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Saturday 30 April 2011

Nottingham Evening Post: April 30 2011

 
COMMITTEE members are urgently needed to save a residents' group which successfully campaigned for redevelopment of the Stonebridge Park estate.
 
Many members of Stonebridge Park Tenants' and Residents' Association (SPTRA) moved away from the estate so demolition of old housing could begin in January 2008.
 
This means they are no longer eligible to be committee members – and the association will wind up at the next meeting in May unless replacements can be found.
 
Richard Pearson, who runs a blog about the regeneration of Stonebridge Park, said it was vital for the association to survive and oversee construction of the new housing, which began in January.
 
Mr Pearson said: "It would be a shame if it closed down after all this time and all the hard work getting this scheme off the ground.
 
"The tenants' and residents' association should be overseeing this project and making sure that when mistakes are being made we can raise it and it can be put right.
 
"They could also push for new shops on the estate which are really needed.
 
"This social housing is meant for young people but there is nothing for them on the estate."
 
Founding chairman Maureen Graham died in August 2007.
 
Some residents referred to Stonebridge as the Bermuda Triangle because they felt it was being ignored by the city council and police.
 
They said they had watched drug-taking and anti-social behaviour problems escalate while standards of maintenance dropped.
 
Mrs Graham was credited with turning the estate around and won a holiday for her work. Speaking in 2004, she said: "I'm flattered and just a bit gob-smacked to be honest."
 
Mr Pearson attended the most recent SPTRA meeting at Stonebridge City Farm on April 20, and said it was well attended.
 
However, not enough members live inside the boundary of the estate, a triangle formed by Stonebridge Road, Beacon Hill Rise and St Matthias' Road.
 
Mr Pearson himself lives just outside the boundary.
 
A minimum of five committee members are needed, including a chairperson, treasurer and secretary.
 
Anyone who would like to become a member of SPTRA should contact Afzaal Nawaz at Nottingham City Homes on 0115 9157059 or 07940407187 or e-mail gettinginvolved@nottinghamcityhomes.org.uk.
I talked to Post Reporter Caroline Longbridge at the Stonebridge Estate on April 28

Thursday 28 April 2011

The Stonebridge Master-Plan

In the Nottingham Core Housing Market Local Investment Plan dated September 2010, Prepared by seven local authorities including Nottingham City Council, for the Homes and Communities Agency, it is stated that:

[Nottingham City Council] has secured Kickstart funding from the HCA for the redevelopment of the Stonebridge Park area of St Ann’s. The proposed funding of £5.6 million will help to unlock Phase One (1a, 1b and 2a) of the Stonebridge Park Scheme, which will mean the construction of 95 new homes, including 48 new apartments and 47 family homes with 2, 3 and 4 bedroom options. Of these, 71 new homes will be supported through the NAHP and will offer low cost home ownership options for people wanting to live in high quality accommodation at Stonebridge. The remaining 24 homes will be for outright sale on the open market. In Appendix 5, Summery of costs, the Stonebridge Park Regeneration programme is estimated to amount to £22.2m.

In fact the total funding allocated by the HCA under the 6 July 2010 Kickstart 2 programme is £5,538,747. This appears in a file on the Homes and communities Agency website.

The master Plan for the Stonebridge Park Estate was drawn up by Derby based architects Latham’s at the beginning of the regeneration programme in 2006, there then followed a comprehensive consultation exercise lasting into 2007.

The most up to date Master plan of the Stonebridge Park Estate is shown here, together with three photo interpretations of what the finished areas of the estate will look like on completion. The 2007 Master Plan was shown to local tenants & residents at a public meeting in 2007, while the latest February 2010 Master Plan has been seen by only a small number of locals and has not been approved tenants & residents..
The first original Master Plan. 2007
The Master Plan. 2009
This view is an illustration of off road parking on the Estate

Minutes of Council Meeting: Autumn 2007

NOTTINGHAM CITY COUNCIL EXECUTIVE BOARD M I N U T E S of meeting held on 18 SEPTEMBER 2007 at the Council House from 2.00 pm to 3.05 pm with Conucillor Jon Collins (Chair)
KEY DECISION – STONEBRIDGE PARK REGENERATION PROJECT

Consideration was given to a report and addendum of the Corporate Director of Adult Services, Housing and Health, copies of which had been circulated.

RESOLVED

(1) That the draft Stonebridge Park Neighbourhood Plan be approved, enabling the use of statutory powers in order to complete land assembly, where friendly acquisition procedures had been exhausted;

(2) That the Council’s Regulatory Reform Order be amended, as detailed in section 8 of the report, to enable the Council to fund work on owner occupied homes;

(3) That the proposal to fully grant fund the work on bringing the exterior of owner occupied properties up to Decent Homes Standard, while retaining the option to use other funding mechanisms, such as equity release and interest free loans, on future projects, be approved;

(4) That the recovery of Right to Buy discount be waived for Stonebridge Park owner occupiers losing their homes for redevelopment, except those returning to the Council as tenants;

(5) That Decent Homes work is undertaken for vulnerable residents in privately owned properties, using grant from the Regional Housing Board;

(6) That the establishment of Stonebridge Park Board be approved;

(7) That Fairholm Court is decommissioned;

(8) that the investigation of the replacement of Fairholm Court with an Extra Care scheme, through the redevelopment of Welland Court, which would be subject to a comprehensive feasibility study to be submitted to a future meeting of the Executive Board, be noted.

END

Wednesday 27 April 2011

Lovell ---- The Site Building Contractor

Lovell selected for £8.2 million LHA-ASRA Nottingham regeneration scheme

Lovell has been chosen by LHA-ASRA housing and regeneration group to build an £8.2 million development of 95 homes in Nottingham.

The 18-month scheme is part of the redevelopment of the Stonebridge Park estate in the St Ann’s area of the city by Nottingham City Council and LHA-ASRA. The new development is going ahead with funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

Lovell will build 47 two-, three- and four-bedroom houses and 48 one- and two-bedroom apartments across sites including Eastham Close, Dennett Close, Magson Close and St Matthias Road. The scheme is set to be completed in summer 2012.

Twenty-four of the new houses will be for open market sale through LHA-ASRA. The other 71 properties will be for rent through the housing group with a range of tenures available to suit residents’ needs: 36 homes will be for affordable rent; 19 flats will be for intermediate rent (a rent that is below the market rate) while 16 properties will be available through the Rent to Homebuy scheme, which allows people to rent at a reduced rate while saving for a deposit to buy a share of their home at a later date.

Designed by architects Geoff Perry Associates, the development will be energy-efficient with the houses built to Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes, the system for measuring the environmental performance of new housing and the apartments achieving Level 3 of the Code.

With a strong track record and commitment to creating local training opportunities, Lovell plans to create apprenticeship training places for ten local trainees who will have the chance to gain valuable on-site experience by working on the development.

LHA-ASRA Group chief executive, Matt Cooney says: "The LHA-ASRA Group is proud to be involved in the regeneration of the Stonebridge area of St Ann’s.  This new development will uplift the appearance of the area and provide attractive, modern housing that will meet the aspirations of the local community.  The project is a further step in the long-term regeneration of the Carlton Road side of St Ann’s and LHA-ASRA is keen to invest in the area and help local people in need of affordable housing.”

“We are excited to be working with the local community, LHA-ASRA and Nottingham City Council on this major regeneration scheme,” says Lovell regional director Noel Adams. “We are committed to delivering high-quality new housing which will make a real difference for the area, in addition to giving local people the chance to gain construction qualifications through our apprenticeship programme.”
-------------------------------------------------
Lovell Midlands
Unit E Pinewood
Bell Heath Way
Woodgate Business Park
Woodgate Valley
Birmingham
West Midlands
B32 3BZ

Tel: 0121 421 8300

E-mail     bizdev.midlands@lovell.co.uk

Tuesday 26 April 2011

The Bluebell Hill Community Centre

The Bluebell Hill Community Centre is of historical importance, as it connects the present time with the bygone era of the old St Ann’s of the 1960s. As the 1966 map of the area shows here, Pym Street was an extension of Peas Hill Road leading to Carlton Road. And Gordon Road bisected our (Stonebridge) area in two halves. However, at the junction of Pym Street and Beaconhill Rise Road was a large Secondary & Infant school called Bluebell Hill School, “Bluey” as local people called it. When the school was demolished during the slum clearance programme of the early 1970s, the main canteen building was retained, and this became the Bluebell Hill Community Centre. The building is in regular use today, and remains at the heart of the local community. The centre is the focus of the Bluebell Hill Playgroup and Out of School Care Scheme. The contact telephone number is: 0115 9476722

 The pink dot on this 1966 map shows the site of Bluebell Hill School. Look carefully and you can see the old Dennet Street, Lytton Street and Paxton Street, all of which are still in use today on the Stonebridge Park Estate,
 The Bluebell Hill School seen from Pym Street


 Another view of the school, the main road at the front is Pym Street
The school was demolished in the early 1970s, the old canteen can be seen in the background. The photograph was taken from Pym Street
 The Bluebell Hill Community Centre today viewed from Limmen Gardens. 2011
 This is a view of the community centre from Dennet Road. 2011

The Peveril Pub: 22nd April 2011

The Peveril Public house is situated next to Beaconhill Rise Road, with Eastham Close Road on the south side, and Dennet Road to the north. The pub was opened 31 years ago and was a popular venue for local tenants & residents. Its popularity declined in late 2005. It was briefly reopened as the Bollywood in 2006, which lasted for about four months, and the venue finally closed never to reopen its doors. It was then sold to Lecester Hoiusing Association soon after, and the pub was demolished in the summer of 2007. Today a new apartment block is half built on the front of the site, and on the site adjacent to Dennet Road a trench has been excavated. The photographs shown here were mainly taken in early 2007, the rest are more recent.

The Peveril Pub from Dennet Close
 The Peveril seen from Beaconhill Rise Road
 The Pveril viewed from Eastham Close Road
 The new apartment block seen from Eastham Close Road. 2011
The same block from Beaconhill Rise road. 2011
 The Peveril site looking along Dennet Close Road. 2011

Monday 25 April 2011

Stonebridge Public Meeting: April 20th 2011

I attended the latest meeting of the Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association (SPTRA) at Stonebridge Farm on 20th April at 7pm.

Mr Afzaal Nawaz (Nottingham City Homes), and Mrs Maize Lafond told the meeting that unless new people came forward with a willingness to be elected as chair, secretary & treasurer etc., on Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association in the next month, then SPTRA would be wound-up and closed-down at the next public meeting in May. A great shame after all the group’s hard work in getting the local Regeneration Scheme off the ground over the last seven years.

If you can give this a mention as an urgent appeal for new SPTRA members, we would be very grateful. Anyone interested should contact Mr Afzaal Nawaz at Nottingham City Homes. Telephone 0115 915 7059 or 07940 407 187 or by E-mail: gettinginvolved@nottinghamcityhomes.org,uk
-------------------------------------

An update was then given by Mr Michael Charlton (Nott’s City Council) on the areas’ Regeneration Programme.

Mr Charlton told the meeting that the work on the Phase 1 area (Eastham Close, Dennet Close & former site of the Pevril Pub) which began in mid January was progressing well, and while the completion date for the building contractor was June 2012, the work was ahead of schedule.

Building work was also well advanced on the site of the former elderly person’s home at the top of Magson Close.

The demolition of all the remaining blocks of flats on the Stonebridge Park Estate was now close to completion.

All local tenants in the Phase 1 area will be receiving a home visit by City Council representatives to discuss work to be carried out at their property, and the construction work nearby, in the coming weeks.

Money had now been found to purchase the dilapidated Church of Christ building on Jersey Gardens, which will be demolished shortly.

Work will begin in early June on Rocket Park, filling in the central depression and levelling the grassed area. New play equipment will be installed. All of the surrounding trees will be retained. This work is due to be completed in late October 2011.

It has been proposed that a brass plaque be fitted to a seat or bench on the Rocket Park site in remembrance of Mrs. Maureen Graham, the former Chairlady of Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association (2004 – 2006), who died in the summer of 2006 before work began to regenerate the estate. Her husband George died in January this year.

Sunday 24 April 2011

Jersey Gardens: Demolition

All of the blocks of flats on Jersey Gardens have now been demolished, and money has now been found to purchase The Church of Christ building, and it too will be demolished in the next few months. These two photographs showing the site of the top row of flats adjacent St Matthias Road were taken recently.
 

Jersey Gardens: Flats

Jersey Gardens is situated on the north side of the Stonebridge park Estate boarded by St Matthias Road, and Rocket Park, with the Alcester Pub and Church of Christ marking the east & west boundaries. The area is highlighted in the map shown here. Although I am not familiar with each of the blocks, the photographs shown here were taken amid 2003 – 2008. All of the flats have since been demolished and the site cleared ready for redevelopment. There is also a set of two pedestrian underpasses situated on the west side of the area, and located at the top of the site plan below. These are to be filled in.

 A plan of Jersey Gardens showing the blocks of flats coloured purple

 Flats on Jersey gardens seen from behind Fairholm Court. 2003
 Two single houses on Jersey Gardens nearby. 2007
 The north, top row of flats on Jersey Gardens. 2007
 Flats on Jersey Gardens from the nearby road. 2007
 Flats on Jersey Gardens. 2007
 The Church of Christ on Jersey gardens. 2003
 The two pedestrian underpasses on Jersey gardens which lead to Gorden Road. 2005
 The Alcestor Pub seen from Jersey Gardens, Magson Close is on the right. 2001

Homes & Communities Agency: News

Work starts at Stonebridge Park regeneration scheme in Nottingham

17 December 2010

Ground has been broken on the much anticipated new housing development at Stonebridge Park in St Ann’s, Nottingham.


Agency (HCA), and is being delivered through a partnership approach between Nottingham City Council, the HCA and housing provider LHA-ASRA.

Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony, Leader of Nottingham City Council John Collins, described getting the project off the ground as one of the city’s biggest achievements over the last 10 years, and was grateful for the innovative work of the project partners.

Work will now start in earnest on 95 new homes, which is the first phase of the overall Stonebridge Park community-led regeneration scheme. The masterplan was approved by the tenants and residents association to develop 258 new homes aimed at the comprehensive regeneration of the site. The stalled project has been unlocked thanks to a £5.6m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency for comprehensive regeneration of the site. Site preparation has been taking place throughout the past month..

Graham Dobbs, Head of Area for the HCA, said: “From the start this project has been led by the community, and we are pleased they will soon see their neighbourhood start to be transformed further. The scheme has followed a comprehensive approach to regeneration – and our investment into housing is being complemented by health, employment and economic initiatives.”  

Councillor Dave Liversidge, Nottingham City Council's Portfolio holder for Housing Delivery, said: "The turf cutting is a great landmark for Stonebridge Park. Local residents have waited patiently for construction of these new homes to begin. Many of the residents have played an active part in planning the new scheme which should help regenerate the whole area bounded by St Matthias Road, Beacon Hill Rise and Stonebridge Road and also help create local jobs. 

"The City Council has made a considerable investment in the site by demolishing the unpopular low-rise maisonettes and flats to create the right conditions for the development to take place. The investment will help to renew and reinvigorate the area and taken together with other investments close by - at the Rose Hill School and the extra care facility at Albany Court - Stonebridge Park will be a hive of activity for some time, creating more choice for residents and a sustainable neighbourhood.” 

“We at LHA-ASRA are very excited about this project as it will transform part of the St Ann’s area.  We are also delighted that we are able to assist the City Council in achieving a key part of their regeneration plan and we will continue to work in partnership with the Council to deliver their objectives,” added Matt Cooney, LHA-ASRA Group Chief Executive. 

All homes on the project will be built to high environmental and design standards, with the houses achieving Level 4 of the Code for Sustainable Homes. Improvements to the public realm and green space, including Rocket Park, have been incorporated in the plans. 

Located on the north eastern fringes of Nottingham city centre, Stonebridge Park is a 60s built estate of around 500 homes now suffering from poor housing standards and bad connectivity typical of ‘Radburn’ layout estates.

For more information contact Ian Dutton, HCA Communications Manager, 0115 852 6938, ian.dutton@hca.gsx.gov.uk
Ends
  

Notes to editors:

The Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the single, national housing and regeneration delivery agency for England.  Our vision is to create opportunity for people to live in homes they can afford in places they want to live, by enabling local authorities and communities to deliver the ambition they have for their own areas.   

Limmen Gardens: After demolition

All of the Limmen Gardens flats were demolished in 2009-10, the site cleared, and grassed over ready for redevelopment. These photographs were all taken recently.  The top photograph is a view from the air taken in 2007. At the bottom of the photo is Dennet Road with a right turn leading to the Bluebell Hill Community Centre, and end cul-de-sack. The Pym walk footpath runs  from left to right at this point.  The blocks of flats are clearly shown. The  top road is Limmen Gardens Road, with an immediate left turn,  and the row of flats is on the right.

 Limmen Gardens from the air. 2007
Site of the top row of flats opposite Bluebell Hill Community Centre. 2011
 Site of the middle row of flats from the Pym Walk footpath
 Site of the bottom row of flats from Pym Walk footpath, Rocket Park is on the right. 2011
Site of flats, on the left seen from Limmen Gardens Road. 2011
 A view of the same site. 2011

Limmen Gardens: Flats

Limmen Gardens is situated on the west of the Stonebridge Park Estate, with the Pym Walk footpath running down the south side next to the Bluebell Hill Community Centre. There use to be a pedestrian underpass here leading under Beaconhill Rise Road, however, it was filled in in 2003. Limmen Gardens road runs off Beaconhill Rise road, with the main body of flats on the right hand side, and a long row of flats on the left in front of the green open space. The road leads down, round the corner to a cul-de-sac, facing Jersey Gardens. The flats were built in 1976, and all were demolished in 2009-10. These photographs show the flats as they were in 2004.

A view looking down Pym Walk footpath with the community centre on the right, Limmen Gardens is on the left
This is a view of the lower block of flats on Limmen Gardens from Pym Walk footpath, the green is behind the top block of flats.
 This is the site of the former pedestrian underpass and the beginning of the Pym Walk footpath. 2011
 A view of the Limmen Gardens flats looking from Limmen Gardens Road
 The top row of flats on Limmen Gardens from the road
Another view of the same flats from Limmen Gardens road, which has a left turn along this side street, ending at a cul-de-sac.
 The last two Limmen Gardens flats on the same road. Another filled in pedestrian underpass is situated opposite.2008

Thursday 21 April 2011

Stonebridge Public Meeting: 7 March 2007

It was quickly apparent as I entered the main hall at 7 p.m that the turn out was better than expected with the room full to capacity, about 150, perhaps more were present. It was better organised with a speaker system and radio microphones allowing locals in the room to be heard when asking questions, while the presentation was audible to everyone.

In this summery of the meeting I only intend to summarise the main points of the speakers, as it was clear decisions had been made to clarify a number of points raised during the recent consultation process.

The main emphasis was to say that the consultation had been an overwhelming success with 78% of locals being consulted, and 74% in favour of the regeneration scheme and wanted it to go ahead; about 4% had reservations. The total number of residences on the Stonebridge Park Estate being 437.

We were told that all of the officers of Nottingham City Council, City Homes, and LHA_ASRA were “excited” by the scheme and the new plans for the estate.

There were some problems highlighted during the recent consultation process that needed to be addressed, and a number of these had led to changes on the Master Plan, the new plan was on the main wall to be viewed by those at the meeting, although it was just A4 in size and no copies had been handed out to all of those present.

There were concerns about roads and new access roads becoming ‘rat-runs.’ The closure of half of the estate’s interlocking footpaths that made access to the rear of properties quite difficult, and the height of the new perimeter fences, which some people felt, was going to be too low to facilitate good security.

The hazardous Beacon Hill Rise Road then got a mention. With all of the pedestrian subways going to be filled in and bricked-up, it was important that road safety be considered, and new pedestrian crossings will be introduced on Beacon Hill Rise, and St Matthias Roads. Money had now been found from “funds held by the Highways Dept of the City Council.” The meeting was not told how much money, and which financial year?

Both City Homes retained houses, and owner-occupier homes, would benefit from external improvements. All new windows & doors (“double-glazing” was not mentioned); external insulated cladding of properties will be carried out. Every property would have a new perimeter wall.

Work to bring all Stonebridge estate properties up to the government set ‘decent homes standard’ would begin in May this year. It is not known what part of the estate would be done first.

Internal improvements were the homeowner’s responsibility for new bathrooms, kitchen, or District Heating etc., the on site contractors would need to be paid prior to the work, and for those with difficulty paying the full price in one go, the City Council would provide a facility for financial loans.

At least two properties were fitted with old obsolete district heating that was too expensive to run, however, owner-occupiers still had to cover the full replacement cost of the system (I understand, in the region of £1,400). In addition, the meeting was told that those properties that did not have district heating; the owners would not be compelled to be connected to the heating system.

In questions from the floor it was pointed out that a number tenants had respiratory illnesses of bronchitis or asthma. Others were concerned about the dust, chemicals & dirt raised during the slum clearance of the blocks of flats & maisonettes, and build programme. Dirt or mud being brought into their homes soiling carpets and decorations.

The dust and dirt would be kept to a minimum, they were told, however, it was inevitable some dirt/mud would be around from when the work actually began, and over the next few years. Asked whether there would be any compensation to cover such eventualities, the speaker bluntly said “NO,” and stepped away from the microphone.

Beryl Whitehead took the stand to talk about improving children’s facilities at the Bluebell Hill Community centre, while Rocket Park would need to be filled and levelled to provide better visibility and children’s playground equipment.

One woman from the floor pointed out that there are presently nowhere for teenage children & youths to go and socialise, such as a youth club, or things to do. Russell Youth club was then mentioned, accept this is only open two days a week, and not situated on the Stonebridge Park Estate.

Would there be any small playgrounds on the Stonebridge Park Estate? With the large number of new houses being built, that it is hoped working class families with children, or new couples wanting to start a family would buy to finance the Regeneration Scheme, surely, there would need to be some attraction.

“There is no playground or children’s play facilities included in the Master Plan for the estate,” we were told. “All houses would have a perimeter wall as standard.” We were all left wondering how the new family houses would sell if this is all there is to attract families to the Stonebridge Park Estate. After all, the sale of all of the newly built houses & apartments was central to the financial success of the scheme.

A brief mention to the setting up of the new Stonebridge Board was then given. The next meeting of the Stonebridge Steering Committee to launch the new board is 12 March 2007.

The meeting ended at 8 40 p.m.

Eastham Close: Mr George Graham

In their Spring 2008 Newsletter Leicester Housing Association announce the start of the Stonebridge Park Regeneration Scheme following the demolition of the first block of flats in Eastham Close. Local resident Mr George Graham is shown looking on. His wife Maureen Graham was the chairlady of Stonebridge Park Tenants & Residents Association between summers 2003 – 2007 when she passed away. Mr Graham died in January 2011

 

Eastham Close: 15th - 22nd April 2011

Construction on the Eastham Close site began in late January 2011; this series of photographs shows the progress up to 15th April. The size of the rooms seems small. Entrance to the new building is via Eastham Road.

A view along Eastham Close Road
 Eastham Close site from Beacon hill Rise Road
The same construction viewed from the Eastham footpath
On the Edge of the site, a view from the Eastham Close footpath looking towards the former Peveril Pub, which was demolished in 2007
 These new building foundations were built in a single day, and located butted up to the Eastham Close footpath, top of Lytton Close. 2011

Eastham Close: 2008

Eastham Close flats were demolished in January 2008, and the nearby pedestrian subway was filled in with the remnants of the building. This series of photographs shows Eastham Road, and the site of the flats grassed over in 2008. Building work began on this site in mid january 2011.

 A view along Eastham Close Road. 2009
 The site of Eastham Close Flats looking to the north. 2009
 The same site looking south. 2009
Eastham Close from Beacon hill Rise Road, the subway was located in the distance at the end of the wall. 2009