THE VISION

This idea for a Home Zone in Wonford, Exeter, developed from a ‘Planning for Real’ exercise held in 2001. This discovered that the residents major concerns were about

about crime, the environment, and transport and traffic issues. These findings prompted the development of a ‘HOME ZONE’ - a concept that will bring the streets back into use for all the community in a way that could help tackle these issues and improve the quality of life in Wonford.

Community and designers wanted to move beyond a purely engineering approach to building the Home Zone and create attractive yet visually diverse streets through the use of quality design. Everyone involved has been keen that the scheme’s design should reflect the local distinctiveness of the area yet incorporate some innovative features, as it is the first of its kind in Devon.

The project will not only change the layout and levels of the streets in order to reduce speeding but will also use creative design features to achieve this. This will transform them into places where residents are encouraged to walk and cycle, in particular encouraging children to walk to the local school found close by.

To increase the feeling of safety for the residents, improvements will be made to the quality and quantity of street lighting. Combining this with the careful design of planting and street furniture will also address the social problems currently experience in these streets from drug dealing, vandalism and nuisance from local gangs.

An underlying aim for the Home Zone will be to embrace the goals for sustainable development. The project will accomplish this by maximising opportunities to source materials locally; use locally based firms and structures that require little maintenance. Social needs will also be progressed through the training of Home Zone residents in horticulture, funded by the Valley Regeneration Scheme and the City Council in the skills to look after trees)

The County Council has been able to realise this vision with the help of £725,000 from Government funding and through its own contribution of £250,000 (£50,000 of which is for improved lighting) to ensure excellence in the quality of the scheme.

ACHIEVING THE VISION

The designs for the Home Zone have evolved from a long process of consultation with the local residents. The community has helped to identify the problems, generate ideas and give their feedback on the resulting design solutions at a number of stages throughout the project. This has been made easier through contact with the ‘Wonford Home Zone Community Association’, set up with the help of the Home Zone Officer.

Partnership working with other groups/organisations has been key in progressing the project so far, these include Exeter City Council, Devon & Cornwall Police, Wonford’s TVRS Group (The Valley Regeneration Scheme), Bradley Rowe Middle School and Lacey Hickie & Caley during the early consultation phase. A close working relationship with the County Council’s designer and engineers has been essential in helping realise the communities design aspirations.