| THORNHILL
RESIDENTS APPROVE CRUCIAL REGENERATION IMPROVEMENT PLANS
The
Thornhill Plus You Board has just approved a 3.5 million
pound project with a focus of regeneration and community
development. ‘External Improvements to Walk-up Blocks'
is a project funded by Thornhill Plus You, Southampton
's New Deal for Communities programme.
The
project, which is tasked with making improvements to
the neighbourhood and its eighty eight walk-up blocks,
will outline issues raised by residents, such as defining
space around walk-up blocks, improving the lack of parking,
adding more lighting and safe play spaces and other
environmental enhancements.
A
successful pilot project of two walk-up blocks in Jerome
Court and Byron Road Thornhill, saw residents joining
consultation sessions to identify the three major issues
that concerned them. The top three concerns related
to parking, play space and the general appearance of
the area. With these three concerns in mind, Fabrik
Landscape Architects came up with proposals to address
these issues. These issues were presented to the community
for additional comment and were further refined, before
planning permission was sought to begin the improvements.
In
conjunction with Southampton City Council and contractors
Groundwork Solent, work to two walk-up blocks began
at the beginning of March 2007. Residents were informed
about the improvements through community involvement
projects such as consultation sessions and site meetings.
Communication
was also paramount throughout the pilot, with residents
receiving regular update leaflets. Bold signage boards
were fitted outside each block with contact details;
display boards were erected inside each block and e-forms
were created on the Thornhill community website to encourage
feedback (www.thornhillplusyou.co.uk/myenvironment/getinvolved.asp).
The
improvements to the two pilot walk-up blocks included:
- New
pavements - laid to improve access to the walk-up
blocks.
- Fences
- installed to define public space around the blocks.
- Trees
and shrubs - planted to improve the aesthetics of
the area.
- Walk-ways
- laid with new concrete flooring and better water
drainage systems.
- Turf
- re-laid to create more safe and open play spaces.
- Bollards
– fitted to protect the green areas.
- Lighting
– installed to create a safer environment.
- Parking
bays – developed to ensure residents can park closer
to their home.
Dave
Kellett, Managing Director of Thornhill Plus You commented:
“The ‘External Improvements to Walk-up Blocks' project
has a great focus on regeneration and community development.
To ensure that residents are proud to say where they
live, community involvement with this project is paramount.
With the pilot project, residents came forward and expressed
their concerns and suggested ideas. With a successful
pilot complete, we can now move forward and improve
the remaining 86 walk-up blocks in Thornhill.”
The
‘External Improvements to Walk-up Blocks' project is
due to begin at the beginning of May 2007 and completion
is scheduled for March 2009. For more information about
the project please contact Emma Blunt on 023 8091 5404
or email eblunt@thornhillplusyou.co.uk
.
-
ENDS -
For
more information on this news release please contact:
Lucy
Huitson, Communications Assistant, Thornhill Plus You,
023 8091 5405 or email lhuitson@thornhilplusyou.co.uk
Notes
to Editors:
- Thornhill
Plus You have over one hundred before and after images
taken of the External Improvements Pilot Project which
are available on request.
- Groundwork Solent , the contractors
hired to carry out the improvements, supports communities
in need, working with partners to help improve the
quality of people's lives, their prospects and potential
and the places where they live, work and play.
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