Ideas flowing for Cultural Quarter plans (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Ideas flowing for Cultural Quarter plans

September 16, 2008 12:00 AM

Councillors met again yesterday evening to continue developing plans for a 'Cultural Quarter' to incorporate the National Railway Museum, York Railway station, the Minster, Central Library and the Theatre Royal.

At its meeting yesterday, the Cultural Quarter Scrutiny Committee discussed similar projects which had been developed in other cities, to provide ideas for developing a Cultural Quarter in York. Each committee member looked in detail at an example of a Cultural Quarter in another town or city. These included Leicester, Belfast, Wolverhampton, Glasgow, Brighton and Doncaster.

Cllr Hyman, a Liberal Democrat member of the Cultural Quarter Scrutiny Committee, said, "Some of these examples were not entirely comparable with York, as they involved a lot of regeneration of run down areas, and therefore huge sums of money, such as £140m in Leicester. Plans for the Cultural Quarter in York mainly involve working with existing buildings such as the Art Gallery and National Railway Museum, and our regeneration aspect of this project will be the edge of the York Central site. However, it was interesting for us to consider other examples and to learn for example, what partners were involved in these projects and in what ways they have been successful. This will help positively influence our plans here in York."

"It is important that we involve the public in the Cultural Quarter project, and the committee has therefore decided to set up a public meeting in November, which will give people the chance to ask questions and give their comments. Residents can also do this on the Council's website."

A public drop-in session has been organised for 4th November, between 4 and 8pm, to be held at the Central Library (tbc). Officers, councillors and representatives involved in the Cultural Quarter plans will be there to answer questions and provide information.

In the meantime, members of the committee will be visiting Newcastle to look at the Cultural Quarter which has been developed there, and to find out about it from officers at Newcastle City Council. They will also be meeting with stakeholders of the Cultural Quarter in York to discuss the project and tour the area.