11 October 2007 - Public Consultation Begins on the Rowner Renewal Project

The Rowner Renewal Partnership - English Partnerships, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth Housing Association (PHA) and Taylor Wimpey - today launched the important public consultation phase of its proposed £140 million redevelopment and regeneration of the centre of Rowner, Gosport.

The initial funding package secured for the Project is in excess of £33 million. English Partnerships is investing £7.5 million; Gosport Borough Council is contributing land worth in excess of £2 million; Hampshire County Council is investing £1.5 million; Portsmouth Housing Association is investing £6 million and is also contributing land. The developer Taylor Wimpey is match funding this and is investing in excess of £16 million.

Each of the partners has the financial support, the planning, development and community consultation expertise to make this important regeneration project a success – one to benefit the residents and community of Rowner now and one that is sustainable for future generations.

Representatives from every section of the community, together with key stakeholders, attended the launch and public exhibition at the Rowner Youth Centre in Nimrod Drive. Residents within Rowner had earlier received a letter from the Partnership explaining the proposals, the timetable for the project and explaining how they can get involved in the consultation phase.

John Thompson & Partners, the appointed architects will begin engaging with residents and other community groups. A series of public events has been organised throughout October and November and will culminate in a report back to the community at the beginning of December. At these events the residents of Rowner will have the fullest of opportunities to meet with all concerned to shape the future of their estate. Following this, a Master Design Plan for the estate will be produced and put forward for planning consideration in the first half of 2008.

Senior representatives from the five member partners were in attendance to meet residents, stakeholders and councillors. An open question and answer session was held.

The Mayor of Gosport, Cllr Keith Gill who hosted the event said:

“I am very honoured to be Mayor at this time and be part of this important launch to the community of Rowner. The redevelopment of the Rowner Village has long been a significant priority for the Council. I was personally delighted that the Project received the full backing of the Council last week and we will all work closely with our residents to ensure that a cohesive and sustainable community is quickly established, one that builds on the successes of the existing community here in Rowner.”

John Butler, Project Director on behalf of the Partnership explained:

“This is a wonderful moment for us all and the launch culminates over two years’ hard work by the Partnership to get to this point. The regeneration of Rowner has long been talked about but today is the start of an opportunity for real change, for committed action and for the chance to improve the environment and the infrastructure at the heart of Rowner. We look forward to engaging with the community and want everyone to have their say on the future plans for Rowner.”

David Ashworth, Area Director of English Partnerships, the national regeneration agency, said:

“English Partnerships is delighted to be able to play a significant role in this project and to help revitalise the Rowner estate. This is a true partnership between public and private sector finance andworking in partnership, we know that the Project Team can make this important regeneration project a reality.

“At English Partnerships we will not only be providing the important funding for the Project but we will support the community engagement process to ensure the needs and aspirations of local people are met. For any development project to result in a truly sustainable and thriving new community, it must have the support of the people who will live and work there. That is why, with every programme we support, we insist on community consultation programmes such as the one announced today.”

John Kenny, Chair of Portsmouth Housing Association said:

“We are already in one to one meetings with residents who are directly affected and whose homes will need to be redeveloped for the Project. Portsmouth Housing Association’s role is to understand every individual’s needs and wishes. It is the Partnership’s aim that, subject to 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.”

Peter Andrew, Land and Planning Director at Taylor Wimpey said:

“This is a great opportunity for the local community to shape their own future and have their say on how Rowner will look in years to come. Working together in partnership, we aim to create a thriving and attractive new neighbourhood with the people and for the people. We believe this is a great opportunity to demonstrate how public and private organisations can successfully join forces to bring about positive changes for local communities.”

Councillor Ken Thornber CBE, Leader of Hampshire County Council said:

“For some years now Hampshire County Council has been active in looking at ways of increasing the life chances and opportunities for the people of Rowner in Gosport over the long term.

“The Rowner Renewal Project and the Partnership is the result of many years’ hard work, investigations and discussions. Hampshire County Council, working closely with Gosport Borough Council, has committed specialist project management and funding that helped secure the political will to make this Project possible. I am delighted that the public consultation phase can now start. This Project is very important not only for the residents and community of Rowner but for the wider community of Gosport and the economy of South East Hampshire.”

The Partnership’s appointed architects, John Thompson & Partners have arranged a series of events for the residents and community groups of Rowner and these will be publicised in the community. The timetable is as follows:

Public Consultation Timetable: 8 October Portsmouth Housing Association begin one to one interviews with residents affected by the Rowner Renewal Project to ensure that individual needs and wishes are recorded. 11 October Public exhibitions begin at the Youthy (Rowner Youth Centre), and are then staged at Nimrod Community Centre, Gosport Town Hall, SureStart, the Rowner Access Point and PHA’s Gosport Office. 24 October Neighbourhood Workshop, St Mary’s Church, Rowner 25 October Neighbourhood Workshop, Rowner Youth Centre 23/4 November ‘Bringing it all Together’ Design Weekend at Nimrod Community Centre 4 December Report Back Presentation, Siskin Junior School

The Rowner Enquiry Line is open from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm. Tel: 08450 343317