Shape the future of Greenock
People in Greenock are being encouraged to help draw up plans for the regeneration of the town centre.
It follows the success of a four day charrette in Port Glasgow which resulted in a collaborative master plan for the area being created.
Now, Inverclyde Council and urban regeneration company, Riverside Inverclyde (ri), are inviting people and businesses in Greenock to take part in a similar event.
The event organisers will run sessions in early March with opportunities for people to shape the future of their town. All the workshops are open to all with no need to register in advance.
Chair of the newly created Greenock Town Centre Regeneration Forum and Deputy Leader of Inverclyde Council, Councillor Jim Clocherty, said: “The charrette offers lots of opportunities on different days for the public, local businesses and anyone else who is interested to get involved and have their say about the future of Greenock Town Centre. The charrette process doesn’t start with an existing plan and build from there. It starts with an opportunity for everyone to have their say in how the town centre can and should be developed for the feature.
“This is a genuine opportunity to make a real contribution to the town and I hope many people take part. It is open to all whether you are a born and bred Greenockian, if you’ve made Greenock their home or you are a visitor for leisure, work or study, we want to hear what you have to say.”
The charrette is sponsored by the Scottish Government and co-hosted by Riverside Inverclyde and Inverclyde Council as part of the town’s recently established regeneration forum.
Austin-Smith:Lord (Urban Designers and Architects) and Douglas Wheeler Associates (economic regeneration specialists) have been appointed to facilitate the charrette. The design team also includes property consultants Ryden, WAVEparticle (artists/facilitators), Gerry Grams (Architect and Urban Designer) and Transport Planning Ltd.
A charrette is an intensive consultation that includes planning workshops which engage local people in the design process for their community.
The design studio will be located at the Saloon in the Greenock Town Hall from Wednesday 2 to Friday 4 March, with a final exhibition in the Oak Mall on Saturday 5 March.
The public, designers and specialists will be working together, ‘hands on’, to prepare a long term vision, development framework and action plan for Greenock town centre. The ideas will be translated into plans and drawings. A report back session will take place in the Saloon at Greenock Town Hall on 10 March.
You can choose the event that suits you, as well as drop by the design studio between 11:30am and 5pm over the first three days to see the ideas’ wall. Design team members will be available to encourage feedback on, and refine, emerging proposals.
In preparation for the charrette, discussions and survey work have been already been undertaken and community activities have been organised by WAVEparticle in Greenock on 22 and 23 February.
WAVEparticle is an arts organisation which specialises in developing and delivering effective community engagement, by treating engagement as an art form.
Look out for WAVEparticle in the Oak Mall, Greenock and other places around the town in the days leading up to the charrette starting on 2 March. WAVEparticle is also undertaking activities at Clydeview Academy, Inverclyde Academy and Notre Dame High School and schools will be preparing material for display at the charrette.
Greenock charrette programme
Wednesday 2 March
Greenock 2026 setting the agenda
11am – 12.30pm
With school students/young people and material from pre-charrette activities.
Connecting Greenock – traffic and transport walkabout and workshop
11am – 1pm
Opportunity for agencies, Inverclyde Council officers and community representatives to take part in a walk and talk on the emerging transport challenges and opportunities.
Launch Events – pride in place
3:30 – 5pm & 7 – 9pm
Opportunity for everyone to view the initial exhibition, find out more about the event, help shape the agenda and take part in breakout discussions on:
• Community pride in place
• Places and buildings
• Connecting Greenock
• Business and investment
Thursday 3 March
Future Walk
Leaving the Saloon at Greenock Town Hall at 11am finishing 1pm
Walk and talk tour of Greenock town centre with local historian.
Public Agencies & Interested Parties Workshops
2 – 4:30pm
Opportunity for key agencies and Riverside Inverclyde (ri)/Inverclyde Council & officers/members to take part in group discussions on the emerging themes, challenges, ideas and the way forward.
Business and community workshop- mapping the ideas
7 – 9pm
Opportunity for business to discuss achievements, challenges, opportunities, emerging development framework and next steps.
Friday 4 March
Land/building owners and developers – investing in Greenock
10:30am – 12:30pm
Opportunity for businesses and individuals with an interest in regeneration and developing property and Riverside Inverclyde (ri)/Inverclyde Council officers to discuss challenges, opportunities, potential projects and a way forward.
One to one discussions
12:30 – 2pm
The design studio will be open to stakeholders and interested parties for final one to one discussions.
Saturday 5 March
Exhibition at The Oak Mall
The exhibition opens at 10am – 1pm in the events area at the Oak Mall
Opportunity for everyone to view how the exhibition has progressed, comment and ask questions.
Thursday 10 March
Final presentations – Greenock town centre vision, development framework and action plan
2 – 4pm and 7 – 9pm
This will be the final opportunity to hear a presentation of the proposals, with contributions from local people and to agree next steps.