Feedback on the concept scheme
To what extent do you agree with the following changes at Hay Hill?
- Question A: Reconfiguration of the steps
- Question B: Creation of an open area to allow for events
- Question C: Installation of a water feature
- Question D: Relocation of Thomas Browne sculpture within Hay Hill to a more prominent position with improved interpretation
- Question E: Relocation of the Homage to Thomas Browne sculpture by artists Anne and Patrick Poirier (the brain, eye and other sculpture pieces) to an alternative site within Norwich
- Question F: Any other considerations
- Question G: Overall aims of the project
Question A: Reconfiguration of the steps
- 76% (336) of respondents agreed with a reconfiguration of the steps at Hay Hill with 42% (185) strongly agreeing and 34% (151) agreeing.
- While 11% (46) disagreed, made up from 7% (29) who answered disagree and 4% (17) answering strongly disagree.
- 13% (58) of people were neutral in response to this question.
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 203
Majority of people who responded agreeing with the reconfiguration of the steps felt that more seating was much needed and would be positive. Many also requested that seating be accessible, well positioned and inclusive, requesting different types of seating to allow people in wheelchairs or with pushchairs to sit in groups with friends, as well as frequent rest opportunities, especially up hills and flights of steps. Tables were also mentioned by a number of respondents in this context. They also felt that the existing steps presented trip hazards and were confusing and that the proposed arrangement would make the space more usable and attractive.
Many people also wanted the space to be somewhere to dwell and felt the proposed arrangement would be more welcoming and legible. Detailed design of steps and accessibility were cited as key to ensure that the scheme improves accessibility and safety for the visually impaired and other disabled user groups. Clear definition of those steps designed for seating, and those for passing through Hay Hill was considered to be important.
Bin provision and litter from McDonalds was raised by a number of respondents. Anti-social behaviour was also raised.
Respondents who were neutral or disagreed made similar themed comments to those who agreed with the proposal, with concerns over safety with traditional and double height steps.
Question B: Creation of an open area to allow for events
- 67% (289) agreed to the creation of an open area for events, with 38% (164) of respondents stating they strongly agree and 29% (125) answering ‘agree’.
- A total of 14% (63) disagreed with this. This was made up of 9% (39) who disagreed and 5% (24) strongly disagreed.
- The remaining 19% (82) were neutral.
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 204
In terms of the free text response, views were fairly evenly split between those thinking Hay Hill was well suited to events, and respondents who felt that Millennium Plain, outside the Forum, already provided for this or was better suited.
Those who would like to see events in Hay Hill felt that the space was better suited to small scale or evening entertainment, with a number of people citing Covent Garden as an example, where acts are pre-booked at specific times. The types of acts or speakers were described as;
- well managed
- less formal than the Forum providing a different offer
- no amplification, and
- small / local
A number of those who felt that Millennium Plain already provided for events or that Hay Hill was not appropriate, felt this way because:
- Hay Hill is too small a space
- It is on a slope
- They are concerned that events would frustrate the thoroughfare
- the space should be more of a place to sit, rest, meet and be quiet or peaceful
- they have concerns over noise.
There were generally concerns over renting of the space for commercial purposes and people did not want to see car sales or similar in this area. Overall people who responded either agree or disagree had mutual opinions that an independent space for low key entertainment or speakers was recognised / welcomed, but that this should not be at the cost of the other, more primary, functions or to the detriment of the atmosphere of the space.
Question C: Installation of a water feature
- Overall, 66% (289) agreed with the installation of a water feature at the site. This was made up of 36% (157) of respondents who stated they strongly agree and 30% (132) who answered ‘agree’.
- 17% (75) responded negatively to the installation of a water feature, of which 8% (37) stated they ‘disagree’ and 9% (38) strongly disagreed.
- The remaining 17% (74) responded neutrally.
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 254
Most people indicated that they wanted to see a water feature in the space, feeling that Norwich lacked this provision and that it would:
- make Hay Hill more vibrant, welcoming and fun,
- have a nice visual and audible effect in the city centre, creating a cool and calming area,
- be somewhere where children could play.
However, many had concerns over maintenance, antisocial behaviour and vandalism, with many people saying they checked one of the ‘disagree’ poll responses as they were concerned it would not be looked after.
Environmental concerns were raised by some respondents including reference to local water restrictions as a result of drought, water recycling, solar power and the use of any wastewater to irrigate planting.
Others felt that a water feature was a good idea – as long as it didn’t impact other users of the space. A similar number of people also felt that ground jets would be underwhelming, and that something more imaginative and site specific would be better, using the site levels and creating an inclusive feature which more people could gain enjoyment from. Running water, misters and lighting were specifically mentioned. Some felt that the feature should operate throughout the year.
Question D: Relocation of Thomas Browne sculpture within Hay Hill to a more prominent position with improved interpretation
- 57% (253) of respondents answered positively to this question with 24% (106) stating they ‘strongly agree’ and 33% (147) answering ‘agree’.
- 13% (57) disagreed. Made up of 7% (30) who disagreed and 6% (27) who strongly disagreed.
- 30% (132) answered ‘neutral’.
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 195
A high proportion of respondents supported the making of a focal point using the Thomas Browne sculpture, with many feeling that he is not very prominent or visible in his current position.
A similar number of people felt that the sculpture was already prominent enough, they liked the existing location, or that they did not mind if the sculpture was moved.
There was a general consensus that whether moved or not, that the sculpture should not be positioned centrally or in a way that would frustrate other uses of the space. Some people suggested positioning the sculpture to the edge of the space, closer to Gentleman’s Walk or the Mancroft sides of the space.
People agreed that more interpretation was needed for Thomas Browne and his work.
Question E: Relocation of the Homage to Thomas Browne sculpture by artists Anne and Patrick Poirier (the brain, eye and other sculpture pieces) to an alternative site within Norwich
- 60% (267) of respondents overall agree. This is made up of 39% (173) who strongly agree and 21% (94) who agree.
- A total of 20% (87) disagreed. 10% (42) answered ‘strongly disagree’ and 10% (45) ‘disagreed’.
- The remaining 20% (87) responded neutrally.
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 284
A very high proportion of respondents who agreed wished for a location to be found which does not negatively impact on use of space, somewhere more accessible and where the works can be properly appreciated.
Suggestions included, in numerical order from most suggested to least:
- Dispose of them / sell them to fund new public art
- Rearrange them within the site / keep select pieces on site
- Chapelfield Gardens or another park
- Castle museum / Castle Gardens
- Sainsbury Centre / sculpture park
- University of East Anglia
- Norwich Cathedral / The Close / Thomas Browne Garden
- Norwich University of the Arts
- Millennium Plain
- Norfolk and Norwich Hospital / Medical School
- St Georges Green
- Old Norfolk and Norwich Hospital (the library was named after Thomas Browne)
- Riverside
- City College
- Infront / behind of City Hall
- St Peter Mancroft
- St Martins Plain
- Norfolk County Council offices
- Assembly House or other small public garden environment
- Split them up to create a Thomas Browne trail around the city
In addition to disposal and selling, there were a number of other suggestions implying the works should be donated elsewhere or lost.
Some felt that there should be an exhibition space on Hay Hill/locally, a bit like the 4th plinth in Trafalgar Square, which could host temporary works.
A number of respondents felt the works should stay on Hay Hill, reasoning that they are site specific or need to stay with the statue of Thomas Browne. Although some noted that their positioning is problematic.
Question F: Any other considerations
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 280
The theme noted by most respondents to this question was that a greater provision of planting and greenery should be included in the scheme. People also referenced climate change adaptation and biodiversity in this context.
Concerns around litter and waste, particularly from MacDonalds, was next most frequently highlighted. Individuals stated that the business needs to resolve their issues and contribute to the scheme and the space in some way.
In the same context business waste bins on Weavers Lane and William Booth Street were noted as a problem, as was the need for additional public litter bin provision, and that which also caters for cigarette butts. A no-smoking zone was also mooted if the space is intended for rest and relaxation.
Additional accessible and inclusive seating was the next most frequently highlighted consideration.
Many felt that maintenance and cleanliness of the space would be paramount as this has been neglected across the city and on other recent schemes such as Westlegate and All-Saints Green.
The need for the space to be accessible and provide a calming space in the city centre for people to sit and dwell also featured highly. Inclusivity also featured in this context with people referencing sensory planting and also alternative uses for different times of day such as skateboarding / parkour.
Requests for consultation with access and disability groups through the design process were also made.
With reference to use at different times of day, lighting was also considered important for safety and to attract people to the space. CCTV and policing of the area were also considered important to overcome antisocial behaviour and vandalism issues.
Removal of the trees was raised, with people requesting that all or as many as possible are retained.
There were a number of additional thoughts raised around design and creativity including,
- The scope of the scheme and considering transitions from Hay Hill to other areas. I.e. the steps between Haymarket/Gentleman’s Walk and the space, as well as the hill up to the Forum. References to extending planting out of the site with, for example, green walls alongside Next.
- Art exhibition space / installations / murals
- Use of high-quality materials and consideration of recycled materials and sustainability
- References to precedents in Europe and other UK towns and cities
- Consideration of Thomas Browne in the design either through retention of sculptures on site or through interpretation of him and his work on site
Question G: Overall aims of the project
- Overall, 79% (350) agreed with the aims of the project. Of which 39% (174) replied ‘strongly agree’ and 40% (176) ‘agree’.
- 11% (48) of respondents disagreed with the project. 6% (25) disagreed and 5% (23) strongly disagreed.
- 10% (44) were neutral.
Free text responses
Number of free text responses: 190
Many people want the area to feel more natural, with planting and the sound of running water, stating that they agreed with the aims because they want a pleasant place to sit and spend time in the city centre. They also stated that Norwich isn’t as vibrant and clean as other cities and that this area requires improvement.
A number of people did not agree with the events element of the aims, feeling that Millennium Plain provides this already or that the space is not suited to events.
Out of those people that gave a free text answer, a number felt that the aims were too generic, using buzzwords, that the scheme was not required or that it was a waste of investment.
