4. Chapter Four Home Zone Profiles
4.1. The following sections set out profiles of each of the 6 Home Zones in Scotland.
Ormlie, Thurso
Location and Area characteristics
4.2. Ormlie is a housing estate on the south western side of Thurso in Highland with a total of 115 households. It comprises a mixture of one, 2 and 3 bedroom houses, served by walkways and residential roads, including a number of cul de sacs. The area includes several open spaces though play equipment was recently removed because the Council was unable to provide adequate maintenance and repair.
Scheme origins and development
4.3. The Ormlie Home Zone was initiated by the local community and developed with the involvement of the Ormlie Community Association ( OCA) and the Highland Council. The idea for the Home Zone in Ormlie came from a local resident whose daughter was hit by a car. The incident sparked a campaign for traffic calming and the specific notion of a Home Zone. The idea also stemmed from a widespread concern over road safety within the Ormlie Estate and about many aspects of the layout of the Estate and the fabric of the housing. In particular there were major concerns about alleyways leading on to roads; increasing numbers of cars; and high walls that obscured sightlines.
Home Zone Measures
4.4. The following provides a summary of the Home Zone measures implemented at Ormlie:
- tree and shrub planting in a formerly expansive open environment
- horizontal deflections provided by long radius curves along the streets
- vertical deflections provided by a raised table and raised pedestrian crossing point
- incorporation of bus and delivery vehicle access in the Home Zone design.
- public art developed with involvement of the local community
Key features of Ormlie Home Zone
4.5. The findings from the evaluation identified a positive response to the implementation of the Home Zone. Key features of the process included:
- Home Zone idea initiated from within the community
- project led by both Ormlie Community Association and Highland Council
- range of sources of funding obtained for Home Zone development
- use of high quality materials in design
- community involvement throughout the process has resulted in a strong sense of community ownership of the scheme
4.6. The Home Zone cost around £200,000 to implement, equating to just over £1700 per dwelling.
Figure 4.1: Plan showing overall street layout and early proposals for Ormlie Home Zone
Figure 4.2: Ormlie Home Zone 'Before' photographs
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| Open space on Ironside Place | Lord Thurso Court |
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| Parking area at Macaulay View | Provost Sinclair Road |
Figure 4.3: Ormlie Home Zone 'After' photographs
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| New street layout and lighting on Ironside Place | New fencing, public art and lighting at Marr Terrace |
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| The 'Wavy Wall' Public Art Installation at Macaulay View | Stone armchair in the 'Magic Circle' Ironside Place |
Dundee Royal Infirmary
Location and Area characteristics
4.7. The Dundee Home Zone is a private development on the site of the former Dundee Royal Infirmary ( DRI). The DRI site is located a short distance from the centre of Dundee and has an elevated position commanding views over the Tay, and adjacent to the site is a public park. The development comprises a combination of new build which has incorporated Home Zone principles into the street design, and the conversion of former hospital buildings to residential use. The scheme has been phased with the construction of groups of new build houses conditional on the conversion of existing buildings. The scheme comprises a total of 164 dwellings, of which 47 are within the new build element.
Scheme origins and development
4.8. The former Dundee Royal Infirmary came forward for redevelopment following re-organisation carried out by the Dundee Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust which transferred facilities to Ninewells hospital. Recognising both the sensitivity of the site and the opportunity presented by its redevelopment, Dundee City Council issued a development brief for the site. The design brief included guidance on road layout within the site. This effectively set the conditions for a Home Zone type scheme: as a result, the developer worked with Dundee City Council to develop a more integrated concept which links environmental considerations with traffic management.
Home Zone Measures
4.9. The following provides a summary of the Home Zone measures implemented on the Dundee Royal Infirmary site:
- the site has an access road entering the site from the east and a road which enters from the west, but there is no through route for vehicles across the site
- shared surface for traffic and pedestrians
- narrow road width restricts traffic flow to single file with passing places
- no road markings
Key features of the Dundee Home Zone
4.10. Due to the incompletion of the Dundee Royal Infirmary site works no 'after' study evaluation has been carried out. However a number of issues relating to the Home Zone were raised through the questionnaire survey in 2004 and in the subsequent community consultation in 2006. Some of these concerns relate specifically to the unfinished nature of the site and others to the design of the Home Zone itself.
- frustration at the length of time for completion of the site works, and the delay this causes to the provision of the village green and tennis courts which will provide much needed open space within the development.
- lack of impact of some of the design features
- narrow roadway and lack of pavements perceived as dangerous by residents
- children do not play on the street due to the inefficacy of the Home Zone measures
- no provision of guest parking
- lack of tree planting
- lack of community involvement
Figure 4.4: Plan showing overall street layout and early proposals Dundee Royal Infirmary Home Zone
Figure 4.5: Dundee Royal Infirmary Home Zone 'Before' photographs
Figure 4.6: Dundee Royal Infirmary Home Zone 'After' photographs
Caledonian Crescent, Edinburgh
Location and Area characteristics
4.11. The Edinburgh Home Zone is located in the Caledonian area of the city. The Caledonian area is a well defined neighbourhood located between Dalry Road and the Western Approach Road. It comprises a network of 4 streets, dominated by tenement dwellings, but with a number of community buildings including a school, church, community centre and swimming pool. It is estimated that the area proposed as a Home Zone totalled around 300-250 dwellings.
4.12. The area brought a number of challenges to the development of a Home Zone with mixed tenancies, high turnovers, multiple occupancy, and proximity to the city centre that created on the one hand pressure for parking spaces but also meant that community cohesion was likely to be low.
4.13. The area is quite extensive, and the character of the tenement buildings means that only natural high quality materials would have been appropriate for the Home Zone materials.
Scheme origins and development
4.14. The proposal to develop a Home Zone in the Caledonian area originated within the City Council. The area was chosen as being representative of many other inner city parts of Edinburgh. Outline ideas were initially progressed by the City Council and were the subject of consultation to gain community views and support. The City Council distributed a brief and tender documents for the preparation of tender ready specifications and costings for the development of the Home Zone.
Reasons for non progression of Home Zone
4.15. A number of issues contributed to the non progression of the Edinburgh Home Zone:
- a decision was made to fund extensive road safety measures throughout the city rather than fund the creation of a Home Zone in response to the high cost of the proposed solution with pressure to use budgets in other ways
- the character of the area meant that only natural high quality materials would have been appropriate for the scheme. This contributed to the high outline costs for the proposals
- there was a lack of community support for the scheme
- there were concerns over impacts of construction works on the residents
- the closure of the school and the old people's home which were 2 of the main original reasons why the area was brought forward as a Home Zone
- the threat to car parking spaces inherent in the Home Zone and other measures being taken by the City (including extension of the controlled parking zone)
Figure 4.7: plan showing overall street layout and proposals for Edinburgh Caledonian Home Zone
Figure 4.7: Edinburgh Caledonian photographs
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| View along Caledonian Road | View along Caledonian Crescent |
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| View along Orwell Place | Modern housing on Caledonian Terrace |
Alexander Terrace, Tillydrone, Aberdeen
Location and Area Characteristics
4.16. The suburb of Tillydrone lies in the northern part of Aberdeen. Alexander Terrace and Formantine Road form the westernmost part of the area which is bounded by the main railway line from Aberdeen to Inverness. The area is dominated by low rise public housing, much of it dating back to the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s, with a smaller number of high-rise blocks. The area proposed for the Home Zone comprised 20 residential blocks, estimated to total some 120 dwellings.
4.17. There are relatively high levels of deprivation within the area with high levels of long term unemployment with a comparatively high proportion of single and lone parent households. The area was already being considered as a candidate for an Environmental Improvement Programme as part of the local authority's wider housing programme. The programme focused on areas of poor quality council housing and social exclusion. An initial survey of people living in Tillydrone had highlighted the need for improved housing, measures to reduce speeds, provide better play facilities and improved parking. There was considerable local pressure to include the area within the Environmental Improvement Programme. The scheme involved the upgrading and refurbishment of housing blocks, limited demolition, initial traffic calming measures and the provision or improvement of play facilities.
Scheme origins and development
4.18. The Tillydrone Home Zone proposal was envisaged as part of a larger Environmental Improvement Programme for the Tillydrone neighbourhood. This would build on the environmental improvements made as part of the wider programme. The proposal to create a Home Zone at Alexander Terrace was first proposed by Aberdeen City Council.
4.19. The idea of developing a Home Zone was initiated by the Head of Infrastructure Policy at Aberdeen City Council following a conference on the subject in Edinburgh. It was necessary to 'sell' the idea of developing a Home Zone to other council departments including housing and community services who had overall responsibility for the regeneration initiative.
Reasons for non progression of Home Zone
4.20. It is clear that the inclusion of Home Zone proposals within a wider regeneration initiative was not successful in Tillydrone. This may reflect the fact that the regeneration initiative was being led by Community Services and that the original Home Zone idea had been incorporated at the suggestion of another part of the council.
4.21. Other Home Zone schemes demonstrate the importance of the scheme being championed within the lead service of the relevant council department and also within the community. Where responsibilities are spread across a number of council services, there may be benefit in establishing a liaison group to ensure that all interests are fully reflected in decisions about the Home Zone scheme in question.
4.22. The Tillydrone scheme demonstrates the difficulty in achieving and maintaining community support and interest for Home Zone schemes initiated within the council in question. The initial round of 'before' studies and subsequent updates confirmed low levels of awareness, reflecting comparatively few community-level Home Zone related events and the long time it took to get from initiation to the point it was decided not to proceed any further. This adds support to the conclusion that community involvement, and preferably community initiation, are essential for successful retro-fit schemes.
Figure 4.8: plan showing overall street layout and Aberdeen Tillydrone Home Zone proposals
Figure 4.9: Aberdeen Tillydrone photographs
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| Current entrance to Alexander Terrace | Refurbished tenements |
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| Traffic calming and play area | South along Alexander Terrace |
Robert Street, Inverclyde
Location and Area characteristics
4.23. Robert Street Home Zone lies within Port Glasgow, the second largest town in Inverclyde. Port Glasgow and most of the wider Inverclyde area suffers severe economic and social problems dating back to the decline of the main industry of shipbuilding. As a result there are high levels of unemployment, poor health and poverty which make Port Glasgow one of the most deprived areas in Scotland. The Robert Street Home Zone consists of a number of cul-de-sacs leading off from Robert Street which is a through route. The area is all residential except for a few shops, a school and a vacant church. The properties are tenement blocks and the area includes over 400 dwellings.
Scheme origins and development
4.24. Robert Street was one of 3 areas of deprivation that were awarded Better Neighbourhood Services Funding ( BNSF) through the auspices of Inverclyde Council in 2001. The community was given the task of identifying how they would like to see the money spent and this triggered a community consultation process that identified the Home Zone as one of its strategies for the regeneration of the area.
4.25. The Home Zone idea emerged following these meetings as a response in particular to the condition of the pavements and roads. The pavements and roads were unadopted and in a major state of disrepair and a safety hazard with many instances of people falling and hurting themselves. They were also seen as a barrier for people with prams and older people.
4.26. The lead community body was the local Tenants and Residents Association and when the funds were made available they became the core of the Local Neighbourhood Panel. This was a requirement of the Better Neighbourhood Services Fund process.
Home Zone measures
4.27. The following provides a summary of the Home Zone measures implemented on the Robert Street Home Zone:
- one flat surface for pedestrians with vehicles as 'guests' although a separate footway is still maintained
- no carriageway markings or road signs
- improved street lighting and pedestrian access at end of cul-de-sacs removed to improve safety
- there are 180 granite bollards engraved with the orchard theme combined with planting and the parking layout define the Home Zone
- public art incorporated into railings and engraved on bollards, and provision of sculpture
Key features of the Robert Street Home Zone
4.28. The Home Zone has been used as part of the drive to address wider deprivation issues and turn the area around. The Neighbourhood Panel continue to work on other parts of their Regeneration Strategy and one of their major focuses now is on Housing:
- strong working relationship between Neighbourhood Management Panel and Inverclyde Council
- the characteristics of Robert Street and the surrounding streets made it ideal for development as a Home Zone
- car ownership in the area is low and subsequently the volume of traffic entering and leaving the site is low
- the community artist played an important role in involving the local community in the design process
- the involvement of the school in the design process has led to local children having a greater sense of ownership of the area and becoming as a result more involved in other activities and aspects of the community
- there has been positive feedback from the local community on the benefits of the Home Zone
- the Robert Street Home Zone has acted as a catalyst for other regeneration work in the area and this includes the refitting of the Neighbourhood Centre which has a new computer room, kitchen and rooms with video equipment. Other projects taking place in the Robert Street area are likely to be integrated with the Home Zone such as an environmental project being undertaken with local youth on an area of waste ground
- Robert Street was the first formally designated Home Zone in Scotland
4.29. The Home Zone scheme cost £1.2 million, equating to around £2700 per dwelling.
Figure 4.10: plan showing overall street layout for Robert Street Home Zone Inverclyde
Figure 4.11: Robert Street. Port Glasgow 'after' photographs
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| Robert Street Home Zone showing carriageway, bollards and darker coloured parking areas |
Craighall Home Zone Proposal, Stirling
Location and Area characteristics
4.30. The Craighall Home Zone proposal is located in the Raploch area of Stirling. Craighall comprises 115 properties consisting of terraced houses, semi detached houses and flats. Craighall sits within the wider regeneration of Raploch and to the west of Craighall an area has been proposed for new housing development of around 85 units. This area is known as Craigforth Crescent and will also be designed on Home Zone principles and link with the Craighall Home Zone.
Scheme origins and development
4.31. The original idea for the Home Zone originated from an individual within Stirling Council with close involvement in the Home Zone network, and pre-dates Raploch Regeneration. When the Raploch Regeneration Partnership project was established it was charged with the wide ranging elements of the regeneration including the demolitions, masterplan, infrastructure projects and Craighall Home Zone.
4.32. The Craighall area is not undergoing significant changes as part of the wider regeneration work and comprises a stable community in a more desirable part of Raploch and therefore fitted with the Home Zone criteria. Craighall is seen as a pilot for the regeneration of the wider area which could provide valuable guidance for future development. Home Zone principles and 20mph zones are to be used through the regeneration of the wider area.
Home Zone measures
4.33. The following provides a summary of the Home Zone measures proposed for the Craighall Home Zone:
- off street parking provision for residents
- development of 2 of the streets involved into cul-de-sacs which will have a clear impact on reducing vehicle speeds
- improved community open spaces both within the streets and in the backcourt areas
Key features of the Craighall Home Zone
4.34. The wider improvements from the regeneration bring a number of quite fundamental changes to the Raploch area and present new opportunities for the area. The integration of the development of Craighall Home Zone within the wider regeneration framework provides key opportunities for supporting the Home Zone and sharing of good practice:
- Craighall is a close knit, stable community with established family and community networks and a strong sense of neighbourhood identity
- close involvement of the community throughout the process, using a wide range of information and consultation methods and sustained awareness generated through updates provided in the community newsletter
- there has been close involvement of the planning and roads department throughout the planning process which has allowed the agreement of difficult issues up front
- the development of the Home Zone as part of the wider Raploch regeneration is recognised as having been beneficial to the continued development of the Home Zone by maintaining the project momentum through commitment to the project and in securing funding
- partnership working between the Raploch Regeneration Project staff and departments within Stirling Council has been key to maintaining the momentum of the project and resolving issues as they arose. It is acknowledged that working in partnership is difficult and a long term commitment is required to maintain a driving force
- there has been continuity in staff and commitment which has existed throughout the project has been important to the progression of the project to its current stage
- the proposals for the Home Zone seek to provide a number of wider community benefits, improving the sense of community, addressing local issues and improving the quality of the local environment
- the continued progression of the Home Zone proposal in Craighall has been supported by the consistency in support through a constant 'champion' for the project. This has maintained momentum and re-involved the community as the project has progressed
Figure 4.12: plan showing overall street layout and proposals for Craighall Home Zone, Stirling
Figure 4.13: Craighall, Stirling 'before' photographs
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| Elm Street | Craigforth Crescent |