The Baldock Conversation
Meeting with residents
This phase of the project’s engagement with residents began in earnest in March 2023, with two face to face events at the Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre.
These exhibition style events covered the background of the site, including its allocation and local policy, the master developer approach and Urban&Civic’s role within the project.
We asked residents their thoughts on the many themes surrounding growing a community; such as transport, education and ecology.
Meeting with residents
This phase of the project’s engagement with residents began in earnest in March 2023, with two face to face events at the Baldock Arts and Heritage Centre.
These exhibition style events covered the background of the site, including its allocation and local policy, the master developer approach and Urban&Civic’s role within the project.
We asked residents their thoughts on the many themes surrounding growing a community; such as transport, education and ecology.
Finding out what matters
Over 300 residents attended these events, with many viewing the information online and over 700 comments made. Almost half of the comments related to traffic concerns, a quarter were about a variety of topics on the growth of the community including schools and healthcare.
Sustainability comments covered the renewable features the new homes and buildings should include but the single topic with the most comments was the River Ivel and concerns about water supply and extraction.
Engaging the community
In the eight months between March and November, a number of meetings were arranged to better understand any concerns raised and to inform the plans. These included:
- Taking a stall at the Baldock Ecofest in May, meeting residents and answering questions
- Holding three Q&A sessions for the site’s direct neighbours (including Salisbury Road, Bygrave Road, Royston Road, Hillside Park). Over 70 attendees came and shared their views
- Several meetings with the Headmaster and the leadership team at The Knights Templar School as well as a session with the student Green Knights team on sustainability
- Drop in session for Ashwell residents; sharing the plans for Growing Baldock with the community there and also an opportunity to better understand the interconnections with Baldock for facilities and amenities and to inform some of the thinking about transport planning. Strong turnout of over 100 people across the four hour session.
- Regular presentations to the Baldock Community Forum including sessions on transport, education and green spaces
- Baldock Area Forum – U&C attendance to provide project overview and updates
- Meetings and site visits with local Councillors
- Meetings with local and National stakeholders
Engaging the community
In the eight months between March and November, a number of meetings were arranged to better understand any concerns raised and to inform the plans. These included:
- Taking a stall at the Baldock Ecofest in May, meeting residents and answering questions
- Holding three Q&A sessions for the site’s direct neighbours (including Salisbury Road, Bygrave Road, Royston Road, Hillside Park). Over 70 attendees came and shared their views
- Several meetings with the Headmaster and the leadership team at The Knights Templar School as well as a session with the student Green Knights team on sustainability
- Drop in session for Ashwell residents; sharing the plans for Growing Baldock with the community there and also an opportunity to better understand the interconnections with Baldock for facilities and amenities and to inform some of the thinking about transport planning. Strong turnout of over 100 people across the four hour session.
- Regular presentations to the Baldock Community Forum including sessions on transport, education and green spaces
- Baldock Area Forum – U&C attendance to provide project overview and updates
- Meetings and site visits with local Councillors
- Meetings with local and National stakeholders
Finding out what matters
Over 300 residents attended these events, with many viewing the information online and over 700 comments made. Almost half of the comments related to traffic concerns, a quarter were about a variety of topics on the growth of the community including schools and healthcare.
Sustainability comments covered the renewable features the new homes and buildings should include but the single topic with the most comments was the River Ivel and concerns about water supply and extraction.
Keep in touch
facebook.com/GrowingBaldock