On the 7th May 2025, Carnforth hosted its first placemaking walkshop at the Carnforth Hub, bringing together local voices and policymakers to collaboratively reimagine future developments and community spaces. This evening event aimed to forge a sustainable pathway while enhancing Carnforth’s rich natural and cultural heritage. Guided by the Placemaking research team, participants embarked on a guided walk around the Lancaster Canal and surrounding fields. This journey sparked vibrant discussions on how Carnforth can evolve to meet future needs.
Structured exploration and community engagement
The walkshop, with consented recordings for planning policy dissemination, unfolded in a three-tiered approach. Initially, an introduction to the placemaking framework and Lancaster Local Plan set the stage. Participants then explored Carnforth’s urban layout, traversing the Lancaster Canal path, agricultural fields, and brownfields. As they ventured across the Canal Bridge and through Carnforth Rangers FC’s surroundings, participants used a walking toolkit to capture insights and explore sustainable living methodologies. A communal dinner break offered space for informal reflection between young adults and policymakers, strengthening bonds and fostering dialogue.
The reflective session was pivotal, gathering diverse perspectives to envision urban growth aligned with sustainable principles. Through collective conversations, participants expanded their knowledge, using the placemaking framework to address issues ranging from active travel and infrastructure, physical barriers, aesthetics, and biodiversity, to accessibility and the prospect of new infrastructure like bridge construction.
Key Findings:
- Building a Green Heart in Carnforth
A major theme was developing a “green lung” within new developments—a blend of residential areas and continuous green spaces. Participants advocated for integrating urban parks with community farming areas. One participant noted,
“We were talking about a twist to that idea: urban parks close to town and community farming further out. That’s what good planning should do.”
- Revitalising with purpose
Discussions turned to the revitalisation of Carnforth’s industrial areas, highlighting their untapped potential.
“Transforming overlooked industrial sites into vibrant nature havens enhances ecological health and honours our historical fabric,”
one participant expressed, encapsulating a vision for ecological sustainability and community engagement.
- The need for inclusive public spaces
The scarcity of community-centric public spaces sparked discussions, drawing lessons from European models where public areas are central to daily community life.
“Identify where breakouts happen and design for everyone,”
advised one participant.
“Successful design should transcend mere aesthetics; it should embed functionality within every phase of development,”
added another, advocating for diverse housing that fosters engagement.
- Charting a Future of Opportunity
The analysis revealed Carnforth’s potential for broader exploration. Participants eagerly anticipated the Future Vision Workshop, which will focus on reimagining specific interventions.
“From the city council’s perspective,”noted a planning officer, “engaging young people in planning is something we want to do more and more.”
This commitment underscores the Local Plan’s trajectory towards a sustainable future.
This walkshop transcended its role as a singular event, serving as a significant step toward a more interconnected Carnforth. Insights garnered promise a future where nature, history, and community flourish in tandem. Stay updated via our research website for continued dialogue on Carnforth’s transformation—a journey towards embracing shared aspirations with open hearts and innovative minds.
Mirian Calvo