Would 'urban village' help uncover Hull's hidden gem?

An English Heritage report on Hull's Old Town suggests more should be done to create a new-look urban village in the historic heart of the city. Angus Young reports.

It's not every day that someone proposes changing the name of part of the city.

Then again, it's not every day that a panel of national experts spend time in Hull reflecting on how the place could make the most of its year in the spotlight as the UK City of Culture 2017.

The remit handed to English Heritage's urban panel was a simple one – could its members suggest how Hull might capitalise on the celebrations to lay the foundations for a reborn city centre and, in particular, a new-look Old Town?

The mooted name change to King's Town, with a nod towards the Royal charter granted to Hull by King Edward I in 1299, might not come to anything, as it is only a suggestion.

But it is clear from the panel's report that its experts were impressed by what they saw during their two-day visit earlier this summer.

Like many before them, they discovered a hidden gem just waiting for someone to give it that extra sparkle.

Deborah Wall, English Heritage's historic places principal for Yorkshire, helped arrange the panel's trip to Hull. She said: "One of the main things that came through from the visit was a real delight and surprise among the panel about what they saw in Hull and the Old Town.

"Some of the panel members had been to Hull before but had not seen the Old Town, while, for the others, it was a totally new experience.

"What really impressed them the most was the stunning architecture and the fantastic potential."

The panel's report retraces two tours that formed part of the visit, one by foot around the city centre and the Old Town and the other by bus to other parts of Hull.

The walking tour of the Old Town came as something of a revelation to those visiting Hull for the first time.

The report said: "Reaching the spectacular parish church of Holy Trinity, as fine an illustration of the former importance and wealth of the city as you could wish for, the panel noted the tantalising presence of Trinity House, occupying a four-square Old Town block.

"It is impermeable but has potential as a visitor attraction, museum and documentation centre all housed in architectural splendour.

"The panel felt that the Old Town is a historic place just waiting for an inventive approach to breathe new life back into its high-quality fabric."

The same conclusion was reached after a stroll through the Indoor Market, while the absence of hustle and bustle also raised a few eyebrows.

The report said: "Threading their way back towards the Guildhall, the panel were struck once again by the quality of the environment and the general lack of activity compared to other places fortunate enough to possess such assets.

"The number and quality of the museums and the different stories that could be illustrated by the area was subject of much discussion."

This theme is developed further on in the report: "Perhaps the most obvious immediate role for the Old Town is as a key element in the City of Culture because it is the repository for many of the stories, material and themes that will be explored through the programme.

"However, it needs its own identity within that wider programme.

"This will help in creating an impression of the Old Town being the place to be as part of the build-up to the year of City of Culture and is the start to changing perceptions.

"The panel was hugely impressed with the vast wealth of heritage and culture that can be found in the Old Town but it was startlingly clear that these excellent heritage assets are not being exploited, celebrated or marketed to their full potential, either to those living in Hull or nationally or those visiting or thinking of visiting."

The concept of creating a new urban village in the Old Town is one of the report's big ideas. To an extent, it is already happening, with a recent surge in buildings being converted into residential flats.

But the panel felt more should be done to persuade people to live in the area.

The report said: "It struck the panel forcefully that, based on historic population and housing numbers, the Old Town has the potential to make a significant contribution to current and future housing need, if handled sensitively and creatively.

"If a conscious decision is taken to actively explore the potential for a new urban village based on the Old Town, the quality of the current spaces, the character of its public realm and a marketing of the brand would all be required to bring about market interest.

"However, the panel were clear that, intrinsically, the Old Town is a high-quality, distinctive area with the ingredients already in place to make it ideal not only for city living but also hosting the ancillary business that will be attracted to servicing an expanded residential community."

Ms Wall said, while there has been a steady increase in residential conversions in recent years, the potential for more people living in the Old Town was clear.

"It was felt the Old Town really does need some specific focus. It needs to have a purpose and an urban village would do that," she said.

The panel's recommendations

THE English Heritage urban panel's main recommendations for Hull's Old Town are:

• Create a clear vision and brand, setting out an expectation of quality for the area.

• Establish an Old Town partnership to prepare a specific management strategy.

• Encourage community uses for under-used spaces or shops.

• Carry out an urban capacity study, especially with regard to housing.

• Consider a tall building policy for the Old Town to preserve the special flat, low-rise nature of the area.

• Focus outdoor market activity in Whitefriargate.

• Develop Old Town champions both as part of the City of Culture plans and as a lasting legacy.

• Reconsider the proposal for the hard-landscaped event space in Trinity Square. The Old Town needs a green space to linger in and provide a distinct oasis for quiet enjoyment.