What is housing market renewal?

Housing market renewal is a programme of government investment introduced in 2003 that aims to create a better future for people living in areas where house prices are below the regional average and where people are moving away.  North Staffordshire is one of nine areas of England chosen to receive funding.  It is aimed at tackling the long-term causes of low demand for housing by improving the condition of properties, offering a better choice of housing, improving the environment and tackling crime and anti-social behaviour.  The programme also links to strategies improve schools and, most importantly, to schemes which attract new jobs, skills and investment.

Why do we need it?

North Staffordshire is facing difficult times.  Many local people are living in areas that are becoming unpopular, with homes standing empty and vandalised.  Some homes – including privately owned houses – are not up to modern standards, more and more are being abandoned, house prices are below average and people are moving away from the area. The reality is that some areas have become unpopular because they do not provide a decent choice of housing, because nearby industry has closed down and because services such as shops or health facilities or bus services are not as good as elsewhere.

How can you make things better?

Our aim is to create communities where people want to live, not leave – and we have millions of pounds to spend.  We want to offer a wide choice of good quality homes, to rent or buy, in areas that are safe and pleasant places to live.  This will help to improve the general quality of life in North Staffordshire – boosting confidence and attracting new people to the area. At the same time we will be working with other regeneration programmes to improve job opportunities, transport, parks and green spaces, schools and health facilities.

Which areas will be affected?

Money will be invested in many parts of Stoke-on-Trent, Newcastle-under-Lyme, and Biddulph. The areas to be affected are the City Council, Middleport, Burslem Park, Normacot, Birches Head, Knutton and Cross Heath, Meir, Coalville, Chesterton, Newcastle town centre and Galleys Bank.

Will there be demolition?

The scale of the problems we face means that big change is needed if things are to get better.  In some areas, that may mean demolition – to make way for new, better quality homes - that will meet the needs of local people, and to help us create communities that are better suited to local needs.

How will I know if I will be affected?

All our plans are drawn up with people in the City Centre, Middleport, Meir and Knutton and Cross Heath.  Consultation has also been undertaken, and continues, with people in most of the other areas affected by the programme.  If your house or street is affected by specific proposals RENEW North Staffordshire will write to you and visit you.  Full information and support will be given to anyone who will be directly affected by our plans, whether now or at a later date.

What support will I get if my house is going to be demolished?

We will work hard to support you at every step of the way.  A range of options will be offered including compensation, loans, grants and practical help to move.  We will make 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 RENEW North Staffordshire will explain the options in detail. Independent advice is also available from Residents’ Friends who work for the Citizens’ Advice Bureau.

Will local people have a say in what’s going to happen?

Absolutely.  Nothing will be decided without the full involvement of local people, and we will be encouraging them to give us their views at every stage of the process.  Our plans have been developed by leading experts, but we want to make sure they fully reflect local people’s hopes for the future.

How much money will be spent?

RENEW North Staffordshire plans to invest £2.3 billion over 20 years. We have spent the £6.6 million granted by the Government to start the programme and develop our plans. We received a further £67 million for 2004-06, and most recently a further £114 million in early 2008.

Housing alone won’t solve our problems – what about things like crime and transport?

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, transport and parks.

My home isn’t included in the RENEW North Staffordshire area, how will I benefit?

Areas of empty and poor condition housing affect the whole of North Staffordshire. They lead to high crime levels which diverts the police away from other duties and they create a poor image for the whole region. There is also a danger of the problem spreading as people move away from neighbouring areas too. If these areas can be made into thriving communities again it will benefit the whole of North Staffordshire.

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