22 October 2011 - The Key to Rowner’s Regeneration

The start of October half term was made special in Rowner with an official celebration to welcome the new Rowner residents to their new homes in Alver Village.

The Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Chris Carter was special guest of honour and was presented with a ceremonial key to the new Rowner by Hazel Warwick, spokesperson for the Rowner Renewal Partnership and Deputy Chief Executive of First Wessex.

More than 33 residents have now moved into the Howe Road area of the regenerated Rowner with a further 46 expected to join them by the New Year. These include people who own their homes, those on shared ownership and residents who rent from First Wessex. It is truly a diverse neighbourhood and already there is a lively community spirit developing.

The Rowner Renewal Partnership (whose members include First Wessex, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and Taylor Wimpey) is very proud of its multi-million pound regeneration of Rowner and many VIPs from the Partnership celebrated with the residents.

Kevin Bourner from Homes and Communities Agency said:
“This is a very proud day for us all. Since 2007 when we began to consult residents we have always had our eyes set on when we officially welcome our residents to the new Rowner. It’s great to be able to present the Mayor of Gosport with the official Key to Rowner’s regeneration and welcome residents into their new homes. It has been a long four years but well worth the wait.

“New homes are developing apace within our first phase and there will be a more than 200 new and affordable homes here by next summer. Work on the second phase will start soon and this will include new apartments, a residential tower, a Tesco supermarket and smaller retail units which will bring much needed jobs as well as new homes to the area. I look forward to seeing the future regeneration progress on this important, exciting project.”

The Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Chris Carter said:
“I am honoured to receive The Key to Rowner’s Regeneration and welcome all our new residents to Alver Village. I am sure they will not only enjoy their new homes but will form a significant community and join with the true Rowner spirit and make us all proud to live and work within this area of Gosport.

“Rowner will thrive again and I know that my fellow councillors join me in congratulating the new residents and also The Rowner Renewal Partnership for their true spirit of partnership over the last four years. It has been a long time in getting to this point but look at the results. I look forward to the next six years when the project will complete and the area truly regenerated not for just this generation but for many future generations to come.”

Profile on our new Rowner residents:
Among the residents celebrating today were Mr and Mrs Coulson who live in a shared ownership home in Howe Road. Susan Coulson, 47 and Garry Coulson, 57 married in 2004 and moved to the Rowner estate in 2005 with Susan’s two sons, Reid, 18 and Woody, 14 buying a three bedroom maisonette flat. Following news about the Rowner Regeneration project in 2007 Susan and Gary knew that big changes would follow over the next three to four years.

Mrs Coulson said: “Living on the old estate we never had any trouble, despite what was often reported, however the houses did need replacing as many did look run-down from the outside.”

Wanting to stay in the Rowner area the Coulson family have now moved into a brand-new four bedroom semi-detached property worth £167,000 within Rowner’s new Alver Village.

Owning a 25% share of the property following a £41,750 payment put down from the money gained from their previous property plus their HomeLoss compensation, they now pay a monthly rent of £283.59 on the remaining 75% share and a service charge of £34.58 per month.

Susan continued: “Our new house is lovely and we are now looking forward to a new start.”

Mr and Mrs Farniss who live in a First Wessex affordable rental home. Tom Farniss, 65 and Heather Farniss, 64, moved to Rowner over ten years ago buying a 50% share of a two-bedroom house with First Wessex.

Once the regeneration project was launched they began to see small but significant changes take place – neighbours began to move away, houses were boarded up – however, they knew that change had to happen on the estate to make it better and improve living conditions.

Not wanting to remortgage and go back out to work at the age of 65, Tom and Heather sold their home to First Wessex and have now moved into a brand new affordable rented two bedroom house and couldn’t be happier.

Paying rent of £88 per week or £352 per month to First Wessex, Tom and Heather are really pleased with their new home and with the whole process of moving in – they’ve even managed to remain close by to one of their old neighbours!

Tom said: “The property is beautiful, we can’t fault a thing. We’re very much looking forward to enjoying our retirement here. The community spirit in Rowner is certainly alive and kicking!”

Ms Parker and Mr Halliday live in a privately owned house in Amelia Gardens. Charlotte Parker, 25 and Simon Halliday, 28, have just bought a three bedroom terraced house within the new Alver Village development in Rowner, Gosport. Paying £145,000 for the property, which included a £5,000 discount from Taylor Wimpey, Simon and Charlotte also put a deposit down on the house and now pay approximately £300 per month in mortgage payments.
Charlotte has lived in Gosport her whole life and is extremely positive about the continuing developments being made to the Rowner estate, putting it firmly back on the map as a sought after area.

Charlotte said: “Rowner has always received negative press, deservedly or not, and I am pleased that investment has been made to upgrade and improve the area for the wider community - to witness the daily changes is great to see. The house, which is great value for money, is perfect for Simon and I and we hope to stay here for many years to come.”

For Charlotte and her partner Simon, from Stubbington, this is the first step onto the property ladder for both and they are very much looking forward to a long and happy future on the new estate.