North Prospect
£168 million transformation of North Prospect.
Plymouth Community Homes is working with Plymouth City Council to deliver an exciting regeneration programme within North Prospect.
Work is progressing well on the 1st phase of the regeneration
This project will see more than 1,200 new homes being built, both for rent and newbuild HomeBuy by Plymouth Community Homes and private sale, as well as a central community hub for the people of North Prospect.
The ten year scheme is now well underway and the first phase of building works will be completed by Barratt Homes. More than 230 new homes will be built in the first phase, with Plymouth Community Homes getting its first new homes to rent in March 2012.
As well as building the new homes, some areas of the estate will be repaired and refurbished, bringing them up to the Plymouth Community Homes Standard. To find out more about the North Prospect refurbishment programme, please click here.
Why is North Prospect being regenerated?
Specialist surveys have been completed and results show serious structural problems with the majority of the homes across North Prospect. Weak mortar is the main problem with these properties, which has led to failing wall ties and serious damp problems.
Over time, significant sums of money has been invested trying to correct these problems but we now know that repairing a home only offers a temporary solution. Because things were getting worse and doing nothing was no longer an option, Plymouth Community Homes made the decision to start again and build new homes. that meet high modern standards.
What is happening in your area?
One of the show homes on the 1st phase of the regeneration
Plymouth Community Homes have surveyed more than 400 homes in North Prospect, 90% of which came back with signs of major structural issues. This has led us to the split the area into two sections – rebuild and refurbishment. Approximately 800 homes will be demolished, with around 1,200 new homes going up in their place and a total of 300 Plymouth Community Homes properties will be refurbished. Over 300 owner occupiers will have the option of joining in on the refurbishment scheme.
If your home is not being demolished what can you expect?
It’s going to be disruptive for a while. A home may need major refurbishment and residents might have to move out while we do that. We’ll help with this, and there will be payments to fund moving costs. If there’s only a small amount of refurbishment to be done on a home it should mean only a few weeks of disruption and the residents won’t need to move out.
Your choices!
For tenants there will be a range of choices. No-one will be homeless as a result of the regeneration, and we will do everything we can to meet each family’s needs. We will try to relocate people close to North Prospect if that’s what they’d like, subject to availability and if tenants want to move to another part of Plymouth we’ll help with that too. If tenants have to move, payments may be available to cover moving costs.
What does the regeneration mean for people who own their own homes?
Following the planned surveys some homes may still have to be demolished even though they are privately owned. We understand what a huge impact this will have on people’s lives and will do our absolute best to offer home owners a range of options. There will be lots of different circumstances – some people may like the opportunity to buy into one of the new build houses with our help, some may like the opportunity to move away from the estate, some may like to move to a smaller property. The most important thing for us to do is find out what suits each individual family and do our very best to reach a good solution.
If you own your home and it’s not being demolished it may be disruptive for a while. There’ll be lots of work going on across the estate for a long time, but when that’s over the estate will be transformed for the better. We’re working towards being able to offer home owners the chance to buy into the refurbishment programmes happening in tenants homes. This could mean you could choose to have some work done to your own house at a reduced cost.
Contact us
If you would like to talk to the regeneration team, you can call our free phone on 08000 327 100 for more information or email us on NPR@plymouthcommunityhomes.co.uk.
We’ll keep issuing regular leaflets direct to people’s homes, and we’ll be staying in touch with local agencies that can offer support.
Clive Turner with residents
