Page 4 - Redditch New Town Centre Success or Failure

Redditch Heritage Redditch New Town, Success or Failure?

The RDC View

In the final Annual Report of the Redditch Development Corporation in

1985, the following summary of their work was offered.

Meeting The Objectives

Redditch Development Corporation was charged with developing Redditch as a
town capable of taking a population of about 70,000 by about 1980. This goal
was substantially achieved despite the adverse economic climate of the 1970s
and the substantially smaller family size. The Designated Area now
accommodates a population of over 70,000.

The town retains and develops its self-containment and independence from
Birmingham and the commuting patterns forecast in the Master Plan have
proved accurate.

Emphasis has always been placed in developing a balanced community in both
social and physical terms and the Corporation believes that in these it has been

exceptionally successful.

From A Historical Perspective

Redditch first evolved under the unitary authority of the Cistercian Order which
laid the foundation of the town at Bordesley Abbey. The Corporation has played
a catalytic part in the archaeological work related to the researches into that era.

The industrial heritage on which the town's growth and prosperity blossomed in
the 18th and 19th century is well documented through the history of the inde-
pendent needle manufacturers. The Corporation has been instrumental in estab-
lishing the National Needle Museum, based on the last working water driven
needle mill.

Further significant growth occurred in the form of migration of industry and
population during the era of two World Wars. Much of the early work of the
Corporation was spent in coping with the decline and extinction of these firms,
in particular the demise of the Royal Enfield Works shortly after the designation
of the New Town. A firm resolve to save the rail link during the days of the
Beeching axe also taxed our early initiatives.

The Town is thus well used to periodic changes of great magnitude and the built
fabric reflects the changes which have occurred.

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