A total of £12 million was set aside to be spent in the area over six years. So far, major achievements have included the renovation of homes for 75 local families, radical improvements to the appearance of streets, a face lift for Warrior Square Station, renovation of affordable homes and traffic calming schemes to improve pedestrian safety.
The work is overseen by the Renewal Board, set up in 1998, which is made up of local residents and local Councillors and whose vision is to create a community where people choose to live. Local residents have played an important part in the regeneration process and their commitment and the Council's commitment is clearly paying off where there is a growing sense of community and physical improvements to the area.
In the remaining 30 months of the project there are a number of goals to reach. There is a need for open space for recreation, a play area for children and a community centre. Plans for the new community centre are going ahead, the former renewal area offices in Clifton road will be converted and the renewal area team have now moved and are based at 2 Stainsby Street.
Other projects will include renovating a further 200 homes, another 19 affordable homes and more street improvements. The majority of homes renovated so far have been owner-occupied. The Council will be encouraging landlords to improve their properties and may use legal powers to achieve this where necessary. However, grants will be available to help property owners.
Councillor Trevor Webb, Cabinet Member responsible for Quality of Life and Renewal Board member, said:
"So much work has gone into revitalising this area and the input of local residents into this project has been really important. "Our targets for the next thirty months are high, and we will be encouraging landlords to improve the homes of tenants with the help of grants. "This project has really made a difference in the area and I know that the good work that has been carried out so far will continue."
A sunny September Saturday provided not just an open afternoon of entertainment for Southwater Area residents young and old, but a chance to review progress and prospects midway through the Renewal project.
As a team rigged up bunting and prepared the numerous displays, we reflected that none of us know one another, or perhaps anyone locally, just two or three years ago. We now have the embryo of a community where we know who and where to contact when local issues arise and we can work, whinge and worry together!
The Open Day activities centred on the former Clifton pub which had just closed as the Renewal Office ready for the transformation into a 'heart' for the area - its community centre. We hope it will become a special part of the lives of our senior residents, so many of whom have seen their neighbourhood growing less like 'home' through their lifetime. Other plans include a range of computer courses - top of the request list in a survey of residents and special interest clubs.
One such club will certainly be a Gardening Club, for even in an area predominately of flats, the response to the area's first Southwater in Bloom competition was cheering in it results and in its promise of even better things next year. We were not looking for perfection so much as caring and making the best of a site and every cheery geranium or lanky sunflower made a welcome contribution. The Renewal Team has moved into Stainsby Street, whose residents kindly 'lent' their street to children for the afternoon! The youngsters' engrossment in simple outdoor activities highlight the need for a dedicated play space, when the area can secure one.
The historical evolution of the area on display inspired the concept of trying to create, as far as resources allow, a townscape closer to the original Victorian and Edwardian streets we have inherited for the benefit of both local residents and passers-by.
Although much has been achieved in a short time, thanks to special funding and the hard work of the project team, community support workers and Councillors, many challenges remain. With just over two years of the project and very little funding left, residents will soon have to stand on their own feet to continue tackling the area's problems. Let's have lots more people sharing in working for a safer, cleaner and more neighbourly area - and putting up the bunting and displays for a bigger, more celebratory Open Day next time!
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This page last updated: 14/04/2002