Research

The decision to initiate the Barclays SiteSavers programme was informed by several key pieces of research. Many of these looked at the link between derelict, run-down or under-used land and the fear of crime and community health and well-being.

The research also confirmed that the process of involving local people in reclamation projects was as important as the reclamation itself. It went on to show that reclaiming wasteland helps to break the cycle of vandalism and decay, and involving local people generated a feeling of collective ownership, cohesion and pride in their achievements.

A sample of over 2000 adults took part in research commissioned specifically for the programme. The research analysed people’s perceptions of their local environment and of the provision of community leisure and recreational facilities. It also looked at the effects of a poor environment on community morale.

In 1996, research revealed :

• Fewer than half of all adults in Britain felt that they belonged to their local area; fewer still thought there was a good sense of ‘community’
• For young people (15 – 24), the sense of community was even weaker; only one in four felt any sense of local belonging
• Only 27% of young people felt there was a good sense of community where they lived
• Only 25% felt their area was cared for
• Just 7% believed that there were lots of activities for the young people to do in the area
• Only one in eight young people agreed that the area they lived in was attractive

The study successfully highlighted the need to address problems caused by a poor environment - in particular neglected land - and how this can present some major opportunities for local people.

The research pointed strongly to the conclusion that involving local people in a programme such as Barclays SiteSavers would be well received by affected communities for three key reasons :

• It would help bring local people together: 76% of all adults agreed with this
• It would give people the opportunity to develop new skills: 59% of people aged 15 - 34 agreed
• It would help provide leisure facilities for young people and adults: 49% of respondents agreed.