Stanfords GIS sponsored for the first time the Peaceful and Better Neighbourhood Award, which this year went to an estate that has undergone substantial regeneration with the provision of 498 affordable homes and community facilities.
The Wychall Farm estate in Birmingham won the award for “meeting the needs of the existing community as well as providing a greater balance of tenures. Historically the area suffered defected homes, problems of social deprivation, high unemployment, and poor infrastructure with a long-standing reputation of a ‘no go area’.”
“Working directly with the existing community, building bridges and nurturing relationships, a project team consisting of residents and key partners began to steer and shape the regeneration of the homes and the community.
Nearly four years on, Wychall Farm demonstrates a ‘more than bricks and mortar’ approach by supporting a range of options to implement social and economic programmes, ensuring residents have a “cleaner, safer, and greener environment in which to live”.
The ceremony on 18 September was hosted by TV presenter Lorraine Kelly at the National Housing Federation annual conference in Birmingham. Our finance director, Chris Powell, attended the ceremony to present the Stanfords award.
Runner-up for the award was the Metropolitan Housing Trust - The Canalside regeneration - a project formed from two of Hackney’s most challenging estates - delivered a £65 million change programme.
The second runner-up was Testway Housing Limited whose Turnaround Project is “setting a new direction for a community with the worst social problems in the area.”
Find out more about Stanfords GIS
For more information on the awards, visit www.neighbourhoodawards.org.uk
Date: 3 October 2008
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