Area Regeneration Framework

The Area Regeneration Framework sets out a Vision and a mechanism for delivering the objectives of Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company.

The Framework highlights the key strategic principles which underpins the work Gloucester Heritage URC. It identifies the key development sites which can deliver the GHURC objectives and the design principles which will deliver the heritage and environmental objectives ofthe GHURC.

Summary

‘To bring life back to historic areas of Gloucester, reflecting their special character while creating a new, prosperous, attractive, safe, sustainable urban centre for the 21st century’. GHURC mission Statement

Heritage URC

1.1 The designation of the ‘Heritage’ URC is underpinned by the existence of:

10 Conservation Areas, covering 88ha (24% of the GHURC area);
490 listed buildings, 37 grade I and 51 grade II*; and
33 Scheduled Ancient Monuments.

1.2 A core GHURC target was the repair and reuse of a number of listed buildings. Substantial progress has been made towards removing buildings from the ‘At Risk’ register however 36 buildings remain ‘At Risk’. There are also significant areas of brownfield land within the historic core of the city, much of it within designated Conservation Areas. Bringing these areas of brownfield land into reuse is therefore vital to delivering the heritage objectives of the GHURC.

Deprivation
1.3 Redeveloping brownfield land is also critical to addressing the wider social and economic problems within the GHURC area. Six of the ten ‘super output areas’ making up the GHURC area are within the 25% most deprived in England, and three are within the 10% most deprived. There is a particular need to address crime, employment and income, health and environmental issues within the GHURC area.

CRIME

Gloucester has the second highest crime rate in the South West (after Bristol);
There are particular problems with burglary, vehicle crime and youth crime;
There is significant fear of crime in the GHURC area.

INCOME AND EMPLOYMENT

Economic activity rates are lower than the county average;
Unemployment rates are higher than the city and county average;
Average incomes within the GHURC area are only 83% of the county average;
A higher proportion of GHURC residents (31%) have no recognised skills or qualifications.

HEALTH

12% of GHURC residents consider themselves to be in poor health;
22% have a ‘limiting long term illness’;
8% are economically inactive due to ‘permanent sickness or disability’;
Overall the figures are 30% worse than the county level.

HOUSING

4% of dwellings in the GHURC area are vacant, twice the level of Gloucester as a whole.

(The above baseline position in 2006)

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