FAQs
The Partnership are frequently asked the same questions and here we provide an update on the progress of the Project and provide our answers to your queries. In addition you can download our most recently printed FAQs as these contain some more answered questions.
Where can I find more details about shared ownership properties?
Residents can look up availability of shared ownership properties on www.homesinhants.co.uk
How long will The Rowner Renewal Project take?
We estimate that, subject to the consultation process and planning application being completed by the end of 2008, building work will start in the spring of 2009. The building project should take about seven years with the Project being completed in 2016.
How many properties will be demolished and when?
Around 500 homes will be demolished and replaced with about 700 new homes. The final scheme will be prepared following the community consultation process. The acquisition of the existing properties has already started. We anticipate building sufficient new units to rehouse those wishing to remain in Rowner by the end of 2009. The construction of the new homes will be in phases and phased demolition will take place once appropriate rehousing has been completed.
Why could you not just refurbish the existing homes?
This is a regeneration scheme. The aim of the project is to provide a long term solution to the recognized long standing physical, environmental and social problems of the Precinct and surrounding areas. It is to provide the kind of homes and environment that people expect in the 21st century. The Partnership’s mission is to improve, to add value and to increase pride in Rowner. To do this we have to address the core problems – the quality of the buildings, design of the open space and retail/recreational facilities. Refurbishment is not an option.
What will the new homes be like?
Designed by architects John Thompson & Partners. There will be a mix of houses and apartments, ranging in size from one to four bedrooms, and a mix of tenures - there will be homes to buy outright on the open market, shared ownership homes and affordable homes for rent.
All the homes will be built to the latest modern design and environmental standards.
At least 30% of the homes will be allocated for affordable housing.
What do you mean by redesigning open spaces?
The Rowner estate was originally built in 1960s by the MOD. The bunds that you see around the estate (the raised areas of grassed land) do not make for good visibility. We intend to create better use private and public space and improve the security of the area by design. Rowner will be a safer, more attractive environment with improved transport and better access to new jobs.
Why are you only redeveloping the south side of the estate and not the north?
This is primarily due to the availability of funding and complexity of the project. We decided to concentrate our efforts on the area most needed for regeneration i.e. the Village.
By the end of this project in 2016 the housing for the whole estate will have increased in value and the Partnership hopes that further opportunities for regeneration will become available. The Partnership will make a significant difference to the community of Gosport and South Hampshire not just in providing the homes and facilities but in empowering local residents to develop longer term community structures and services.
How much will the new homes cost?
We estimate that they will range in price from £90,000-£180,000 at today’s prices. The actual prices at which homes are sold during the lifetime of the project will reflect the market value at the time of sale.
Will there be homes specifically designated for older people and disabled people?
Identifying individual needs is a key part of the Resident Information Collection process that Portsmouth Housing Association is undertaking at the moment.
This will enable the new homes being built to include ones with special design features or adaptations where required. The cost of moving or re-providing adaptations is covered by the disturbance payment.
Will there be a new doctor’s surgery and other similar facilities?
The views of local people about existing and possible future services will be considered during the community consultation process. Where possible these will be included in the final master plan, although the provision of new services will require the financial support of other agencies in addition to the funding available for the redevelopment project.
What will be the availability of mortgages?
Many people have had difficulties getting mortgages on the existing homes. The new homes being built will be of high quality and eligible for mortgages from all the main banks and building societies, subject to the applicant’s personal circumstances.
How will the estate be managed during the acquisition and demolition process?
The privately owned homes and areas of the estate are the responsibility of the existing owners and their agents until purchased by Portsmouth Housing Association on behalf of the Partnership. However PHA will seek to work closely with existing residents, owners and agents to ensure that the properties and communal areas are kept secure, clean and in reasonable condition as the purchase and demolition programme proceeds.
What will happen to the residents in the existing homes?
Any redevelopment will require the re-housing of existing residents. Identification of residents’ circumstances, needs and aspirations is necessary at the earliest opportunity to establish the property types and tenures needed for those wishing to stay on the estate, and the requirement for re-housing elsewhere. We are calling this the Resident Information Collection process, which will commence at the launch of the project and is planned to take four weeks to complete the majority of interviews. This includes commercial units, garages, parking spaces, stores and gardens contained in the premises or legal interests affected. Community/ public premises affected are not covered by this process
Residents directly affected have received a letter from us inviting them to a one to one meeting with us to establish their requirements. The Partnership’s aim is that, subject to the Gosport Common Housing Register Policy, those who want to stay on the estate are able to do so; those who do not will be offered re-housing elsewhere in the borough and owner occupiers can transfer their equity to a new home on the estate if they wish.
Are you buying them out then?
There are a mix of property owners and residents in the planned redevelopment area. Residents include about 125 PHA tenants, 25 PHA shared owners and around 350 owner/occupiers or investors, some of whom have rented out their homes. There are some shops.
Portsmouth Housing Association will carry out the purchase of property and the re-housing of residents, except where Gosport Borough Council acquires through compulsory purchase.
Property owners will be paid the current open market value for their property at the time of purchase, less any arrears of service charges for leasehold properties at the time of purchase. The condition of the property and any investment by the owner or occupier is reflected in the open market value and there are no other payments available, except as under the entitlement to compensation under the Land Compensation Act, as set out below. The compensation is the same whether the acquisition of the property is carried out by agreement or compulsory purchase.
What are the options for moving?
The leaflet Having to move? outlines the opportunities for residents and owners. Discussions with each individual owner or occupier to identify the best outcome will occur after the final master plan has been agreed.
Will shared ownership housing be available as part of the redevelopment plans?
Homes will be built for sale, shared ownership and rent. PHA will assist existing residents to choose the option that best suits their aspirations and financial circumstances. Shared ownership of a new home may be the most practical solution for some owner occupiers to transfer their equity into a higher value home.
What will happen to existing PHA tenants?
All existing tenants will be able to stay with PHA unless they wish to move off the estate, in which case the availability of homes on offer and by which social landlord will depend on the area and type of home needed.
What are the arrangements for residents who may need to be temporarily rehoused during the process?
The intention is to try to minimise residents’ inconvenience by managing the building programme so that people can move directly into an existing home or one of the new homes being built.
Where that isn’t possible, we will work closely with all individuals to find suitable temporary accommodation, assist with moving and pay all reasonable costs.
There are vulnerable and elderly people living in the estate.
The Resident Information Collection process will enable PHA to identify people who are vulnerable or have special needs. PHA will work closely with agencies, community and support groups to ensure those individuals’ needs are recognized and they receive support throughout the process.
What will happen if someone doesn’t respond to attempts to contact them, or refuses to co-operate or move?
The project aims to benefit the community as a whole in the long term. Every attempt will be made to communicate with and seek a voluntarily agreed outcome for every individual affected. Where this is not possible Gosport Borough Council will use compulsory purchase powers to ensure that the project is able to proceed.
What compensation will be available?
There are two kinds of compensation – home loss and disturbance. These are outlined in the leaflet Having to Move? Note that where there is a landlord and a tenant, both could depending on their specific circumstance, make separate claims for compensation. Anyone wishing to claim of compensation is advised to seek independent advice.
Home Loss
Is a sum to reflect and recognise the distress and discomfort of being compelled to move out of the home?
To be eligible for a home loss payment, the occupier must:
- be a freeholder, leaseholder, secure or assured tenant. Tenants at will, licensees and tenants holding over are entitled to a limited range of compensation for e.g. removals costs. People with no formal contract of occupation, trespassers or squatters have no rights to compensation.
- have lived in the dwelling as their only or main residence, for not less than one year before the date of acquisition.
The amount of compensation is defined by legislation and is currently 10% of the market value of the property subject to a minimum of £4,700 and a maximum of £44,000.
Disturbance
Compensates the occupier for the costs and losses incurred as a result of being disturbed from the occupation of the property. The occupier must show that these are reasonable and keep all relevant documentary evidence such as receipts, invoices and fee quotes.
It is the intention of the Partnership to ensure that nobody is at a financial disadvantage as a result of the redevelopment. The principle of equivalence will apply to all compensation claims to ensure appropriate settlements are made. A claim for compensation must be made within six years of moving out.
Commercial premises
Owners and occupiers of shops and other premises are entitled to similar types of compensation, with eligibility criteria and amounts also laid down by statute.
What is compulsory purchase?
Compulsory purchase powers are provided to enable acquiring authorities to compulsorily purchase land to carry out a function which Parliament has decided is in the public interest. Gosport Borough Council will be using these powers for the Rowner project.
The procedures and compensation terms are laid down by the government and detailed guidance for owners is available from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG).
Can properties be sold prior to the Compulsory Purchase Order (CPO) is made?
Yes. The RRP hopes to reach agreement with the majority of owners without the need for a CPO. The compensation terms are the same.
How does the CPO process work?
The CPO process is made up of a number of stages. The whole process is likely to take 12 – 18 months, depending on the number and type of objections and whether there needs to be an inquiry or reference to the Lands tribunal.
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