During the Check-in (conducted from February to May 2025) residents shared a wide range of views. While many support regeneration in principle, they want to ensure it genuinely benefits current residents and preserves Church Street's unique identity. 854 residents took part, generating over 9,000 individual qualitative responses and more than 650 quantitative responses.

Key themes

Key themes which came up included: 

• Affordable homes – Widespread support, particularly for social rent. 
• Height and massing – Interest about the scale of future proposals. 
• Green space – Strong demand for accessible open spaces and play areas. 
• Shops – Questions about the role of existing businesses and future provision. 
• Parking – Questions around parking and traffic arrangements. 
• Open-plan homes – Aspirations around cultural and practical layouts. 
• Community identity – A clear desire to retain what makes Church Street special. 

Your feedback has helped us understand what matters most in regenerating Sites B and C. While many support the ambition to deliver new homes, you’ve made it clear: regeneration must deliver lasting benefits for the existing community. 

You told us you want

Your feedback has helped us understand what matters most in regenerating Sites B and C. While many support the ambition to deliver new homes, you’ve made it clear: regeneration must deliver lasting benefits for the existing community. 

• Homes that meet real needs: There is a strong call for larger family units, sensible layouts, and homes that reflect how people actually live – including multi- generational households. There was also strong support for better homes for current Sites B and C residents and more affordable homes for those waiting on the housing lists.
• Shops that are affordable and familiar: You want this space to reflect Church Street’s character.
• High standards of sustainability: Residents support improved energy efficiency and sustainable design, particularly where it could help lower energy bills and improve comfort. There was a clear desire for homes to be warm, well-insulated, and affordable to run.
• Green and communal spaces: Families want safe, green spaces where children can play, older people can sit, and neighbours can connect. You asked for communal gardens and more space for everyday social interaction.
• Market infrastructure: Church Street Market is central to local life. You asked us to provide adequate storage for traders, retain or improve pitch space, and ensure market access and visibility are protected.

Your feedback is helping us identify where improvements are needed and where proposals should be reconsidered.

• Height and scale: Some residents noted the need for careful consideration of height and massing of the future proposals.
• Daylight and comfort: There’s a strong desire to ensure natural light reaches homes and shared spaces. You told us this is essential to creating liveable, healthy homes for all generations.
• Home layouts that fit local needs: While some welcome open-plan living, others told us this may not suit larger families or cultural needs. There were requests for layouts that allow for privacy, separate cooking areas, and flexibility over time.
• Protecting what makes Church Street special: Many residents said that regeneration should enhance, not replace, the area’s distinct culture, diversity, and sense of community. There’s a desire to keep the local spirit alive through design, use of space, and support for local businesses.
• Affordability and inclusion: Above all, residents emphasised the importance of ensuring that new homes and shops remain accessible to current residents. There’s a clear message: regeneration should be something that everyone can benefit from.

In your words

Opportunitues

• Design homes with you, incorporating feedback into floorplans and communal design features.
• Deliver buildings that meet future climate targets and have low-energy homes.
• Create flexible shops that can support a changing mix of community-focused uses.

What happens next

We’re now launching a detailed co-design process for Sites B and C, and we want you to shape what comes next. Co-design means working together, residents, architect, and the Council, to make sure the final plans reflect your ideas, your concerns, and your hopes for Church Street.

What's coming up 

• July 2025: Launch events and recruitment for co-design workshops
• Autumn 2025: Themed workshops which will address the points raised during the Church Street Check-in
• Winter 2025/26: Community update
• February 2026: To move forward with next stage of design based on community feedback

How you can get involved

1. Join a co-design workshop a small group of residents who will work closely with the project team on specific themes.
2. Attend a workshop or drop-in session to contribute to ideas and designs.
3. Visit the Regeneration Space on Church Street to speak to staff, view materials, or share feedback in person.
4. Take part in surveys and online discussions via www.ChurchStreet.org

We want your help! 

We’re now launching a detailed co-design process for Sites B and C, and we want you to shape what comes next. You can get involved in several ways, including attending workshops that will look in detail at different parts of the design for Sites B and C. We are putting together a programme of these workshops, with the initial set running from September to December. People who participate in these workshops will be remunerated for their time. Along with these workshops, there will be many ways for you to have your say. If you would like to register your interest in participating in these initial workshops, please fill out the form here and submit by Friday 29th August.