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Tenants say yes to regeneration plans

A majority of council tenants consulted about the future of their homes have supported ambitious regeneration plans.

Almost 590 tenants who could be affected by plans to demolish their homes responded to the consultation by Nottingham City Homes, 62% out of 951 residents with 57% supportive of plans for the biggest council house programme in 30 years. The five year plan could see hundreds of new energy efficient family homes built all over Nottingham, depending on Government decisions in November about how council housing is paid for.

Councillor Alex Ball, Executive Assistant for Housing and Regeneration, said:

The Government gave us very little time to consult with our tenants, before we have to submit a list of properties we propose to demolish in October. Despite that, we promised to listen to tenants and leaseholders and we have. Residents have been able to have their say at open meetings and during personal visits by Nottingham City Homes staff. A clear majority of tenants who responded to our consultation understand how difficult and expensive it would be to modernise their properties. Tenants told us about the high cost of running their homes, for example where the type of construction makes it much more expensive to keep warm.

Potential sites for new homes are now being identified by Nottingham City Homes as well as looking at what should be built on the demolished sites. Following the consultation exercise, Briar and Willowbrook Courts in the Meadows will not now be demolished as part of this programme.

Councillor Ball added:

This is about making the right decisions to make sure we have the right mix of sustainable, appropriately-sized homes in the right places. We must make sure we support people affected by our proposals. This would be a five year programme, so there would be plenty of time to support all those affected by our plans while also developing an ambitious regeneration programme that meets the needs of both existing and future tenants. We will work very closely with tenants, leaseholders, residents and other partners to develop schemes to improve communities. The Nottingham City Council Executive Board will review options on 20 September, before a submission to the Department for Communities and Local Government in early October.

(Friday 15th September 2011 09:00:00 GMT)

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