What's Happening In Your Area?

Why has my area been chosen for development?

Birkenhead has been chosen for intervention as it has been identified as an area suffering from severe social and economic problems causing housing market failure.

What is happening?

At present, there is only a concept plan in place for North Birkenhead and Bidston, meaning that large-scale clearance schemes are not going ahead at this time. However, significant clearance and rebuilding of new homes might be needed to ensure Birkenhead's future development into a more attractive place to live. Current developments in Birkenhead include various clearance schemes such as the "Ten Streets Area" and Station Road & Tyrer Street. There is also a group repair scheme underway in Norman Street triangle area and a new build development opposite St James Church in North Birkenhead.

How long will it take?

The Council agreed on plans for the regeneration for North Birkenhead and Bidston in the summer of 2005, for the improvement of Birkenhead's housing market over the next 10-15 years.

I live in an area that will be cleared and redeveloped - what will happen to me?

NewHeartlands will work hard to support you at every stage of the development process. You will have your own Home Ownership Advisory Officer from the Council's Homemover's Service who will be there to offer you advice and support every step of the way. A range of options and practical advice will be on offer to you, such as finding an alternative home, organising removals and financial advice. Your Home Ownership Advisory Officer will support you whether you are looking to buy or rent a property. They will arrange an appointment to visit you soon after a decision has been made that your property will be cleared. Many people are happy to find a new property for themselves, but we also have a number of renovated houses available nearby for you to move to if you wish, so you don't have to move far away. If you are affected and require more information, Home Ownership Advisory Officers will explain the housing options in more detail.

My house is in an area that is not scheduled for development - what will happen instead?

Improving housing will have a positive knock-on effect for the whole area - boosting the local economy by building confidence and attracting new people to the area. But we are not developing our plans in isolation - we are working together with a wide range of other organisations like the health service and the police. We will also be making sure we link with other regeneration programmes to improve job prospects, education and transport to other areas in North Birkenhead.
There is also an award-winning "Triangles Group Repair Scheme" currently underway. This scheme involves phased external improvements to the homes in the Norman Street triangle area, just off Laird Street in Birkenhead.

What other improvements will I see?

Alongside developing the housing in the area, investment will be made to maintain comfortable, safe and secure living conditions. These plans aim to help residents live through the changes housing The 'Living Through Change' programme for 2006-2008 will bring a number of additional benefits to the areas:

• Environmental Wardens and Neighbourhood Wardens will protect and improve the environment by keeping clearance areas clean and tidy. They will maintain the safety and security of empty properties in the HMRI areas and help reduce levels of anti-social behaviour.
  
  
• A Target Hardening Scheme will help deter the fear of crime and various security devices will be installed in properties. This will range from door locks and personal alarms to security lighting and CCTV.
  
  
• Financial support for energy efficiency improvements such as loft and cavity wall insulation and energy efficient heating systems, will be offered to all households.
  
  
• Derelict land in clearance areas will be landscaped to ensure the area is clean and maintained until new development work commences.
  
  
• Green spaces within neighbourhoods will be enhanced.
  
  
• A 'Handy Person Scheme' has been established to provide an affordable, reliable handyman service for small maintenance or repair jobs around the home.
  
  
• The 'Home Movers Scheme' will offer practical support to people moving due to clearance to ensure successful relocation and resettlement.
  

For more information contact:

Craig Charles
HMRI Policy Officer
0151 691 8376
craigcharles@wirral.gov.uk