Field Lane
Field Lane Halifax: Transforming an Existing Estate into a Vibrant Community
Introduction: Field Lane estate, located in Halifax, is one of the three sites included in the Brighouse masterplan. While the estate is well-maintained, it lacks certain community infrastructure and has unique issues that need to be addressed. This article will explore the background of the estate, the unique issues it faces, and the proposed approach to transform it into a vibrant and mixed-income community.
Background: The Field Lane estate has a slowly growing population and is expected to increase by 2% in the next five years. Over 50% of households on the estate earn less than £30,000 a year. The surrounding area has a larger proportion of younger households and aspiring homemakers. The estate is conveniently situated, with a community hub, two secondary and primary schools nearby, and a high street and train station within a 20-minute walk.
However, the estate has a high concentration of 1-bedroom properties, leading to high turnover and increased neighborhood management time. There is a clear need to attract families and working professionals to create a more vibrant and mixed-income community. Opportunities: The proposed transformation of the Field Lane estate presents several opportunities:
- Creation of 66 new homes, including a mix of one-bedroom, two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and four-bedroom properties across 9 development sites.
- Selective demolition to address asset management issues and create more sustainable assets for the future.
- Improvement of community infrastructure, parking provision, bin storage, and safer routes and connections throughout the estate.
- Enhancement of existing green routes to improve connectivity and accessibility.
- Refurbishment of the existing community center into a two-storey building to provide more space for community activities and events.
- Creation of additional parking areas to address the parking needs of residents.
- Planting and landscaping to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the estate and create a more pleasant environment.
The transformation of Field Lane estate in Halifax presents an opportunity to create a vibrant and mixed-income community. By addressing the unique issues and implementing the proposed masterplan, the estate will become a more attractive and inclusive place to live, attracting families and working professionals. The improvements in community infrastructure, housing mix, and green spaces will contribute to the overall well-being and quality of life for the residents of Field Lane.