservation areas brimming with wildlife and biodiversity, the tree-lined streets, and beautiful flowerbeds and hanging baskets. They also really appreciate its great location where everything you might need is within easy reach. Just 8 miles or a short train ride to the City of London and the West End, equidistant from the UK’s two busiest airports, just a few minutes drive from the M25, and just 45 miles from the South Coast.
Local people also pointed to the fantastic education opportunities on offer, from the great local schools (17 of which are rated Outstanding by OFSTED), the highly regarded University of the Creative Arts, NESCOT one of the best performing Colleges in Surrey, and Laine Theatre Arts, where so many talented West End performers and national performing arts stars come from. It is perhaps not surprising therefore that Epsom and Ewell is rated top for educational attainment in Surrey which is already the best performing County in the country.
But, not everything was seen as rosy…
There is concern about the amount of traffic and traffic congestion on borough’s roads. The declining condition of some buildings and public spaces combined with the impact that the shift to on-line shopping is having on footfall and the vitality of our high streets. The lack of affordable housing for local residents and people in essential jobs is also a big issue for local people as well as the very short supply of affordable business space for new or fledgling companies.
Looking to the future, some clear themes shine through from the feedback we have received. Visually, “green“ continues to feature strongly in what people want for borough’s future along with an unambiguous thumbs up for “clean” and “attractive”. But people also described green and clean in environmental terms, with a focus on clean energy, greater use of sustainable transport, reducing the carbon footprint of our activities and contributing to improved air quality. Most people also want the borough to be an even safer place to live, work and study, and that includes being a great place to bring up a family.
Aspirations for the future
In terms of aspiration, there was a strong consensus that the borough should become an even more “prosperous”, “enterprising” and “vibrant” place for everyone. Central to this is capitalising on the deep well of creative talent that flows from our local University of the Creative Arts, and the UK’s only business school for the creative industries, and creative talent coming out of our local colleges and performance arts schools. This should mean an exciting future for the Epsom Playhouse, Bourne Hall and the soon to be opened Horton Chapel arts centre, as well as more opportunities for creative businesses to establish here and thrive.
However, people recognised that securing this level of vitality will need investment, including securing more affordable housing and workspaces, and higher quality design of our buildings and public spaces. This is needed to help boost footfall in our high streets and market places, attract new businesses and more exciting boutique retailers, and help retain the great talent and skills that have been nurtured here.
But in looking to the future, most people also wanted to recognise and promote pride in the borough’s rich history and heritage. A history as an important Market Town – a place long associated with the exchange of goods as well as the exchange of ideas and learning. In Tudor times, a place that King Henry VIII felt was so special that he chose it as the location of one of his most treasured palaces – the now lost, Nonsuch Palace. The borough’s history as a famous Georgian Spa Town where people flocked from London and further afield for a healthy retreat and for the restorative properties of its now world famous, Epsom Salts.
If that wasn’t enough to put the borough on the international map, you can turn to the borough’s exciting horseracing heritage dating back well before 1780 when the now world-renowned, Derby, was first run.
Health also strongly features in what local people want for their borough. A place that promotes both physical and mental wellbeing, with ready access to great medical, heath and wellbeing facilities and where people can look forward to a long and healthy life and where everyone can make the most of the opportunities that life has to offer.
A connected borough
Connectivity which is already a great strength for the borough, is also seen as a top priority for the future, including the opportunities that could arise from Cross Rail 2 with the promise of a faster and more frequent train services. Connectivity, in relation to having access to the fastest and best possible digital data infrastructure was also seen as a vital requirement for modern businesses and essential for creative industries. And connectivity in relation to easy access to everything on the door step, including improved walking and cycling routes and better disabled and access with for families with small children, and people connectivity, promoting an even greater sense of community spirit and neighbourliness.
Finally, local people want the borough to have a clear identity that distinguishes Epsom and Ewell from other places, that promotes its unique characteristics and what it has to offer and gives people a compelling reason to visit, shop, live, study and invest here.
So what happens next?
With the consultation now closed, the drafting process for a new vision is already well underway. It is intended to have a first draft available for further comment and suggestions later in the summer and then publish a final vision for Epsom and Ewell in the Autumn.
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My main issues are:
1) Transforming the town centre and 2) Increasing the availability of affordable housing.
We need to have more people living in or near the centre to increase footfall. This can be achieved by relocating retail units from Upper High Street to more central locations in the High street and West Street, then use the resulting vacant land for redevelopment for more housing, some of which needs to be affordable. Epsom has a number of empty units and more recent vacancies are being let to Vape shops and mobile repair outlets. Hardly a long term vision
Thanks for your comments, we really appreciate your views. These have been forwarded to the relevant teams.