Renew North Staffs - Partners Briefing April 2008

posted: 06/05/2008

News update from RENEW North Staffordshire and its partners in housing market renewal.

AREA-WIDE PLANS GO ON SHOW

A series of events is to take place during May to bring communities up to date with area-wide regeneration plans.

Consultation on the Area Regeneration Frameworks for the ‘urban core’ of Stoke-on-Trent took place last year. The urban core is the central part of the city from Burslem, through the city centre to Stoke.

The ARFs looked at how neighbourhoods are made up now, from housing, business, roads, green space and community facilities like schools. They also looked at broad ideas for improving neighbourhoods, for example by building homes or businesses on derelict sites and better transport links. People were able to comment on a series of options to say which they preferred.

Now communities are to find out what recommendations are being made, through the ARFs, for urban core north and urban core south.

The events in the north of the city will also begin more detailed planning - masterplanning - for Middleport.

The masterplanning will be for the streets around the east and west of Newport Lane, Port Street, Maddock Street, Slater Street and Shirley Street. Bournes Bank in Burslem town centre will also be considered.

Six events are to be held in the northern ARF area - in Burslem, Middleport, Longport, Dalehall and Smallthorne, between May 10 and 17. Details are available from the Neighbourhood Renewal Team on 01782 239961.

Six events are also to be held in the southern ARF area - in Northwood, Shelton, Stoke and the Wellington Road area of Hanley. Details are available from the Neighbourhood Renewal Team on 01782 235528.


NEIGHBOURHOOD TRANSFORMATION UNDERWAY

Work to bring their Victorian terraced homes back to their former glory has already started to transform the Knutton and Cross Heath community.

The distinctive façades of 70 houses in the area are to be restored as part of a £1.3 million project aimed at raising property values by improving the local environment.

The work is being funded by RENEW North Staffordshire, the housing market renewal pathfinder, and Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, with input from English Heritage.

The properties are among 195 terraced houses in the John Street and Cemetery Road area that were used to showcase the work of the local brick manufacturer John Nashe Peake between 1843 and 1939.

The Knutton Terraces Heritage Works project aims to restore damaged decorative brickwork and tiles using materials that complement and enhance the original features. Chimney pots, doors and windows will be also be replaced. Where appropriate, other architectural features, such as boot scrapers, will be restored. Many of the houses will also benefit from new rear alleyway boundary walls and gates.

Residents are delighted with the work so far, saying it has already had the effect of ‘bringing the neighbourhood together’ and ‘totally transform the area’.

The houses were among those identified as being of value in a heritage characterisation study of North Staffordshire. The improvements are in line with the Knutton and Cross Heath masterplan, which was supported by the community following extensive consultation in 2005/6. The masterplan identified Knutton village centre as being in need of support because of the poor condition and low values of its old terraced properties.

The project, which is due for completion in June, has proved so successful that an extra £175,000 was allocated so that more residents can enjoy the benefits of renovations to their homes.

Conservation architects at Christopher Taylor Design have been co-ordinating and managing the project on behalf of RENEW North Staffordshire.


FRIENDSHIP MAKES MOVING HOME EASIER FOR OLDER PEOPLE

A new support scheme funded by RENEW North Staffordshire and Help the Aged - and provided by Age Concern North Staffordshire - has made settling into a new home in a different community easier for vulnerable residents in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

RENEW North Staffordshire has joined forces with its housing association partner, Aspire Housing, and Age Concern North Staffordshire to introduce the Knutton and Cross Heath ‘Befriending’ scheme. The initiative aims to ensure residents who are moving as part of the area’s regeneration programme do not feel isolated in their new homes.

The Befriending scheme offers lonely or housebound people aged over 50 regular social contact and access to additional services, such as advice and information on many subjects, including health, housing and money and consumer issues.

The Befriending scheme aims to offer a lifeline to people who feel isolated in their own homes, perhaps after moving to a new home after living in another area for a long time.

Volunteers provide support to help them settle into their new homes and communities, providing regular visits and helping them access a wealth of Age Concern advice services, including information about keeping their homes safe and secure, income and pensions and health issues.

RENEW North Staffordshire’s long term aim is to make the Knutton and Cross Heath area a popular place to live by improving the choice of local housing and improving housing conditions. Clearance is taking place in the Lower Milehouse area prior to redevelopment and some older Aspire Housing tenants are among those being relocated.


RESIDENTS CONSULTED ON REGENERATION

Initial concept drawings and designs have been drawn up for the reprovision of house in the Pyenest Street area, Shelton. The plans, commissioned and funded by RENEW North Staffordshire and its housing association partner, Beth Johnson Housing Association, are being used as part of a community consultation project.

Houses in Pyenest Street are to be cleared because of poor housing and environmental conditions. RENEW and Beth Johnson want the community to be involved in the regeneration process following clearance. Resident feedback will help provide a detailed brief for architects when finalising design proposals for new housing.

Local councillors and the City Centre South community steering group have seen the initial concepts and agreed they be publicised at two community venues in the area: Rectory Road Community Centre and Rectory Road Sports and Social Club. The concepts were on display at these venues throughout April.

It is hoped that resident involvement will lead to proposals that reflect local needs in parts of Parkhouse Street, Snow Hill and Chatham Street, where smaller development sites will be released over the next three years.


£2 MILLION REFURBISHMENT PROJECT NEARS COMPLETION

A major refurbishment project costing £2 million is nearing completion. The project, funded by RENEW North Staffordshire and delivered by Beth Johnson Housing Association, involved carrying out work to the exterior of properties in the City Centre South area as part of the regeneration programme.

Approximately 250 houses have been improved, and the whole neighbourhood has benefited from the refurbishments. The work was undertaken following an assessment by Hulme Upright Manning architects, after consultation events with local residents and property owners.

Five major areas surrounding Belmont Road, Parkhouse Street, Harley Street, Hazelhurst Street and Chatham Street were chosen for the refurbishment programme. Priority was given to streets that would be highly visible on through routes and to properties that needed the most work.

Properties have benefited from a range of improvements, including replacement boundary walls, new canopies, new windows and painting.

Work on the project started in November last year, and is one of the biggest completed in the City Centre South area over the last 12 months.


FACELIFT PROJECTS AIM TO ENHANCE SUBURBAN ESTATES

RENEW North Staffordshire has supported a programme of projects to improve housing and environmental conditions on five suburban estates in Stoke-on-Trent.

The aim of the programme is to make Abbey Hulton, Bentilee, Blurton, Chell Heath & Fegg Hayes and Norton more attractive and popular places to live.

RENEW has supported Stoke-on-Trent City Council and local housing associations to put together a £35 million package of investment for the improvement projects – many of which were identified during consultation with local residents.

£1m of RENEW funds have been used to complement Stoke City Council’s Suburban Estates Investment programme of £2.25m during 07/08, to complete a number of hugely successful off-road parking schemes, facelifts to properties and several community garden projects.

An incurtlidge parking programme at Norton has had an immediate, positive effect on residents’ quality of life. Many have reported that traffic congestion has eased in the Pinfold Avenue, Barks Drive and St Nicholas Avenue area, after kerbs were dropped and hard standings created on driveways at 50 properties to allow off-road parking. Lobbying by the local residents’ association also ensured that a lighting scheme, not due for delivery until 2013, was brought forward to further enhance the area.

A number of RENEW-funded projects were also completed at Abbey Hulton, including a community garden that aims to promote healthy eating by teaching residents of all ages how to grow and cook vegetables. Off road parking facilities were also completed at 18 homes in Abbey Road.

Another environmental project on a derelict site to the rear of Woodhead Road, Abbotts Road and Upland Road has created a community garden that will uplift more than 20 properties adjacent to the land. Developed in association with a local school, the garden will be used by pupils and residents alike.

In Bentilee, almost 40 properties have benefited from external improvements in a project funded by RENEW North Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent City Council and EPIC - Empowering People Inspiring Communities Ltd. Improvements included new driveways, garden walls, bin stores, footpaths and gates in a general ‘facelift’ project that will enhance the reputation of the area as well as boost property values.

The RENEW-funded work complements other, similar projects undertaken by Stoke-on-Trent City Council and other local partners.

At Fegg Hayes & Chell Heath, environmental and parking improvements were made in Elsby Place, and the community shop was extended to increase the floor space. The refurbishment has turned the community centre into a popular space for social enterprises and activities. Money has also been spent on new security shutters for the Chell Heath shop parade, aiming to give the appearance of a vibrant shopping centre. Also, more than 40 dropped kerbs and hard standings have been created at properties in Chell Heath and around the Deakin Road and Houldsworth Road area of Fegg Hayes.

A ‘teen den’ has been installed at the Hambro Place play area in Fegg Hayes, benefiting youth services outreach works as well as local youngsters, who needed somewhere to meet.

Low maintenance gardens have been created at the front of properties across the Norton estate, which have proved very popular with residents. Soft and hard landscape improvements have been carried out in the Red Ash area of Abbey Road, in Abbey Hulton. Another, similar project near bungalows in Woodhead Road has improved access for residents.

Residents of 30 properties in Abbey Road have benefited after a layby was built opposite their homes, allowing up to 34 cars to be parked off the main road.

And in Blurton, as well as parking and environmental schemes at Barlaston Road, Magdalen Road and Wimbourne Avenue, repairs and improvements have been made to a number of buildings used by community groups.

A £20,000 grant from Aspire Housing and the city council provided the opportunity for major changes at the community hall. The hall was decorated, and new cycles and sports equipment were purchased for the Dads’ Group.
Furniture for a meeting room and laptop computers and printers were provided, to enable a residents’ group to deliver free IT training to the community. The funding also allowed for the provision of a part time caretaker for the hall.


CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR PROJECT OFFICER

It’s ‘business as usual’ for residents of Knutton and Cross Heath as project officer Laurence Reardon settles into a new base with a new employer.

From the beginning of April, Laurence has been permanently based with Aspire Housing’s Business Development Team. He will retain the same role - RENEW North Staffordshire-funded Project Officer for the Area of Major Intervention (AMI) - and his links to the Knutton Cross Heath Neighbourhood Management Pathfinder (NMP).

Laurence says the change will not affect the service he provides to residents in the Knutton, Lower Milehouse and Cross Heath area.


ALEX TAKES UP A NEW CHALLENGE

Alex Phillips has moved ‘home’ to take up a new challenge at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council.

Alex joins the council from Beth Johnson Housing Association, where she was Communication and Research Officer working in the City Centre South Area of Major Intervention.

As the borough’s new Housing Market Renewal Officer, she will also help to put together the New Beginnings newsletter. An enthusiastic member of the editorial team, Alex firmly believes the newsletter is ‘an excellent way of conveying important news about regeneration activities’ in the area ‘during times of change’.

She is looking forward to meeting local people to learn all about what is happening in the area, and encouraging residents to join her on the editorial team. Anyone interested in helping put the newsletter together should contact Laurence Reardon on 01782 635200.


HAVE YOUR SAY

Please contact the RENEW North Staffordshire team on 01782 232024 if you have any comments or questions, or see www.renewnorthstaffs.gov.uk.