24 Jun 2010

For immediate release

Awards success for Wirral regeneration programme

A housing-based regeneration programme in Wirral has been shortlisted for one of the most prestigious awards in the country.

Rock Ferry and Tranmere have been transformed in recent years as a result of ongoing Housing Market Renewal work. 1,500 homes have been improved, 900 new homes have been built, new retail units have been developed and major environmental and social projects to improve quality of life have been implemented. As a result, the whole area is now enjoying a new sense of self-belief and confidence in the future, with increased investment from the private sector and new people now moving into the neighbourhood.

The work in the area has now been shortlisted for the Leadership of Place category in the Government-supported Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Awards. The Awards celebrate work that is going on around the country and Wirral's entry will be up against other projects in London, the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East. The winners will be announced at the event to be held in London on September 23.

The programme in Rock Ferry and Tranmere has also included the introduction of Neighbourhood Wardens, innovative art projects, a dedicated anti-social behaviour officer and the use of facilities such as a Community House. Extensive consultation with local people means they community has been on board from the earliest days of the project, influencing the future of the area, the design of the new homes, and the way the new neighbourhoods develop. Residents were not only invited to become involved in the regeneration, but were also given specialist training via the Compass Academy, equipping them with the skills and knowledge to lead and shape their own communities long into the future.

Chris Bowen, Wirral's Housing Market Renewal Manager, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for this major award - it is a recognition from an important Government body like the HCA that we are doing something right in Wirral. The programme here has been about much more than housing - it has been about building a vibrant, sustainable community for the future. We could not have done that without the support of our partners in the public and private sector, and most importantly without the support and vital input of local people.

"With continued investment, we hope to continue this innovative programme into other areas of Wirral."

Cllr Chris Blakeley, Cabinet Member for Housing and Community Safety said: "This is fantastic news for Wirral, and an acknowledgement of the hard work and investment that has already taken place. We hope it will continue long into the future, and we will start to see the same transformation in other areas."

Rachel Leckey, who lives in a new bungalow on the scheme, adds: "When I think of the way it was before the changes with poor quality housing in an unsafe environment, the contrast is fantastic. The community that has stayed here is now proud of what we have achieved and are determined to ensure the neighbourhood continues to improve as more new residents join us."

The £100m scheme has now moved into Birkenhead and Wallasey, where work has already begun tackling some of the existing problems in those neighbourhoods.

Wirral's Housing Market Renewal programme is carried out in partnership with Wirral Council, NewHeartlands, the Merseyside HMR pathfinder, and other private and public sector partners.

Notes to Editors

• NewHeartlands is one of ten HMR pathfinders in the country. It is tasked with regenerating the inner Merseyside area by tackling low-demand and poor-quality housing markets, usually in some of the UK's most deprived areas. We work closely with Liverpool, Sefton and Wirral Councils and other partners including the Home and Communities Agency, private developers, RSLs and residents.

• The programme started in 2003 and is expected to run for 10-15 years. The homebuilding plans are only one aspect of the programme which also includes job creation, social regeneration and community building, tackling crime and anti-social behaviour and boosting prosperity.

For more information contact: Debbie Johnson

NewHeartlands

Tel: 07894 398800

debbiemjohnson@hotmail.com