New regeneration strategy for British housing estates announced

Developers, housing associations and councils in the UK can now bid for a share of £172 million of new Government investment to transform local neighbourhoods and deliver high quality housing.

A new national strategy aims to breathe life into rundown estates and alongside is additional funding of £32 million along with £140 million from the estate regeneration fund to build homes that people want to live in.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said the new strategy will also give advice to those applying for the funding to address common challenges that can stop projects, such as resident protection concerns or finding the necessary finance.

He believes that estate regeneration has the potential to deliver thousands of additional homes over the next 10 to 15 years and provide well-designed public spaces and a better quality of life in areas often characterised by poor quality housing.

‘Rundown estates offer huge potential to become new thriving communities providing homes, jobs and opportunities and places that work for everyone. That’s why we’re determined to ensure the success of regeneration projects through the national strategy to transform the lives of thousands of people by delivering better homes in better estates,’ added Javid.

Lord Heseltine, who chaired the independent advisory panel that developed the new national strategy along with Housing and Planning Minister Gavin Barwell, said the aim is to put residents at the heart of reshaping their estates, working with local authorities and developers.

‘Estate regeneration must be locally led and this strategy sets out blueprints for success, to help guide the progress and provide aspiration for delivering tangible plans,’ said Heseltine explained.

Barwell believes that the funding will help kick-start a renaissance for those estates that face tough challenges and have often been overlooked. ‘I’d urge communities keen to rejuvenate their places to join together, apply for funding and make use of the national strategy to drive forward their local led proposals. Building more homes is central to this Government’s vision of a country that works for everyone,’ he said.

The strategy will operate through a combination of practical advice and guidance to help local partners to improve and speed up the progress of estate regeneration. It includes a good practice guide for steering schemes through all the key stages including the range of finance options available.

The guide also gives alternative approaches to regeneration with advice on community led housing development, and case studies illustrating and highlighting examples of design and quality, along with community engagement.

Leader of Wandsworth Council in London, Ravi Govindia, believes that the funding and will be a major boost to getting schemes off the ground in authorities all over the country, not just in London and the South East.

‘It is clear that local authorities have a significant role to play to ensure that estate regeneration meets local housing need and delivering local growth and in engaging residents and communities in decisions about their area,’ said Govindia.

Chief executive of the Housing and Finance Institute, Natalie Elphicke, welcomed what she described as a ‘clear plan’ which should lead to the development of a strong and positive partnership with private sector investors.

‘Together with an effective deployment of public land and finance, high quality long term investment from the private sector can be attracted into estate regeneration,’ she said.

It is an important initiative providing essential help and support to everyone participating in estate regeneration schemes, according to Elaine Bailey, chief executive of Hyde Housing Association.

‘I know that housing associations everywhere are keen to press ahead with their schemes and will benefit from continuing to work with the government on this important agenda. The strategy will evolve and develop as new guidance and tools become available,’ she said.