Panopticons and its partner project Land make up an ambitious, four-year programme of creative activity (2003 to 2007), designed to create distinctive environmental improvements as part of the regeneration of the East Lancashire Regional Park – now part of the Central Lancashire City Region – and to involve local communities in the regeneration process.
The Panopticons – literally 'all-seeing' structures – are a series of 21st century landmarks being erected on high point sites around the Park as symbols of East Lancashire’s emergence from the economic decline and social deprivation of the late 20th century, and of its confidence in the future. They are visually stunning ‘gateway’ pieces, commanding magnificent views, and each draws attention to the same unique asset of East Lancashire: that wherever people live, even in town centres, they are minutes away from countryside of unrivalled beauty and can enjoy a rare quality of life which offers all the benefits and pleasures of both town and country.
Each Panopticon has the potential to bring in additional funding and investment for the surrounding area, allowing derelict or neglected sites to be redeveloped for public use. When all are in place, they will be linked by footpaths and cycleways for local and visiting walkers and cyclists to enjoy amid East Lancashire’s spectacular countryside.
Designs for the first three Panopticons were sought through an architectural competition run in association with the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) in summer 2003. Further designs were procured in spring 2005 via an invited competition.
Three Panopticons, in Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle, are now complete and a fourth is under construction in Rossendale. Exciting design proposals for Hyndburn, by architect Peter Beard, and Ribble Valley, by artist Nayan Kulkarni, were also put forward but failed to meet with local support.
For information on individual Panopticons, choose a district on the left-hand menu.
Land, the community engagement programme supporting Panopticons, has involved local people of all ages in making a positive difference to their own surroundings through creative activity led by professional artists. For more information click any Land link.
Mid Pennine Arts (MPA) is a key arts development and arts networking agency for East Lancashire. MPA has a strategic role in developing the arts across the sub-region in collaboration with its partner local authorities and a wide range of other agencies and community organisations.
In April 2002, MPA formed the East Lancashire Environmental Arts Network (ELEAN) to explore the role that the arts and creative industries might play in the development of the Regional Park.
This impressive network of over 25 partner organisations, including six district authorities and Lancashire County Council, has been the driving force behind an ambitious four-year programme of creative activity inspired, managed and delivered in East Lancashire.
The programme has harnessed the skills of artists, makers, designers and architects based in and beyond the sub-region to create distinctive environmental improvements and help develop an identity for the Regional Park. It has generated work for local producers, suppliers and contractors and involves schools and local communities through Land, a rolling programme of education and creative arts activity.
Panopticons is the flagship project of the ELEAN programme.
East Lancashire is a unique area. In its make-up, geography, demographics and population profile it is very different from many other areas with a population of half a million.
East Lancashire’s towns prospered during the Industrial Revolution, but have suffered sharp decline since. Nineteenth-century mills and chimneys punctuate the rugged but beautiful Pennine landscape. More recent economic development includes a successful specialism in aerospace industries. East Lancashire's communities are multicultural, with large minorities of South Asian origin. The challenges they face are economic and social in equal measure.
The Lancashire Economic Partnership (LEP) is an experienced multi-agency sub-regional partnership covering the following geographical areas: Blackburn and Darwen, Burnley, Hyndburn, Pendle, Ribble Valley and Rossendale.
LEP's strategy for 2020 aims to transform East Lancashire from a collection of small- and medium-sized towns to a new concept of ‘city-living’ in a rural context. An integral part of this transformation is the development of a Regional Park.
East Lancashire has an advantage over traditional cities of half a million people, as most people in the sub-region live within sight or walking distance of open countryside. The Regional Park builds on this feature, defining East Lancashire as an alternative to the traditional city, a place where the quality of life is important.
Part of the wide-ranging development programme planned for the Park is an expansion of the area's creative industries with a view to achieving environmental improvements together with new cultural, recreational and leisure facilities.
