Heartlands Master Plan Development Phase

The consultation and community involvement undertaken during the Heartlands Development Phase has been an intensive but rewarding experience for everyone involved. The project has been enriched by the breadth and range of people consulted, each group, individual and organisation has brought considered opinion, enthusiasm and expertise to the process of naming and shaping Heartlands; to create an unrivalled inspirational cultural landscape the community can be proud of.

Who we worked with
Heartlands community-led project is supported by many local organisations and strategic development bodies eager to see the right regeneration project transform Pool, and none more so than the Carn Brea Regeneration Advisory Committee (CBRAC). For many years, from Heartlands initial conception back in 1988, the CBRAC have been central to driving forward the hope of creating an inspiring cultural landscape for this often neglected part of Cornwall. This community group, made up of local councillors and community representatives, businesses and residents of Pool is a key consultee and as such, has been closely involved with the selection of design professionals for the landscape elements, in creating a community vision for the scheme and in the development of the plans for Heartlands.

Above: CBRAC ‘mapping’ session with Heartlands community artist

To coincide with the design phases of concept, sketch plans and final master planning, Heartland’s devised a series of creative design workshop to involve young people in the design process from the outset. The day-long design sessions involved local artists, design professionals, historians and the vibrant Art and Design Department at Pool Business and Enterprise College. A group of thirty young people aged 13-14 years old participated to actively influence the Heartland’s designs in creative and imaginative ways. Inspiration came from a site visit to Heartland’s, presentation by ex- Robinsons Shaft miner Cllr Mark Kaczmarek, and the beautiful Trebah Gardens.

Young people also worked with Public Artist Anne Smyth on a series of ideas for colourful, temporary light projections on the landmark engine houses at Heartlands and nearby Mitchell Shaft. Working in collaboration with local lighting experts, the striking light projections raised local consciousness of the Heartlands project and successfully promoted the Heartlands Public Consultation Event at Cornwall College, Pool. The work culminated in a semi permanent rotating 20 metre high light projection inspired by tales of mining life and the work of young people of Pool Business and Enterprise College.

Above: Robinsons Lighting project, left and light projection, right The work of Heartlands demonstrates a commitment to working with and developing partnerships across the range of services and activities Heartlands will deliver. This includes working with Early Years Services, the Youth Service, Cultural organisations such as Cornwalls Art Centre Trust and the Cornish Audio Visual Archive (CAVA), the Education Sector, particularly Cornwall College and local schools and healthy living initiatives. Inclusive Heartlands will continue to work with organisations such as Disability Cornwall and the Sensory Trust, to address the needs of the marginalised and excluded, and will include the wider community in the design development phase, to ensure Heartlands is a positive and enjoyable experience for all visitors.
Above: Learning Disabilities Art group Right: Visually impaired Disability Cornwall member participating in the Public Consultation Event at Cornwall College.
Public Exhibitions and Events Additionally, a programme of intensive marketing, including a series of public consultation exhibitions has taken place over the past 8 months, aimed at the local and wider community to meet the design teams, view plans and ‘have their say’ on the Heartlands proposals. Approximately 7% of the local population turned out to visit the public displays, which included a Heartlands ‘road show’ in Tesco’s Pool.
Above: Heartlands Public Consultation Events Next Steps Heartlands master plan has evolved from a community desire for something significant and of exceptional quality to transform the heart of Pool, a project that will nurture economic regeneration, celebrate culture and heritage, and reinforce community values - with the people of Pool, Heartlands will deliver this. What would you visit Heartlands for? Results of questionnaire