South West

Contact the partnership through Pippa Warin, Arts Council SW.

About the Region

The South West region is the largest geographical area in England, extending from Gloucestershire to Cornwall and the Scilly Islands.  A mainly rural region the main urban areas are Bristol, Plymouth, Bournemouth and Poole. The population of the region is about 5 million.

Tourism is a major economic contributor to the region making preservation of its varied landscape vital for ongoing success. The region has a large number of designated areas, ancient monuments and listed buildings. About 80% of the land in the South West is agricultural.

The South West has the lowest population density of the English regions. It also has the highest proportion of retired people with a slightly smaller proportion of working age people than the average in England.

For more information and facts see the Government office website for the South West.

 

Reports of Interest

Name: People, Places, Spaces
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Case Studies

Case study: The Campus, Weston-super-Mare

©David Morley Architects

What?

  • The Campus is a flagship building for North Somerset Council. Located in the new community in Weston-super-Mare
  • The building has enabled the Council to bring together a wide range of services including a sports and leisure centre; public library; community meeting spaces; community learning; conference venue; extended school provision and Council Connect services
  • The three main partners that share the facility are Herons’ Moor Community Primary School; Baytree SLD school; and the Directorate of Development and Environment

When?

©David Morley Architects
  • Both schools opened in September 2004 followed by Community areas in November 2004. The Campus was officially opened by The Princess Royal in October 2005

How?

  • As the new development of Locking Castle grew on the outskirts of Weston-super-Mare, North Somerset Council faced the challenge of how to cater for the needs of this community. Various resources were available for a variety of services including sports fields, a public library and primary school but none had been progressed
  • In 2001 the council decided to bring all of these and some additional services underneath one umbrella facility
  • The facility was The Campus, which opened in 2005

Summary

  • Since opening the Library has signed up more than 4000 new members
  • There were 160,000 visitors to the Community Services from April 07 – March 08 (including 40,000 who attended organised activity and 70,000 library visits)
  • A recent survey of users showed that 94% of users are either satisfied or very satisfied with The Campus overall

Following its opening the building has also received several awards including:

  • Royal Institute of British Architecture (RIBA) Wessex Region Winner 2006
  • Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) Festive Five Award 2006
  • Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (South West Region) Community Benefit Category 2006
  • Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (National Award) Community Benefit Category

Website

www.the-campus.org.uk

Contact

Paul Hillman

Tel: 01934 427427

Fax: 01934 427323

Email: campus.enquiries@n-somerset.gov.uk

Living places advice and guidance

Access practical advice and guidance in relation to living places programmes and the benefits.

Living places in action

living places has drawn together a number of case studies demonstrating successful programmes and the benefits.