AN award-winning team of architects will present the results of a five-month long study of Marsden and Slaithwaite next Saturday morning at Marsden Junior School.

The team, led by Irena Bauman, of Bauman-Lyons Architects, Leeds, has been examining the two village centres and will unveil final sketch designs as part of a public meeting held by Marsden and Slaithwaite’s Renaissance Town Team.

Tom Lonsdale, a member of the Town Team and the ‘Project Champion’ of this aspect of the team’s work, said: “This is the final stage in a long process which has involved the public in detailed consultation about matters that will directly affect them.”

Some ideas have come from the consultants; others originate in the consultation process itself, which included ‘Spaceshaper events’ – held in both villages and involving members of the community and other ‘stakeholders’ such as Kirklees Council – a story-telling exercise(targeting traders and residents on the streets), and feedback from the Renaissance Team’s website.

The proposals include several ‘big ideas’, but also many smaller-scale suggestions.

Tom believes these could make a big difference to life in the two villages and could be achieved by the community working closely with the council.

“The competition for large sums of money makes the consultants’ suggestions for smaller projects really attractive,” said Tom.

“The ‘big ideas’ in each village relate to changes in the road system and will cost a lot of money but the smaller ‘housekeeping’ measures should also result in substantial improvements.”

The architects’ presentation kicks-off a day which promises to be rich in interest and ideas.

There has been significant progress in several other areas of the Town Teams’ work, including the community broadband project.

Graham Mitchell will lead a workshop in the afternoon and plans to make the Upper Colne Valley a hub for the development of the new green technologies.

There will also be stands and presentations highlighting the work of other active local organisations working towards a sustainable future for the valley – such as MASTT (Marsden and Slaithwaite Transition Towns), Friends of Slaithwaite Spa, the Green Valley Grocer and MYAC (Marsden Youth and Community Project).

The day will begin at 10am in Marsden Junior School and will conclude with the Town Team’s AGM at 3.15pm.

All are welcome and a light lunch, coffees, teas and snacks will be provided.

Further details about the Town Team and its projects, and a nomination form for those wishing to become part of the team can be found at www.marsden-slaithwaitermt.co.uk.

The architects’ plans can also be viewed on the website.