GREEN LIGHT FOR REGENERATION

Ian Austin MP, Regional Minister for the West Midlands, came to Coventry to announce that the £360m redevelopment of the north-east of the city is to go ahead, despite the economic slowdown.

The MP was in the area to officially open New Deal for Communities’ £11m Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre, which signaled the start of the major physical change in the four NDC neighbourhoods.

The redevelopment of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore is due to start in April 2010.  The project is being led by Whitefriars Housing Group, in partnership with Coventry City Council, Coventry New Deal for Communities (NDC) and private sector partners Bovis Homes, Keepmoat Homes and Westbury Partnerships.

The details of the scheme were finalised with the input of local residents. It will see up to 3,328 new homes being built over the next 12 – 15 years. Work will also take place to improve the local environment. New roads, shops, green spaces and play areas are planned.

Coventry City Council passed a ‘resolution’ to grant then passed a ‘resolution’ to grant outline planning permission and then passed to the Secretary of state who confirmed the application was not to be called in for scrutiny by her office. CCC are finalizing the agreement with the developers for the open space improvements and then should grant approval of the outline plans in the next few weeks.

Ian Austin has engaged the support of key government regeneration agencies, including the Homes and Communities Agency and Advantage West Midlands, who has pledged to contribute £10m funding to ensure a start on site in April 2010, and also Advantage West Midlands.

He said: “It’s really important that we provide real help now and get projects like this on track to keep the construction industry moving, save jobs and boost the economy.

“I am delighted to announce that I have been able to secure agreement to a package of measures which will ensure that the redevelopment of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore proceeds despite the economic downturn.

“I have worked closely with the local and regional organisations to ensure this project can go ahead. As a result construction work on the first 600 homes, out of a total of 3,328 to be delivered over the next 15 years, will start on site by April next year.”

The regional minister’s involvement was welcomed by local residents.  Martin Smith, who lives in Henley Green, is chair of the residents’ Regeneration Action Team, which is helping to shape decision-making on the redevelopment. 

He said: “This is really exciting news for local residents.  The announcement from MP Ian Austin gives us more reason to celebrate as we can finally tell residents when the scheme will begin. The opening of our new Centre is a clear signal to the community about what this area will be like in the future, especially as it was residents who called for this to be one of the first redevelopment projects.  Our role as the Regeneration Action Team is now to keep working with the developers and other officers to make sure we continue to influence the design and build of our new homes.”

Councillor Gary Ridley, Cabinet Member (City Development) said: "I am delighted at the news of this funding – it's great for the NDC area and for Coventry.  We have worked closely with local people to ensure that we make real and lasting change for the people who live there now as well as for future generations.

"Due to the economic downturn, housing developments across the country are grinding to a halt so it's fantastic news that it's all systems go in Coventry.  The leisure and neighbourhood centre is a truly impressive building. It has rightly set the design bar high and I am confident the new homes will be equally impressive."

David Ward, managing director of Keepmoat Homes, on behalf of private sector developers BKW, said: “We have continued to work with the local community and planning officials over the last two years, in a very challenging environment. Our ability to successfully achieve planning consent on a scheme of this quality and nature clearly demonstrates BKW’s commitment to community regeneration.”

Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Community Centre, on Winston Avenue was funded by Coventry NDC and is a new state-of-the-art building that was prioritised by local residents which combines leisure facilities with a neighbourhood centre.  It also benefited from a £1m donation from the Football Foundation.

In addition to a sports hall, fitness suite and football pitches, local agencies, such as Coventry New Deal for Communities and social services have offices on site.  Local people are also already enjoying the café and internet facilities.

This new building, which is in the heart of the four neighbourhoods that it serves, is part of the wider regeneration programme that is being led by Coventry’s New Deal for Communities.  The organisation has already helped deliver new schools, improved educational attainment, lower crime rates and unemployment and improvements to health.