Milton Keynes South Midlands and the Planning of Cultural Assets

Report for the Milton Keynes South Midlands Inter Regional Board

March 2008

Recommendation: The MKSM Inter Regional Board follow this framework document for the planning of cultural assets in the growth area that enables synergies and complementarities in cultural asset planning between the growth area and the West Midlands region.

Introduction

1.1       The significance and size of the Milton Keynes South Midlands (MKSM) growth area is of such significance that there will be a need for planning for cultural assets across the growth area to ensure the sustainability of the developments.

1.2       For the West Midlands region, the development of the population of the growth area is likely to lead to a growth potential for tourism businesses in much of the West Midlands region.

1.3       With established cultural and tourism assets in the West Midlands region with easy access to much of the growth area, MKSM could provide a new market for these businesses and venues. Not only would such a development be good for the West Midlands tourism economy, it would also aid the sustainability of the growth area, making MKSM an attractive location to live with quality of life amenities nearby.

1.4       However, planning of cultural assets in the growth area should be in sympathy with the economic needs of regions across the United Kingdom, including the neighbouring West Midlands. In addition, cultural asset planning in the growth area needs to utilise nearby established assets rather than detract from it to help establish the growth area as a location of choice in which to live.

1.5       Therefore the Business Voice WM – representing over 20 mainly business representative organisations – Advantage West Midlands and West Midlands Regional Assembly’s Planning Partnership propose to the MKSM Inter Regional Board that this framework document should be followed for the sustainable development of cultural assets in the growth area.

Framework for Delivery

2.1       The growth area and the West Midlands region share one area identified as the Oxford – Cotswolds – Stratford upon Avon tourism triangle. The planning of cultural assets need to be sensitive to these three points of tourism activity.

2.2       Any cultural asset planning in the growth area that attempts to duplicate established brands would cause confusion in the marketplace and would detract from the marketing of those brands.

2.3       However, assets could be developed in such a way that would complement access and establishment of existing brands, such as with hostels and clear public rights of way. Links between emerging cultural assets, such as art galleries and museums, if developed in the appropriate way, would enhance the attractiveness for tourists to the Oxford – Cotswolds – Stratford upon Avon tourism triangle.

2.4       As has been stated in an earlier Business Voice WM paper to the MKSM Inter Regional Board, Birmingham International Airport can be seen as the natural long haul aviation hub for the growth area.

2.5       Business venues such as the National Exhibition Centre and International Convention Centre in Birmingham and the Ricoh Arena in Coventry are ready made assets that would complement and assist the development of the growth area while helping the economic development of both the growth area and the West Midlands region. Therefore such business venues should be integrated in the planning of cultural assets in the growth area without the requirement for needless duplication.

2.6       The synergies and planning of cultural assets in the growth area with that of cultural assets in the West Midlands region are highly dependent on good and reliable road, rail, air and public transport links. Therefore such planning must take basic cognisance of this requirement and plan accordingly.

2.7       We welcome the mapping of existing cultural assets in the West Midlands region and in Northamptonshire. Such work is critical for future planning to take place. We propose that the results of such mapping work is shared across regional borders to assist joint working between the MKSM Inter Regional Board, Advantage West Midlands and the West Midlands Regional Assembly, especially in the context of the Phase Three review of the West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy, which is specifically considering the planning of cultural assets.

Summary of Framework Principles

3.1       In summary, we believe adoption of this framework document would:

·         Enhance the tourism triangle of the Oxford – Cotswolds – Stratford upon Avon triangle;

·         Existing business assets would support the development of the growth area;

·         Synergies with planning and marketing takes place between established cultural assets and emerging cultural assets in the growth area;

·         Planning of cultural assets in the growth area and its links with assets in the West Midlands are predicated on good and reliable road, rail, air and public transport links;

·         Planning of cultural assets in the growth area and its links with established assets in neighbouring regions takes place together across regional borders along with the sharing of information.

3.2       We believe adoption of this framework document, if accepted and implemented by the MKSM Inter Regional Board, would aid the long term sustainability of the growth area and assist the economic viability of the growth area and neighbouring regions.

Business Voice WM

Albert House

Quay Place

92/93 Edward Street

Birmingham

B1 2RA

T: 0121 245 0140

F: 0121 245 0141

E: info@businessvoicewm.org.uk

W: www.wmbusinesscouncil.org.uk