Sunken Gardens Summary of public consultation results HTML version

The public consultation was open for 3 weeks from Monday 15th November to Monday 6th December 2021. The questionnaire was completed by 44 respondents with the majority providing additional comments alongside the multiple choice questions. The following summarises the responses and will provide important input into the next stage of design.

Existing site issues

On average the responses supported the existing site issues highlighted in the consultation. Safety and security was mentioned several times in the comments.

• Improving feelings of safety and security by:
  • Opening up views into the site
  • Providing lighting
  • Encouraging footfall through the site
  • Creating a more welcoming and inviting space
  • Improving connectivity
  • Improve perception of safety

Concept proposals

A large majority of respondents supported the proposals presented in the consultation. They ranked the proposals in the following order:

1. Southern Entrance
2. Play area
3. Sunken Gardens
4. Area to the east of the Sunken Gardens

Play proposals

Play proposal ranking:

1. Improved play offer
2. New site furniture e.g. seating, bins
3. Re-design of the play area layout
4. Improve planting

Play equipment ranking:

1. Replacement climbing structure and slide for younger children
2. Accessible roundabout
3. Accessible basket swing
4. More challenging play equipment for older children
5. More natural play elements e.g. stepping logs
6. Replacement toddler cradle swings

Key points from the comments:

• Accessible site and equipment
• Improve safety surface and introduce colour
• Connect play with rest of Sunken Gardens
• Improve boundary condition including fence and gates
• Benches for parents
• Improve visibility

Sensory landscape proposals

Sensory landscape proposal ranking:

1. Improved connectivity with surrounding areas e.g. play area
2. Sensory play elements e.g. musical play items
3. Wildflower meadow

Key points from the comments:

• Noise impact to neighbouring residents
• Sensory play should be year round
• Power point and water tap
• Pathways should be wheelchair accessible
• Repair or remove boundary walls

Sunken garden proposals

Sunken garden proposal ranking:

1. Opening up of views to discourage anti-social behaviour
2. New site furniture e.g. benches, bins
3. Re-surfaced pathways
4. Planting refurbishment
5. New feature tree to the central area

Key points from the comments:

• Improve lighting
• More facilities for disabled visitors
• Space for cafe/kiosk

Southern entrance proposals

A majority of respondents supported the proposal of a new southern entrance.

Other comments

• Directional signage for visitors
• Cafe kiosk positioned centrally
• Selective retention of existing trees and shrubs
• Rename site to commemorate Queen’s Platinum Jubilee

Question 1: Existing Site (Consultation Board 2)

Thinking about the existing site, do you agree with the issues and opportunities identified?

Bar chart shows the average number as 3.9

 

Question 2: Existing Site (Consultation Board 2)

Are there any other existing site issues or opportunities you feel need to be taken into account?

Selected comments:

• “Make as open as possible and make as unattractive to deter drugs, drinking and antisocial behaviour ...”
• “...lighting scheme to combat anti-social behaviour, encourage footflow and promote the Gardens as a safe and accessible gateway route...”
• “... Directional signs / notice board from the car park & from the promenade, add lighting plus infrastructure for power outlets for events & entertainment”
• “... Sensory musical elements may lead to increased noise for local residents”
• “... Infrastructure needs to be included for catering and entertainment. Built in power supply ...”
• “Drunks and druggies need to be discouraged”
• “... encourage the installation of lighting to improve perceptions of safety...”

 

Question 3: Concept Sketch Proposals (Consultation Board 3)

Do you support the concept design for the site?

Bar chart shows the average number as 3.7

 

Question 4: Concept Sketch Proposals (Consultation Board 3)

Which areas of the site do you feel should be prioritised for improvements? Rank in order of priority 1-4

Bar chart shows the following scores:

• Play area (Consultation Board 4): 2.7
• Area to the east of the Sunken Gardens (Consultation Board 4): 1.9
• Sunken Gardens (Consultation Board 5): 2.4
• Southern Entrance (Consultation Board 5): 2.8

 

Question 5: Play Area Proposals (Consultation Board 4)

Which of following improvements do you feel are most important? Rank in order of priority 1-4

Bar chart shows the following scores:

• Re-design of the play area layout: 2.4
• Improved play offer: 2.8
• New site furniture e.g. seating, bins: 2.6
• Improved planting: 2.1

 

Question 6: Play Area Proposals (Consultation Board 4)

Which of following improvements do you feel are most important? Rank in order of priority 1-4

Bar chart shows the following scores:

• Replacement toddler cradle swings: 3.2
• Replacement climbing structure and slide for younger children: 3.9
• Accessible basket swing: 3.45
• Accessible roundabout: 3.75
• More challenging play equipment for older children: 3.3
• More natural play elements e.g. stepping logs: 3.2

 

Question 7: Play Area Proposals (Consultation Board 4)

Are there any other improvements you would like to see to the play area? Please specify

Selected comments:

• “... with lovely grasses and some shrubs. Young children do not value the plants and trample them... put down safe and imaginative surfaces...”
• “... all of the play equipment made accessible ... unique selling point for the Town... disabled parking bays available opposite the entrance...”
• “... interactive and sensory panels... age-appropriate directional signage to encourage the movement of play area users across the whole Sunken Gardens site”
• “... Consideration of those children who do not normally have access to play equipment...”
• “A better design gates & fencing & lighting ...”
• “Parent meeting zone. Benches for chalk boards, potting plants, crafts, etc...”

 

Question 8: Sensory Landscape Proposals (Consultation Board 4)

Which of following improvements do you feel are most important? Rank in order of priority 1-3

Bar chart shows the following scores:

• Wildflower meadow: 1.7
• Sensory play elements e.g. musical play items: 2.1
• Improved connectivity with surrounding areas e.g. play area: 2.2

 

Question 9: Sensory Landscape Proposals (Consultation Board 4)

Are there any other improvements you would like to see to area east of the Sunken Gardens? Please specify

Selected comments:

• “... When planning serious play elements, the should not be too loud because so many people live in nearby flats...”
• “... West should also get the same treatment as the East in terms of accessibility and connectivity”
• “... A wildflower meadow, whilst a welcome opportunity to increase the site’s biodiversity and habitat provision, does not provide visual, aural, olfactory or haptic stimulation all year round whereas sensory play elements or improved connectivity should seek to deliver these improvements continuously... Mown pathways do not support inclusive  access... surfaced pathways are provided between elements...”
• “Infrastructure for power points & lighting Water supply to the whole site...”
• “Dislike the idea of paths cut in the “meadow” ...Not accessible to wheelchairs if wet and muddy...”
• “facilities for disabled children”
• “... removal of boundary walls / fences where they’re not relevant to safety.”

 

Question 10: Sunken Gardens Proposals (Consultation Board 5)

Which of following improvements do you feel are most important? Rank in order of priority 1-5

Bar chart shows the following scores:

• Opening up of views to discourage antisocial behaviour: 4.2
• New site furniture e.g. benches, bins: 3.1
• Re-surfaced pathways: 2.4
• New feature tree to the central area: 1.4
• Planting refurbishment: 2.3

 

Question 11: Sunken Gardens Proposals (Consultation Board 5)

Are there any other improvements you would like to see to the Sunken Gardens? Please specify

Selected comments:

• “Antisocial behaviour is much less now...”
• “... the proposed introduction of an accessible southern entrance will create the opportunity for an accessible ‘journey’... introduce a lighting scheme to combat anti-social behaviour...”
• “Open up west wall opposite the new eastern entrance with another entrance...”
• “... more facilities for the disabled to be able to enjoy the area”
• “... space for the coffee bar on the eastern edge to allow additional constant visibility to the gardens...”
• “Open up some entrances along the eastern side...”

 

Question 12: Southern Entrance Proposals (Consultation Board 5)

Do you support the proposals for a new southern entrance to the Sunken Gardens?

Bar chart shows the average number as 4.2

 

Question 13: Overall

Do you have any other comments about the proposals you would like to share?

Selected comments:

• “Open as much as possible with no hidden spots”
• “... Litter is a constant problem... Social behaviour needs to be considered when making plans to change paths and entrances...”
• “... bedding plants are used to create floral displays... recognition of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, the gardens be renamed to commemorate this...”
• “... the connectivity to town centre, seafront & other key sites and inclusivity through a pedestrian/accessibility friendly, ‘people first’ approach... key gateway/link to the town centre...”
• “Do not think it necessary to add a mobile cafe...”
• “Play area seems dark and dingy . This area’s improvements should be addressed after the southern entrance as the second priority.”
• “Understand that the new Southern entrance would allow wheelchair access to the gardens, gentle slopes to allow access to all areas without losing the ‘sunken’ area which is the main attraction & difference of the space.”
• “It needs to have a much more inviting feel about it. I normally approach form the south and I don’t want to go into the gardens...”
• “Can we ensure that we don’t remove existing plants and trees unnecessarily,...”

Scoring Questions (Questions 1, 3 and 12)

Scoring questions are based on a sliding scale of 1-5, with 5 representing a strong level of support down to zero representing no support. An average score is then calculated from all responses received.

Qualitative Questions (Questions 2,7,9,11 and 13)

The word art is based on words that are most commonly mentioned in respondents comments. Those mentioned more frequently are shown in a larger font size. The is supplemented by selected quotations representative of the main issues raised.

Average Ranking Questions (Questions 4,5,6,8 and 10)

Ranking questions calculate the average ranking for each answer choice so you can determine which answer choice was most preferred overall. The answer choice with the largest average ranking is the most preferred choice.

Weights are applied in reverse. In other words, the respondent’s most preferred choice (which they rank as #1) has the largest weight, and their least preferred choice (which they rank in the last position) has a weight of 1.

For example, if a Ranking question has 5 answer choices, weights are assigned as follows:

• The #1 choice has a weight of 5
• The #2 choice has a weight of 4
• The #3 choice has a weight of 3
• The #4 choice has a weight of 2
• The #5 choice has a weight of 1

Weights are applied in this way to ensure that when the data is presented on a chart, it’s clear which answer choice is most preferred.