Active Communities
Sustainable Communities Awards 2003
In March 2003, the Deputy Prime Minister announced a new Award for Sustainable Communities, which recognises initiatives that contribute to making areas better places to live and work. The award pays tribute to the commitment from people making a significant contribution towards the building of successful communities. Aspects of good practices can also be recognised throughout the assessment process.
Over 180 nominations were received from all areas across the country. The Deputy Prime Minister announced the initiative winner as the Beacon Community Regeneration Partnership in Falmouth. The scheme covers a very wide range of achievements - from housing to health, linking in with the local economy, and clearly meeting many requirements set out in the Communities Plan.
Winner of the Deputy Prime Minister's Award for Sustainable Communities 2003
Beacon Community Regeneration Partnership, Falmouth
By the mid 1990s, Penwerris Estate tenants suffered poverty, high levels of teenage pregnancy, and crime and poor health.
The desire to improve conditions led 2 health visitors to stimulate formation of a tenants' association in this, and a neighbouring estate. They subsequently realised that their priorities lay in the improvement of:
inadequate housing
poor heating systems.
They established a regeneration partnership bid of £1.2 million Capital Challenge Funding for energy conservation improvements. Carrick Council put in £1 million from their own resources. External cladding, home repairs, central heating and double-glazing, provided the necessary insulation.
Results
This success led to the other community projects and activities to improve their quality of life. These included traffic calming, dog litterbins, tree and bulb planting, free security lighting for people living alone, and a skateboard park.
They also established healthy living courses, stopping smoking courses, family learning groups, welfare advice, and computer courses.
The outcomes cover a wide range of achievements.
a decrease in asthma and chest complaints
child accident rates down by 50%
Post-natal depression down by 80%
House burglaries down by 40%
car crime down by 60%
assault down by 60 %, and a reduced fear of crime
annual fuel savings of £180,000.
These results show the important links between housing and health, and the ability to thrive. Improving public health has delivered a wide range of additional benefits that, in turn, reduce the long-term costs to the health service, education, law and order, and the environment.
Contact details
Grenville Chappel
Resource Office
Grenville Road
Falmouth
Cornwall TR11 2PS
Tel: 01326 212 784
Fax: 01326 212 784
email: beaconp@hotmail.com
Other Finalists
Beddington Zero Energy Development (BedZED), Sutton, Surrey
BedZED is a mixed-use, mixed-tenure development that incorporates innovative approaches to energy conservation and environmental sustainability. The concept was driven by the desire to build a net zero fossil energy development and it is the UK's first large scale carbon neutral housing scheme.
BedZED is built on reclaimed land owned by the London Borough of Sutton. It provides 82 residential homes with a mixture of tenures. The project also includes buildings for commercial use, an exhibition centre and a children's nursery.
Results
The surrounding community was consulted during the development process and the new community has integrated well. The new residents are proud of where they live and consider that they are living somewhere special.
BedZED has become an excellent learning centre for sustainable development, creating considerable local, national and international media coverage and interest, and it has attracted 6,000 professional and educational visitors in the past year. The design is innovative and to a very high standard and is used to enhance the environmental dimensions, with strong emphasis on roof gardens, sunlight, solar energy, reduction of energy consumption and waste water recycling. A green transport plan promotes walking, cycling and use of public transport.
Contact details
Adrian Pancucci
Johnson Pancucci Ltd
28 Ticehurst Road
London
SE23 2TJ
Tel/Fax: 020 8699 2814
email: adrian@johnsonpancucci.com
Regenerating Northmoor, Manchester
Northmoor is within the Lonsight area, until recently one of the most deprived communities within Manchester. With initiatives from partnerships between Manchester City Council, Manchester Methodist Housing Association, the local community and other agencies, the area has undergone a positive change. The area can now be described as a 21st century neighbourhood, transformed from a once declining 19th century housing area.
Starting in the 1980s, the area suffered a failing housing market with associated rising crime and environmental blight. Out of 1,400 homes, 250 were empty by the 1990's. A Concept Plan drawn up addressed a range of issues including housing, environment, local businesses and community safety and development.
Results
Northmoor is now a more desirable area in which to live, as reflected in the occupation of the previously empty properties, and a dramatic increase in house values. A neighbourhood warden scheme has been introduced, and this has been successful in reducing the fear of crime.
Contact details
Jim McMillan
Manchester Methodist Housing Association
Hopeleigh
1-3 Fairhope Avenue
Salford M6 8AR
Tel: 0161 707 7147
Fax: 0161 707 7300
email: j.mcmillan@mmhg.org.uk
The Village, Caterham Surrey
This project is a redevelopment by Linden Homes of the 57-acre, former Ministry of Defence site known as Caterham Barracks. Previously home to Guards Regiments, who vacated the site in 1995, the barracks have been transformed into a new community called "The Village." Providing a mixture of uses - residential, commercial, retail, leisure and community - a sustainable urban village was formed that has re-integrated the site with its surrounding locality.
The total value of the project exceeds £60 million and includes business accommodation, a Business Enterprise Centre, retail and commercial space, 12 live and work units, health and leisure facilities, day nursery and child care, 348 housing units, a community farm, bus service and a nursing home.
Results
There is a wide range of community benefits and facilities provided by the developer. These include:
£30,000 for the restoration of the cricket square
£500,000 for the bus service
£200 bus vouchers for each household
£50,000 for off-site transport improvements
£250,000 for the Community Trust
£100,000 to the Local Education Authority
£950,000 for the retention and refurbishment of period buildings, intended for community use
Contact details
Ivan Ball
Project Director
Linden House Guard's Avenue
The Village
Caterham on the Hill
Surrey CR3 5ZB
Tel: 01883 334 400
Fax: 01883 331 169
email: ivanball@lindenhomes.co.uk
The following projects were commended by the judges panel for certain aspects of achievement
Workforce Southwark, London
Salterbeck Community Partnership, West Cumbria.
West Itchen Regeneration Programme, Southampton
The East London Centre &
Cemvo National Capacity Building Programme
The Eldonian Village, Liverpool
Castle Vale HAT, Birmingham.
Angell Town Estate, London
Stalybridge Canal Regeneration, Manchester
West Green Learning Neighbourhood, London
- Ouseburn Valley Regeneration Strategy, Newcastle
- Charter Quay, Kingston-upon-Thames
Last update: Friday, August 22, 2008