Renfrewshire Council

Johnstone Town Centre Strategy EQIA

Part 1: Initial Screening

1. Officer and Department responsible for completing the Assessment

Judith Chalmers, Development and Housing Services

2. Name of policy, strategy or project

Johnstone Town Centre Strategy

3. What is the main purpose or aims of the policy, strategy or project

The Johnstone Town Centre Strategy identifies the role, strengths and potential opportunities for Johnstone Town Centre. There is an Action Plan which highlights areas of opportunities for development and/ or improvements/ enhancements. The strategy does not prescriptively set out what is going to happen and where. The intention of the Strategy is to gauge what the community/ stakeholders of Johnstone think of Johnstone Town Centre, where development could go and what they would like to see happen or areas they would like to protect.

The Town Centre Strategy is required to comply with Scottish Planning Policy (SPP). Every town and village centre in Renfrewshire requires a centre strategy to be completed in accordance with SPP. Each centre strategy sets out the spatial elements of the centre, indicating how the centre can accommodate development, the changing trends and the identification of opportunities.

Each Centre Strategy will be continually monitored and the health of each centre recorded. Health checks of each centre's performance will be required every two years and updates to the centre strategy will be undertaken as and when required.

4. Who will be the beneficiaries of the policy/ strategy/ project?

Strategy will benefit developers, stakeholders and town centre users

5. Has the policy/ strategy/ project been explained to those it might affect directly or indirectly?

This is a draft strategy and following board approval the Town Centre Strategy will form the basis of consultation with local communities and key stakeholders, including those users that the strategy might affect directly or indirectly.

6. Have you consulted on the policy?

The Town Centre Strategy will form the basis of consultation with local communities and key stakeholders. The Strategy sets out a series of questions which seek views on the areas for enhancement, priorities for action and opportunities for change.

7. Impact on Equality Target Group

The policy/strategy/project could have a positive impact on any of the equality target groups or contributes to promoting equality, equal opportunities and improving relations with equality target groups.

The policy/strategy/project could have a negative impact on any equality target groups. If the impact is high a full EIA should be completed.

Race no impact

There are no concerns that improving the town centre could have a differential impact on racial groups. Strengthening the role of the town centre is of benefit to the whole community.

Sex - low positive impact

Johnstone Town Centre has a distinctive character set around the traditional grid pattern streets interspaced with public spaces and squares. Investment in these public spaces such as at Houston and Ludovic Squares has seen safe connections to and through these areas with good well lit and overlooked space for all to use. The recent significant investment at the Johnstone town Hall Hub is another good addition to Johnstone which focuses services and facilities in a centralised area with good/ safe access to this hub. The town centre strategy aims to build on this well planned centre which will be beneficial for men and women alike.

Disability - low positive impact

In line with the Equality Act 2010 disability access in the town centre is a key consideration. Current investment in and around the town centre has improved pedestrian connections and when the new Town Hall is completed in the summer of 2015 it will make it easier for people to gain access to the services available in the town centre. Any further improvements to the town centre will provide benefits to people who have a disability as attention will be given to ensure there is suitable access for all groups including those who are physically or visually impaired.

Religion - no impact

There are no concerns that improving the town centre could have a differential impact on religious groups. Strengthening the role of the town centre is of benefit to the whole community.

Sexual orientation - no impact

There are no concerns that improving the town centre could have a differential impact on people who have different sexual orientations. Strengthening the role of the town centre is of benefit to the whole community

Age - low positive impact

Johnstone town centre supports a good mix of independent and multiple shops, and performs key civic and cultural roles through its town hall, library and Council offices. A further increase in retail and commercial offerings would benefit a wider audience. Strengthening the role of the town centre may provide particular benefits to those who rely on public transport such as the elderly, those on low incomes, young people and those with disabilities. Recent investment in and around the town centre has improved pedestrian connections making it easier for people to gain access to the services available in the town centre Further improvements to the physical environment will also benefit people pushing wheeled equipment such as prams and wheelchair users.

Gender reassignment - no impact

 

Marriage and civil partnership - no impact

 

Pregnancy and maternity - no impact

 

8. How this policy benefits the equality target groups identified in Section 7

Any changes to the town centre will be designed to be as inclusive as possible and address equality issues through improvements in design and layout.

9. If there is a negative impact on any of the equality target groups, is the impact intended or legal?

No negative impacts identified

10. What actions could be taken to amend the policy/strategy/project to minimise any impact identified?

Once the first stage of consultation has been carried out the strategy can be amended to take account of all stakeholders comments and additions where appropriate.

11. If there is no evidence that the policy/strategy/project promotes equality, equal opportunities or improves relations within equality target groups, what amendments could be made to achieve this?

Not Applicable

12. How will the policy/strategy/project be implemented including any necessary training?

Consultation will be undertaken on the Johnstone Town Centre Strategy to seek residents, developers and stakeholders views. Following this consultation period the Strategy will be reported back to the Planning and Property Policy Board before being published on the Council's website.

13. Full assessment necessary?

No

14. Date completed 

26/2/15