“The Bedroom Tax is bad economics …. and profoundly bad politics.”

By David Orr, chief executive of the National Housing Federation

One way and another, I’ve been involved in negotiations about social policy with governments for most of my working life. Governments come and go, ministers come and go and decisions are made. Some of these decisions I agree with, others I disagree with – but that’s life. It’s the way the world works and the way of politics. That’s as true now as it has ever been.

Very occasionally, though, something comes along that is different. These are huge changes that affect the lives of millions and that you know are just wrong. The bedroom tax is one of these once in a generation decisions that is wrong in every respect. It’s bad policy, it’s bad economics, it’s bad for hundreds of thousands of ordinary people whose lives will be made difficult for no benefit – and I think it’s about to become profoundly bad politics.
The government argues that the bedroom tax will do two things. It will save money from the housing benefit bill and will encourage more efficient use of our present social housing. There is, of course, an inherent contradiction here. It can’t save money if people move and stop ‘under occupying’, because then there would be no penalty and therefore no saving. At best, it can do one or the other. And as there is a saving assumed of £465m, we have to conclude that this is about cutting the benefit bill, not using the homes more efficiently. That money can’t be saved unless people stay put– so let’s nail the idea that there is a generous social policy motivation.

The frustrating thing is that some people will feel forced to move. The family with a 7 year old son and a 9 year old daughter in a small three bedroom home will pay the penalty as two children of different sexes under the age of 10 will be required to share a room. They move, perhaps to a different part of town, or even to a different town, with consequent disruption to schooling, to a cramped 2 bedroom flat. In a year, when the daughter is 10, the rules say the two children should have separate rooms. So either they stay where they are, overcrowded according to the size-criteria, or they move again with all the disruption that entails. This from a government that believes education is key to a successful future and wants to support family life.

Saturday 30th March 2013, Protests around the UK

Many will choose to stay, or will have to stay. The government may say that a couple, one of whom has muscular dystrophy and has to sleep in her own room, should only have one bedroom and sleep together, presumably at whatever cost to her health (and the health of her husband). What will this end up costing these two people – and the NHS? If they stay in their two bedroom home, they will struggle to make ends meet. And the carer, who costs the state nothing and does it because he loves his wife, might need help and will buy in expensive care – at the cost of the state.

I’ve read hundreds of emails from people who are terrified at the prospect of the bedroom tax. One woman with COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) believes that moving will kill her and that the worry is already putting her on the verge of a hospital admission. Then there’s the granny in a two bedroom bungalow who helps out her single parent daughter by having the kids to stay most weekends.

If you’ve read some of the more lurid reports in the tabloids, you might believe that there are thousands of people living on their own in five bedroom mansions. The truth is that 80% of all those affected are regarded as having one ‘spare’ room. Spare. That’s an interesting idea. These rooms are not lying empty. They are where the kids do their homework and sleep. That’s a bedroom, not a spare room. They are where the equipment is stored for the family with a multi handicapped son. They are where kids stay when they visit the father who is separated from their mother. They are rooms where the messy business of living goes on in an ordinary way.

These are ordinary people striving to lead ordinary lives. They are poor or disabled or vulnerable and are now being vilified and penalised for their poverty, disability and vulnerability. They are our neighbours, our friends, our family. They are us.

“The bedroom tax will cause huge personal distress. It will cost the nation money and will undermine our view of ourselves as a caring society. It is mean spirited and malign. It attacks family life and is the enemy of aspiration. It will fail to improve the use of our housing and it may not even save money. It is incompetent and unfair and should be repealed.”

‘Well Wishers’ on Sneinton market today promoting ‘St Ann’s Well.’

Top Left: Richard Brown & Colin Haynes. Top Right: Carly Williams. Bottom Left: Frank Shelton from Carlton; and Bottom Right Colin Haynes holding a Snowy Owl.

Well Wishers Richard Brown & Colin Haynes held a public exhibition on Sneinton Market today, and it was all about raising awareness of the history of St Ann’s ‘magical well.’ formerly located on land at The Gardener’s Pub near Kildare Road, Mapperley. The pub has since been demolished to make way for 9 new social houses on the site. Carly Williams of local community group St Ann’s projects, posed for this publicity photo of ‘The Lady in Robin Hood’s Chair,’ a pagan ritual of bygone days.

Heron Foods want to turn a former St Ann’s pub into shops

 Exclusive In a surprise development the former Westminster public house in St Ann’s has been acquired by Heron Foods, a family owned food retailer based in the East Riding area of Yorkshire, who are dedicated to bringing its customers the best value in frozen chilled and grocery products.

Heron Foods presently operate 235 stores trading in the north of England, and the Midlands, including Unit 35-37 Tanners Walk in the Broadmash Shopping Centre.

There was great sadness in St Ann’s last autumn after the Westminster suddenly closed down on Tuesday 27^th November 2011, and was ceiled up with steel shutters.

Having acquired the building, the Carlton Branch of Jehovah’s Witnesses, put in a planning application to Nottingham City Council in December to convert the ground floor area into a place of worship. This was to replace their over crowded Kingdom Hall located in Victoria Park, St Ann’s. However, nothing was heard from the Jehovah’s Witnesses or the City Council.

Now on behalf of Heron Foods, the Agent, White Design UK Ltd of Sheffield, submitted the latest planning application on 25^th March.

The planning Ref Number is 13/00655/PFUL3. Under the new plans the two storey building is to be retained. Dilapidated sections of the single storey building are to be demolished.

New single storey walls are to be constructed in line with the existing footprint and internal walls at ground floor level are to be removed to provide open retail floor areas, wherever possible, with the inclusion of new structural steelwork.

The pitched roof to the two storey building is to be retained and repaired. A new flat roof is to be constructed above all ground floor single storey components.

The ground floor is to be extended to create two retail units, Unit 1 will be 280 square meters, and Unit 2 268 square meters. Heron Foods will occupy Unit one.

The first floor living space is to be converted into two apartments, both being 60 square meters in size. Access to the first floor apartments is via a dedicated staircase and walkway accessed from the rear of the property.

Planning notices will now be put up in the area of the former Westminster pub, and the period of time when locals may object to the plans is likely to last until the end of April 2013

By Richard Pearson

Easter at Stonebridge City Farm

Mad Hatter's Tea Party 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Lots of children and their parents braved the cold to Attend Stonebridge City Farm on Good Friday.

Lucy the raspberry blowing goat, and baby lambs were the star attraction, while children enjoyed crafts & the annual Easter egg hunt.

The Farm’s canteen was full to capacity much of the time, as it was the warmest place to be on the farm! There was also lots of good food.

The Easter events will continue for several more days,  11am – 3pm, while all of the children are enjoying their school holidays.

*The two children in the photo album are Jessica & Angelina Gaskell, with their mum June who live in Mapperley, Nottingham.

Problems delay plans for new St Ann’s ASDA Store

UPDATED   In a meeting with City Council Leader Jon Collins on 27th March, I was informed that Blueprint now want to build a much bigger store on the Wright & Dobson land, with the adjacent Co-op site being used as the store car park. The City Council are presently unsure whether the new plans are right for the area, as it would take away trade from surrounding shops.

The announcement of the new ASDA store came in April 2012 with a consultation event at Stonebridge City Farm.The store is an exciting new project for developer Blueprint, which has offices in Nottingham’s Lace Market.

After speaking to Blueprint’s Development Director Peter Conboy, Alice Rossi for the developer said today  “I understand that discussions are still taking place between Asda and the council, mainly about store design, and that once these are concluded, a planning application will be put in based on what has been concluded.”

I understand that the developer/Asda have now changed the design of their store, and that planners are reviewing the new store plans prior it being submitted as a planning application. The original plan was a store with a grass roof, and containing wooden structures that made it economically friendly.

Alice Rossi of Igloo (Blueprint)

Mr Andrew Gregory Head of Development Management and Regeneration at Nottingham City Council informed me “I am afraid that we do not have any further news at present regarding a new ASDA store.

“As soon as we have something firmed up and in the public domain then we would be pleased to share this information with you.”

City Council planners are mindful that Sainsbury's have now submitted plans to build a new super store on land in Netherfield to Gedling Borough Council. While Tesco withdrew plans to build a new store on the former Boots Island site in London Road in early 2012; which fit into the bigger picture.

I have no idea about the timescale involved. When I asked about this, Mr Gregory said “As mentioned, we actually don’t have any further information ourselves regarding a planning application or timing for one at present.”

While Alice Rossi replied “I’m afraid I can’t add a timescale though – maybe get back in touch in a couple of months and I can give you an update then?”

By Richard Pearson

Police Crime figures for February 2013

For the second month in a row the worst place for crime has been Wadhurst Gardens. During February there have been 11 incidents of antisocial behaviour. Please exercise caution when passing through the area, especially during the hours of darkness.

Beacon Hill Rise Road Nr Dennett Road: ASB 1
Dennett Close: ASB 1
Melville Gardens: Drugs 1
Magson Close: Robbery 1
St Matthias Road Near Lord Alcester pub: Criminal damage 1; Violent crime 3

The Police Beat Team for the area are: PC Paul Deane Phone: 07792 437357 | PCSO Nikita Harris Phone: 07525 226899 | PCSO Michelle Kent  Phone: 07702 141842 | CPO Jordan Cashmore Phone: 07960 431910

The Bedroom Tax – City Council helps 1,131 tenants

With less then a week to go before the introduction of the unpopular “Bedroom Tax,” St Ann’s Councillor, Dave Liversidge, Portfolio Holder for Adults, Housing and the Community Sector, and lan Curryer Corporate Director of Housing, have both made two important executive decisions:

(1) High rise properties will all be considered to be one-bedroom in line with existing allocations policies; and (2) In respect of Council dwellings, a room measuring less than 50 square feet (4.6m2) will not be classed as a “bedroom”.

Above - High Rise flats Hartley Road, Radford --- Below Right Councillor David Liversidge

The decision means that from today 1,131 tenants will be exempt from paying the Bedroom Tax from 1st April, depriving the Conservative government of over £15,000 per week (£831,000 a year).

The Council lets 362 older peoples' flats and 1,518 general needs flats in high rise tower blocks. Of these general needs flats 499 were built as 1 bed flats and 1,019 were originally built as 2 bed flats. The Council's allocation policy has, however, precluded families with dependent children from occupying high-rise flats for the past decade. They are let to single people and couples irrespective of the bedroom count.

The City Council says “It is proposed to more accurately classify all high rise second bedrooms as a study to ensure future letting viability. The rent levels for these properties have been reviewed in accordance with the rent-setting powers contained in section 24 of the Housing Act 1985 as amended and the change of designation will have no impact on the level of rent to be charged. There will be no impact on the lettings policy.”

There are a number of properties where the size of the smallest bedroom is less than 50 square feet (4.6m2). The Council is adopting this standard of 50 square feet (4.6m2) as the minimum size for a bedroom with effect from 1 April 2013. The Council has used the 1985 Housing Act space standard to inform its decision that 50 sq. foot is an appropriate minimum size. It is not considered reasonable to include rooms below this size when determining the number of bedrooms in these properties.

From analysis so far, the council says 112 properties have been identified where the smallest bedroom is below 50sq ft. These will no longer be counted as bedrooms. Tenants will be invited to apply for a determination of their smallest bedroom based on the standard adopted if they believe their home is also affected by this change. The rent levels for these properties have been reviewed in accordance with the rent-setting powers contained in section 24 of the Housing Act 1985 as amended and the change of designation will have no impact on the level of rent to be charged. There will be no impact on the lettings policy. This approach will, however, slightly increase the supply of 2 bedroom properties which are in short supply.

By Richard Pearson

Stonebridge resident boosts Spring ‘Road Safety Campaign’

Mr Robert Wyman of Lytton Close, Stonebridge Park, has had a busy week collecting more than 100 signatures for the new ‘Friends of Rocket Park’ road safety campaign.

Double-parked cars along both Beacon Hill Rise Road & Stonebridge Road are making it unsafe for local tenants & their young children who are left with no alternative except try to cross in between the parked cars.

In addition motorists racing along Beacon Hill Rise Road is making the highway very hazardous.

The petition will be presented to local councillors in may before the next Area 6 (East) committee meeting.

‘Planning Nightmare’ to begin on Tuesday

Planning reforms unveiled a year ago have led to an extra 25,000 homes being built and MPs and campaigners are warning that the situation will get worse once the new rules finally come into force this week.

Download a copy of the new National Planning Policy Framework here

Communities across the country are bracing themselves for developers to try to exploit planning reforms and build across swathes of England once the National Planning Policy Framework comes into force just after midnight on Tuesday 26th March.

The news came as Planning Inspectorate, which adjudicates on contentious applications, is warning privately of a “shock” to the system from the reforms, and is taking on more staff to deal with an expected surge in appeals this summer.

Developers are also exploiting a loophole in the new framework which will force councils to make more greenfield sites available for building.

Builders are using the new rule book to force councils to drop uneconomic scrubland areas from five-year housing plans because they were not “viable”, and replace them with more greenfield sites.

By Christopher Hope, Senior Political Correspondent

Chris Leslie MP Visits the Robin Hood Chase

9th March

Food banks are growing at a rapid rate across the country, and Nottingham is no exception – where there are reportedly 14 now in operation. On Friday I visited the food bank being run out of the former laundrette on the Chase by St Ann’s Advice Centre (pictured below) – a service which has already helped 193 people with no income to get basic food supplies since it was established in January. These food banks need donations and rely upon the voluntary goodwill of churches, supermarkets, schools and members of the public to make sure supplies can keep up with demand. For instance, the St Ann’s Advice Centre Food Bank currently needs long life milk and tinned ready meals which are running out (and if anyone can drop off a donation at their offices, please do so!).
 
The team working at the food bank explained to me that, for example, changes to the Employment & Support Allowance assessments have seen many people suddenly without the means to get by. And the new financial year beginning in a few weeks time will bring major changes affecting the living standards and well being of thousands in East Nottingham. The decision by the Government to scrap the existing Social Fund Crisis Loans and community care grants to help people in transition to independent living with the basics (including people leaving long term care or prisoners leaving prison) will mean that already hard-pressed local authorities have to pick up the pieces here. Add to these changes the new council tax bills and housing cost increases and we have a recipe for real hardship in the months ahead. We seem to be entering an era of greater reliance on charities and private welfare – but with no certainties that philanthropy can cope with the scale of need in the community. In my view this is an intolerable way to structure society in the 21st century; but for the time being I wish the volunteers well in their vital work at the food banks.

The Bedroom Tax – Nottingham East
 
We’re just over three weeks away from the introduction of the so-called ‘bedroom tax’ on those living in social housing and in receipt of housing benefit but with a ‘spare’ room for which they will have to pay more. There are 1,569 people affected by this change in Nottingham East constituency. Although David Cameron prefers to call it a “spare room subsidy” (reminiscent of Thatcher’s preference for calling the Poll Tax the ‘community charge’..), it is unfair and unworkable. For instance, they are hitting families of soldiers serving our country who will have to find extra money for their son or daughter’s bedroom, and penalising foster families helping children in need of a home. Parents who have separated but want to have overnight visits from children to stay in contact will also lose out for that apparently ‘spare room’. I have heard cases of disabled people in council and housing association homes who will have to pay more when they need more space due to their disability. And the bedroom tax comes in at exactly the same time as the Government are giving thousands of millionaires a tax cut of £100,000 a year. I am all for sensible welfare reform that is tough and fair. But this isn’t about tough choices, it is about the wrong choices.

By Chris Leslie MP (Labour, Nottingham East)

The Big Dig at Stonebridge City Farm!

Would you like to get involved with our Big Dig? Join us on Sunday 17th March, 11am - 3pm to help us with our mini wildflower meadows and edible container growing! If you have your own garden at home, buy some organically grown fruit bushes, herb and flower plants.

■ Mad Hatter's Tea Party
Friday, 29 March 2013 12:00 AM
Join us for tea parties, games, arts & crafts and a whole lot more!

■ Volunteering Event
Saturday, 20 April 2013 02:00 PM
Inductions for those of you that would like to volunteer at the farm.

■ Teddy Bear's Picnic
Monday, 6 May 2013 10:00 AM
Bring all your teddy friends and have a picnic with us at the farm, with games, arts & crafts and lots more!

■ Volunteering Event
Sunday, 9 June 2013 01:00 PM
Inductions for those of you that would like to volunteer at the farm.

Keepmoat Homes given planning permission

With just one abstention Nottingham City Council Development Committee unanimously granted planning permission to Keepmoat Homes Ltd this afternoon to allow them to build 111 social houses on the Stonebridge Park Estate.

As the plans came before the committee, Councillor Malcolm Wood criticized the grey brock style windows protruding from the frontage of some of the new homes, which he described as “brutal” in design. Councillor Sally Longford agreed, saying that the window glass appeared to be on the inside the the properties, therefore light entering the rooms would be very “limited by the frame protrusions.” She also pointed out that the houses fronted onto St Matthias Road, and in her opinion this would attract youths sitting on the protruding window ledges.

After a debate It was agreed that this subject would be taken up with the Developer Keepmoat Homes in order to lesson the impact of the bold frames before work begins on site later this year.

The only objection to the plans came from the Environment Agency who were concerned about water drainage of the land which could result in flooding in heavy rain conditions. However, this was resolved by the Developer prior to the plans going before the committee this afternoon.

By Richard Pearson

Stonebridge Park house plans set to be approved

UPDATED This afternoon the next Planning Committee meeting of the City Council will determine the outcome of the planning application by Keepmoat Homes Ltd to build 111 new houses on the Stonebridge Park Estate. The application is brought to Committee because it relates to a major development of significant local interest. The Committee is recommended to grant planning permission subject to conditions.

This is a full planning application submitted by Keepmoat Housing for phases 3 and 6 of the regeneration project. Keepmoat has successfully bid for £620,000 from central governments ‘Get Britain Building’ fund and is working in partnership with the City Council to secure the development. It seeks permission for 111 dwellings (revised from 110 dwellings) which would comprise of 31 x 2 bedroom, and 81 x 3 bedroom dwellings. There are proposed to be 8 affordable housing units, which would be for social rent (operated by ASRA). The remaining 103 units would be for private dwellings for sale on the open market.

The development proposes to utilise and extend the existing vehicular access roads along Jersey Gardens and Flewitt Gardens. A new access road would be created along the line of the existing pedestrian route from St Matthias Road to Pym Walk (not connected) which would link into either end of Flewitt Gardens. The proposed road layout would provide vehicular access for the new dwellings and existing properties who will then be provided with vehicular access from the new road as part of future estate improvements. The proposal would involve the overall reduction of pedestrian footpaths which cross the site.

The dwellings would mainly be two storeys in height, with 2/3 storey split level properties fronting St Matthias Road and would form a mixture of semi-detached, terraced and detached dwellings. They are proposed to be traditional in design and constructed within a restricted palette of materials consisting of a red brick, render some accent timber effect cladding with grey tiled roof, with grey UPVC windows.

The developer has committed to work with the Council’s Employment and Skills team to deliver local employment and training opportunities relating to construction jobs and has agreed to financial contributions towards public open space and education provision. These have been secured through the development agreement for the sale of the land.

Stonebridge Friends launch road safety petition

After a decade of ill action by Nottingham City Council’s Highways Department the ‘Friends of Stonebridge Park’ have today launched a new road safety campaign to put an end to double-parked cars on Beacon Hill Rise Road & nearby Stonebridge Road, and insist new traffic calming measures are introduced to prevent cars using Beacon Hill Rise as ‘a race track.’

The spring campaign began with the introduction of a petition which all local tenants & residents living in the area are to sign, and representatives from the Highways Department’ and local councillors are being invited along to the groups next public meeting.

FOSP will next meet at Bluebell Hill Community Centre on April 17th, 7pm – 8:30pm.

Special Report: (3) The Institute of Fiscal Studies

Green Budget: February 2013 –
“The Bedroom Tax”

From April 2013, working-age Housing Benefit (HB) claimants in social housing who are deemed to be under occupying their homes will have their maximum HB awards reduced. Bedroom needs will be assessed as a function of family type, in exactly the same way as already happens for Local Housing Association (LHA) claimants in the private rented sector. The stated rationales for the policy are to reduce expenditure, to encourage more efficient use of the social housing stock and to treat private renters (whose HB entitlements are already linked to family size) and social renters more equitably. It is expected to affect about 660,000 families in 2013–14, which is about one-third of working-age social-renting Housing Benefit claimants. The 81% of affected families who have one more bedroom than they are deemed to need will have awards cut by 14%; the other 19% of those affected, who have at least two more bedrooms than they are deemed to need, will have awards cut by 25%. The affected families stand to lose an average of about £14 per week, and this is expected to cut the Housing Benefit budget by about £490 million per year.

Who ‘under occupies’ social housing? In the East midlands based on DWP’s Impact Assessment, 40,000 people will be affected who stand to lose on average £12 per week.

Social landlords may respond to the policy by allocating families to properties using different criteria; increasing efforts to identify overcrowding and under occupying tenants and encourage them to exchange homes; and building more smaller (particularly one-bedroom) properties. Affected tenants will have somewhat strengthened work incentives (there will be less Housing Benefit to lose if they enter work or increase their earnings) and there may therefore be employment responses on their part. If they are unable to find an appropriately sized socially rented property, they may respond by moving to a private rental property and claim LHA (this could, in principle, end up as more or less expensive to the taxpayer than the original Housing Benefit claim). Another possible behavioural response, which illustrates the sorts of trade-offs one always has to bear in mind in designing benefit policies, is in fertility rates. One way for an under occupying family to avoid an increased rent shortfall without having to move home is to have an additional child or, perhaps more plausibly, bring forward the birth of an additional child that they would have had anyway. About 42% of Housing Benefit claimants affected by the reform are aged under 45 (roughly childbearing age).

It is worth noting that the greater the extent to which the policy encourages more efficient usage of social housing, the less it will reduce expenditure on Housing Benefit. If under occupying and overcrowding households effectively swap homes in response, then both groups of households will be able to cover all their rent through HB claims, just as they could before the policy was implemented.

Special Report: The Institute of Fiscal Studies

Green Budget: February 2013 – Welfare benefit changes

Universal Credit

Universal Credit is set to replace six means-tested benefits and tax credits for working- age claimants with a single integrated benefit. Specifically, it will replace Income Support, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA), income-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Housing Benefit, Working Tax Credit and Child Tax Credit. The roll-out of Universal Credit is planned to begin in some pilot areas in the North West of England in April 2013, and in the rest of the country from October 2013. New claimants of Income Support and income-based JSA will be the first group to be treated under the new system. Existing claimants will begin to be moved onto Universal Credit from April 2014.

Although relatively few families will be affected by the change during 2013–14, over time Universal Credit will represent one of the biggest changes to the structure of the welfare system for working-age people since 1948.

A single benefit claim

Whereas under the current system many claimants have to submit claims for a number of different benefits to different agencies (such as local councils for Housing Benefit, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for Income Support, and HMRC for tax credits), Universal Credit will require a single claim for a single benefit. This should be simpler for claimants – saving them time, and possibly reducing error and increasing take-up – and be easier to administer and check (reducing error and fraud). By integrating the systems of out-of-work benefits and in-work tax credits, it might also encourage more people to enter paid work by smoothing the transition.

Less frequent payments

Most families will receive Universal Credit on a monthly basis, with entitlements based on circumstances during the previous month and calculated using ‘real-time’ information from employers. This should result in far fewer under- and over payments than the current system and may reduce the amount of fraud and error. The flip side is that using information from the previous month (rather than self-reported information) may mean payments do not respond to changes in circumstances as quickly as they can now.

Concerns have also been raised about the ability of Universal Credit recipients to budget properly on a monthly, as opposed to weekly, basis and to manage payment of rent to landlords (Housing Benefit is generally paid directly to landlords in the social rented.

Friends of Stonebridge Park

CRIME fears and dangerous driving are some of the issues that a new residents' group hopes to tackle.

The Friends of Stonebridge Park group will also represent people's views on housing developments and regeneration in their part of St Ann's.

It aims to fill a hole left by the Stonebridge Park Tenants' and Residents' Association, which folded in December.

^{From left, Nottingham City Homes Patch Manager Carol Dworzanski
with local residents Sylvia Miller, Richard Pearson, Dave Mawere and
Lucy Auma-Okia.}

The group held a preliminary meeting last week at Bluebell Hill Community Centre and will have a full meeting to discuss aims and objectives next month.

Lucy Auma-Okia, of Dennett Close, is coordinating the group in its early stages.

The 47-year-old said: "We're trying to set something up. It's not a typical residents' association; we've extended it by allowing more people interested in the area."

The group is set to elect its leadership and outline a constitution at its next meeting.

Mrs Auma-Okia said: "At the moment, we are just getting started. We need to get t the core members elected and start putting forward issues and getting people interested.

"One of the issues brought up was crime in the area and dangerous driving. We're trying to see if we can get traffic-calming measures and we just want to represent the community."

The group has been formed to supervise the city council's regeneration scheme for the estate and also several proposed housing developments.

These include overseeing the £11,000 revamp of new equipment at Rocket Park and giving views on the construction of 15 new homes in Limmen Gardens and 110 new homes at Jersey Gardens and Flewitt Gardens area of the estate by Keepmoat Homes Ltd.

Mrs Auma-Okia said: "We can give feedback to the planners and learn from each other."

Richard Pearson, 55, who lives in Belle View Court, said: "The new Friends of Stonebridge Park group allows us to invite former tenants who once lived on our estate to come along to our meetings, and see how much has changed.

"It will also enable us to link in with community events organised by Friends of Stonebridge City Farm and the Blue Bell Hill Community Centre."

The next public meeting will take place on April 17 from 7pm-8.30pm at Blue bell Hill Community Centre.

The meeting will feature updates on Crime and plans for a new Asda supermarket in Carlton Road.

A spokeswoman for Nottingham City Homes said: "This new association is a real opportunity for people living in the area - not just tenants, but all our residents - to get involved and create an even more vibrant community."

By Peter Blackburn

St Ann’s Valley Centre -- further delay for new chemist

The £15m St Ann’s Valley Centre was opened a year ago, and it has always been on the cards that a chemist would occupy the vacant unit on the right hand side inside the main entrance.

At that time three pharmacies applied for the privilege of running the new chemist, including Lloyds, and the Co-op on the adjacent Robin Hood Chase.

As 2013 opened it was the Co-op Chemist that was awarded the contract, however, before work could begin plastering the walls of the new unit, I have now been reliably informed that one of its competitors has objected. This is because the Co-op chemist only wants opening times of between 8am – 6pm, while the objector wants to open its doors up to 12 hours to cater for a wider cliental.

Regeneration Officer Alan Parker said this week, that he wants the issue resolved speedily because the block that the  commercial units of the Grocery store & chemist occupy is set to be demolished soon.

By Richard Pearson

Flashback: Hyson Green flats -- a £9m mistake

ATV Today May 4th 1978

47 years ago, on the 8th March 1966, the Nottingham Evening Post published this story about Nottingham City Council’s Housing Committee approving plans to build the Hyson Green flats.

It turned out to be the biggest, and most expensive, planning blunder for the city of Nottingham.

Housing developments at Hyson Green will make it an area for “living,” not one of the “dwellings put up anyhow” Councillor T.J.Arnold told Nottingham City Council yesterday.

As Chairman of the Housing Committee, he was putting forward a £2,433,452 scheme for stage one of the Hyson Green redevelopment, which the council approved.

He described it as an imaginative scheme, and probably one of the best to come before the council.

It would be built by a highly industrialised system and should be completed in about 2 ½ years.

It would have the Coal Board heating scheme and garage and parking space would be on a one for one ratio.

The children’s play areas would take into account the sun coming down on the slopes of the site.

The plans provide for 122 one bedroom flats, 435 two bedroom maisonettes, and 35 three bedroom maisonettes in 31 blocks, five storeys high; 16 shopping bays, 497 garages and 127 parking spaces.

IMAGINITIVE

The layout will have a deck access at second floor level to serve the flats at that level, and the lower and upper maisonettes.

Mr F.C. Woodward agreed that the scheme was imaginative, and added that it was costliest the city had considered. He claimed that the cost per unit would be £4,621 ant that, taking into account the cost of loan repayment over 60 years, the total cost would be over £9m.

The impact on existing council rents would be something like 8d per week per house, he claimed.

Anxiety Over Cost

Mr Bernard Goddard said he supported the report reluctantly, and thought they should take stock of the situation before going forward with any further schemes.

Miss M. McKeon said Hyson Green traders would welcome the scheme, but there was widespread anxiety that the homes would prove to expensive.

Day 6: only 120 miles to go

As I write this I am sat in the physio room was an acupuncture needle in my very sore knee.

Today was tough, and I completed 4 out of 5 stages. I managed the first two stages this morning, but had to skip the middle one because of a very painful knee. I then completed the final 2 stages of the day. It was tough, but knowing tomorrow is the final day does help!

The weather was slightly better today, although still not what you imagine when you think of Cannes!
I am hoping that a night of rest will enable me to complete the final 120 miles tomorrow without my knee causing too many problems.

Here are some photos to give you an idea of the ride so far.
Jon

All media photographs provided by Jon Collins.

1. Riding into the fog; 2 pit stop; 3 riding through thick fog; 4. Jon Collins eating lots of chocolate; 5. Starting off from London.

Robin hood Chase planning application ‘ready by summer’

Regeneration Officer Alan Parker said today that a planning application for the Robin Hood Chase Redevelopment is to be submitted to Nottingham City Development Management in the summer.

The developer and Nottingham City Council are still considering moving the Chase neighbourhood Centre to a more suitable location. Alan Parker said that “we are seriously looking at this option, it all depends on the cost.

“We are presently drawing up the new plans with the developer with the view to working out the cost of the whole scheme, and then we intend to hold a consultation event with local residents sometime in April.

“Some of the shop units may have sheltered accommodation for the elderly above them. A new supermarket remains part of the scheme at the front of the Robin Hood Chase.”

Alan said they were currently talking to a small number of retailers with the aim of bringing the former Co-op store back into use, even if it is on a much smaller scale. “This could involve some form of retail training scheme for the unemployed,” he added.

The last tenants are now being relocated out of the maisonettes above the shops in the lower block presently housing the grocery store & chemist, while Loxley House is also nearly empty.

A date for demolition of Loxley House, the former Health Centre, and lower retail block has yet to be arranged.

Councillor Jon Collins Day 5: 94 miles to go

To date Jon has raised £1,167.0  for The Karen Green Foundation

Apologies for posting this late- thanks for your concern- I am still going!

Yesterday I cycled a further 94 miles in the fog and cold. The sun did make a brief appearance but once again we finished in the rain.

It was another early start and late finish- on the road at 6am finishing at 8.30pm. Definitely looking forward to arriving in Cannes.

Today's weather is slightly better, the sun is beginning to peak through the clouds. I hope to get some pictures up later too.

Appreciate your support.

Jon

Beacon Hill Rise Road improvements get underway

New traffic calming measures are now being installed at the top of Beacon Hill Rise Road adjacent Limmen Gardens and Nugent Gardens. Even when the work is complete these will do nothing to stop some motorists using Beacon Hill Rise Road as a race track during the hours of darkness. The road will continue to be a serious safety hazard for local residents for the foreseeable future.

Councillor Jon Collins Day 4: “The worst weather ever”

The organisers chose to tell us today that this was the worst weather ever experienced on the Cycle to Cannes. The rain and wind continue to make the long distances even more strenuous than anticipated.

Left: Jon Collins by London’s big wheel.

I got up at 4.45 this morning, had breakfast at 5am and got back on my bike. I felt a little sore after the 197 miles completed just yesterday. The first stage went fine, but the second was really difficult. We were cycling into the cold, driving wind and the rain was coming down. My bike seemed to struggle with the conditions, as did I! The bike was slipping gears, caked in mud and experiencing all kinds of problems. Unfortunately, this meant I had to skip a stage.

Over our lunch break, I managed to fix the bike and was riding again this afternoon. I was feeling much better, but I got absolutely drenched once again.

So here we are- 3 cycling days down- 3 to go! Here's hoping the weather picks up tomorrow!

p.s I would be very grateful for any sponsorship to keep me going! Thanks. https://www.justgiving.com/Jonathan-Collins1

Councillor Jon Collins Day 3: Calais to Remis

Last night ended with a slight hiccup as i arrived in France but my luggage remained in Dover. However many tops you have packed, if they get left behind your wet kit is the only thing to turn to!

Total money raised so far £1,098.00 for The Karen Green Foundation. Richard Pearson has donated £10 to this good cause so please do support Jon & donate today.

Another early morning today, getting up at 4.30 for a 6am start. It wasn't raining too much this morning but it was rather foggy! Our views of the French countryside were rather obscured by the fog, but I could see that it was flat and muddy.

By lunchtime it was raining more, and the 95 miles cycled already felt quite a long way. And we still had another 100 to go.

I didn't arrive at the finish point for today until 9pm....197 miles completed today, drenched and still another four days to go!

I hope you will think about sponsoring me if you haven't already- 938 miles in the pouring rain is a long way!

Happy birthday Moffat Close -- ‘St Ann’s projects’

Carly Williams – St Ann’s projects – celebrated their 1st birthday this month tidying up and planting new flowers & shrubs in Moffat Close, St Ann’s. It was a lovely spring day as the volunteers set to work, and all had a slice of birthday cake & refreshment. This short film is by Pardis while Richard Pearson added the sound of Clare Grogan, Happy birthday!

Flashback 4th August 2012: In St Ann’s on Saturday 4th August a team of local volunteers lead by organisers Carly Williams & Martin Summerville helped tidy up and plant new shrubs and herbs in the Moffat Close community garden. Local children joined in the activities as well as chalk drawing, while a student from Barcelona (Spain) helped out, she was Pilar Campuzano. The rest of the people in this group photo are:

Cameron Cumberpatch, Sade Moore, Logan Maguire, Shiannon Kershaw, Alex Kemp, Evonne Cornejo, Dee Kershaw, Ashleigh. Neethan Kershaw, Iona Kelly, Dominic Thompson, Eileen Thompson, Carly Williams and Martin Summerville.

Flash back 4th November 2012: St Ann’s Projects. On Saturday afternoon Carly Williams & friends attended Moffat Close Community Garden for one last time in 2012 to plant new flowers and shrubs.

The site is situated behind the Beacon pub in Blue Bell Hill Road, and lots of the plants have been been donated by a local nursery & Nottingham City Council. Carly would like to say a big “thank you” to them & everyone who has come along to help out this year.

They began work on the site in March when the land was a tip and used for drugs misuse, and after cleaning up the site, began planting and introducing willow fences.

Carly said today that they all looked forward to seeing the garden in a splash of colour next spring.

They have been given a number of old wooden sleepers from a site behind St Ann’s Church on Robin Hood Chase. They will now turn the wood into a number of benches to place around Moffat Close Community Garden early in 2013.

Meanwhile organisers of Nottingham in Bloom have invited Carly William & St Ann’s Projects to design a colourful shrub bed for the grounds of Nottingham Castle, which should be ready by next summer.

It has been a great year for Carly Williams & friends who've made a real difference improving St Ann’s for local residents.