Community Led Planning Case Study

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Community Led Planning Case Study
Marsh Farm Community Development Trust
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What you will learn in this session

• Overview of Marsh Farm
• Overview of the Marsh Farm Community Development
  Trust
• Challenges
• Interventions
• Lessons learned

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Brief overview of Marsh Farm

• Population of 9,500
• Built in the 1970s
• Mix of private and council dwellings
• One upper school, two lower schools
• Diverse population

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Challenges facing the Trust

• Poor reputation of the area
• Poor relations with council lack of Trust
• Higher than average unemployment
• Lack of community facilities
• Fear of crime high (Actual crime low)
• Low levels of engagement e.g. no young person
  engaged in the community

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Background of the Trust

• The Marsh Farm Community Development Trust
  (MFCDT) was created in 2001 to develop the
  capacity of the community, regenerate the
  locality and build on the strength of the people.
  
• It is a partnership between local people and
  statutory and voluntary organisations

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Identifying the priorities

• Residents involved via Advisory Groups a Youth
  Forum and Environment Design Teams
• Open days
• Planning for real / Masterplanning events
• 10 year delivery plan produced
• Annual delivery plan with key priorities listed
  for each theme

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Measures taken by the Trust

• The regeneration of Marsh Farm is carried out by
  the Trust under six themes, which are -
• Business Employment
• Education
• Crime
• Environment Housing
• Health Wellbeing
• Capacity Building

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Some of the key projects

• Employment agency
• Bursary Scheme
• Wardens
• Lighting safety and security
• Environmental projects
• Community outreach
• Community chest

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Continued

• Business and enterprise Trial trading
• Involvement within the Trust board members
  Advisory Groups, Committees
• PR Marketing promoting the Trust / Events
• Masterplanning Design groups
• Community Enterprise centre

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Some key partners

• Local Authority
• PCT
• Police
• University
• Local School
• Voluntary Action Luton
• Businesses

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Lessons learned

• Capacity building
• / supporting individuals training and
  knowledge people move out / leave
• Community groups sustainability
• Organisations professionals need capacity
  building too !
• Ensuring organisations mainstream is a major
  challenge

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Lessons learned continued

• Different people different expectations
• Successful ways of engaging
• Youth engagement works well
• Residents quick wins are vital

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Urban V rural

• Places to meet
• Community champions
• Fluid communities /longevity
• Mentoring Support
• Neighbouring organisations
• Diversity
• Transport issues

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Any Questions?