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Why does North
Staffordshire need regeneration?
The decline of traditional
industries and the lack of significant regeneration activity
between 1968 and 1995 means North Staffordshire now faces a
significant challenge to become competitive.
North Staffordshire has been
losing jobs, population, investment, confidence and capability.
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Jobs in
the area’s principal industries – pottery, coal, steel and tyres
– fell by 82% in between 1966 and 2003 with more reported losses
since
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Stoke
–on-Trent is losing some 1,200 people a year who are not
replaced by new residents. The inner core of Stoke-on-Trent has
seen a reduction of over 50% of the population in the fifty
years to 2001
Ø
The
number of empty properties in the city centre has increased from
7.7% in 2001 to 9.4% in 2005. We estimate that if no action were
taken, one in 10 properties across North Staffordshire would be
empty by 2021.
Ø
House
prices in North Staffordshire will be equivalent to 63.9% for
the regional average in 2007/08, declining further to 57.7% of
the regional average by 2020/21
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A
study found that neighbourhood satisfaction was at 76%
in parts of North Staffordshire that fall within the area RENEW
are looking at (71% in the central parts of Stoke-on-Trent) compared to 83%
in other areas of North Staffordshire.
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Only 14%
of residents in the areas that RENEW is working in strongly
agree that their neighbourhood is good for families compared
to 28% in a non-RENEW areas.
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In the
areas that RENEW is working in
31% of residents
strongly agree or agree that their neighbourhood has a bad
reputation, compared with only 11% in a non-RENEW areas.
Who is RENEW North
Staffordshire and what are they planning to do?
Funded by the Department of
Communities and Local Government, RENEW North Staffordshire is a
programme to improve the long-term future of Stoke-on-Trent,
Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire Moorlands and the surrounding area. RENEW North
Staffordshire plans to invest £2.3 billion over the next 15
years to transform the local housing market and make North
Staffordshire a place where people want to live, work and
enjoy.
To see what's happening where you live click
Your area
RENEW has a number of aims,
these are;
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To balance the supply and
demand for housing
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To provide a quality housing
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To retain and attract
population
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To transform the North
Staffordshire landscape and environment
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To promote communities with
shared values, shared challenges and equal opportunities
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To create neighbourhoods
where communities can live together, minimising
environmental impacts
How
much is being spent in North Staffordshire and where does the
money come from?
In March 2004 RENEW North
Staffordshire submitted its Prospectus
to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister
outlining a radical programme to transform housing conditions
across North Staffordshire. As a result of this bid RENEW North
Staffordshire was granted £30 million for 2004 - 06, with an
additional £37.5 million from other sources.
RENEW North Staffordshire
submitted a further two-year bid called the
Scheme Update in November
2005 for 2006-08 funding. The Scheme Update reviewed all work done
since RENEW's creation in 2003. It also gave
detailed evidence to demonstrate North Staffordshire's weak housing market.
In March 2006 RENEW North Staffordshire welcomed the
Government's announcement of £67.5 million funding for 2006-08.
RENEW North Staffordshire is
currently preparing a third bid for funding, the results of
which will be known in spring 2008.
The money will be spent
improving housing conditions, building new housing and making
neighbourhoods cleaner, greener and safer.
This work has already begun with
developments such a
City
Waterside trailblazing regeneration, giving people real
confidence for the future of the area.
RENEW North
Staffordshire is one of nine Pathfinder schemes in England. To
read about the other Pathfinder schemes
click here
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