It is not too late…. it is just the beginning!

I am writing in response to Stephen Whipp's letter ("It is too late to seek our views", Your say, September 2) in order to answer his concerns.
Beam is not a satellite organisation of Yorkshire Forward. We are a creative company and an independent charity.

As such, we are passionate about involving the community in regeneration and want to give people the chance to influence the design of the new development on the former Standard Wire Works site.

Yorkshire Forward has therefore commissioned us to do this work.

This is the very beginning of the project and nothing has yet been decided for the site, so you do have a fantastic opportunity to help with this creative scoping exercise.

The masterplan has not yet been drawn up and the workshops are not about masterplanning, as mentioned in a previous editorial.

They are about the design of the public realm, bridges, gateways, street furniture and how we can incorporate public art into the site so that it will be a great place to live and work.

We went to great lengths to find a venue in Copley at which to hold these workshops but we were not able to secure one.

We are instead providing transport from Copley for anyone who is not able to get to the workshops.

We are also consulting with schools in the area and there will be a larger consultation event, so people will have plenty of opportunity to be involved.

So, please, do come and join us if you have time on the dates below.

This is a great opportunity and the workshops will be interesting, stimulating and fun. They are taking place from 3pm to 7.30pm on Thursday September 18, Wednesday, September 24 and Thursday October 2 at St Paul's Methodist Church, Tower Hill, Sowerby Bridge.

You can book on to the workshops by ringing Kate Bennett on 01924 215550.

Jane Field
Head of Programmes and Services