15 February 2008 - Rowner’s Consultation Events

The Rowner Renewal Partnership is hoping to build more houses at the south end of the development following feedback from residents on the proposed plans They now invite everyone to come along to a Community Forum to see the updated Rowner Vision on Thursday 21 February at Siskin Junior School starting at 6pm All are welcome and children of those parents attending will be entertained for the planned two hour session.

The Vision which was presented to the community and residents in December has been very well received People liked the greenery and the feeling of space and thought that the delivery of the Vision would regenerate the area to provide a sustainable, attractive environment for many future generations.

Last year, over 200 local residents, stakeholders and community groups participated in the various events, workshops and interviews organised by John Thompson & Partners (the Project architects) during October and November Since December they have continued to feed back their comments to the Partnership who have listened and worked hard to revise the Vision to accommodate their requests

Hazel Warwick, Group Regeneration and Development Director for Portsmouth Housing Association says:

“Following consultation, many residents have told the Partnership about their aspirations for community life as well as commenting on the design of the buildings, streets and open spaces shown within the Vision They told us what was good about the existing community, what could be improved as well as how we can all help to manage the change during the regeneration process.

“We discovered that the blocks of high rise flats proposed at the south end of the development raised concerns with many residents We have subsequently worked to minimise and relocate these flats and to include more houses in the southern area I think everyone will be very happy with the changes we have made.

“The MasterPlan was due to go forward to planning in the Spring, however in the light of these changes, the Partnership has agreed to delay the application until the Summer This will then ensure that everyone will have the opportunity of seeing the final design before it is submitted On behalf of the Partnership I would like to thank everyone for their support and continued participation in the Rowner Renewal Project.”

The Partnership anticipates to have more detailed architectural plans for the first housing phase available immediately following the application.

For further information about this project visit www.rownerrenewal.com