5 December 2007 - Rowner’s community vision
“Get rid of the concrete jungleness of it.”
“We want proper roads, not roads to nowhere.”
“There are too many out of sight places.”
“There’s a need for children to feel safe.”
“Play areas are not just about swings and roundabouts.”
“If there was a supermarket here it would be good for jobs.”
“Make Rowner a place where people want to live in, not just because it’s cheap.”
“We want to make sure this community is still together in 20 years time.”
These are just a few of the comments that JTP (the Project’s architects) and the Partnership heard during the first two months of the public consultation phase of the Rowner Renewal Project.
Over 200 local residents, stakeholders and community groups participated in the various events, workshops and interviews organised by JTP. As well as the residents, they have worked with Siskin Junior School, the Rowner Vision Group, the Youthy, Groundwork Solent, the Rowner Access Point, Gosport Regeneration Action Forum and SureStart to gain an insight into local people’s aspirations for Rowner.
Following the Community Design Weekend on 23 and 24 November, all the comments and ideas of the community have been analysed and a draft Vision has been developed for the £140 million regeneration of Rowner.
PHA has also held individual meetings with residents directly affected by the Project and a series of Questions and Answer leaflets have been distributed to answer frequently asked questions in writing.
John Butler, Project Director explains:
“The Partnership and JTP have listened carefully to all that has been said and would like to thank residents, community groups and local stakeholders for their time, energy and commitment so far.
“JTP has responded and now produced an illustrated Vision for Rowner taking into account what the local community have said to them. The Vision aims to blend the new communal green space, create a new community square adjacent to the Youthy and SureStart and provide new retail opportunities with a mix of housing styles and street scenes. There may also be an opportunity for a landmark building.”
The Vision was outlined to the community last night in a “Report Back” session at Siskin Junior School. Residents received a newsletter from JTP and the Partnership summarising the key themes and action points that residents and stakeholders have raised during the last two months. All residents and stakeholders in Rowner will be receiving personal copies of this shortly and it can be accessed on the Rowner Renewal website.
Charles Campion from JTP says:
“There will be more opportunities for the community to influence the evolution of the scheme in forums to be held in January and February. The forums will be open to everyone and will focus on particular topics such as landscape, new homes, community facilities and transport.”
The Rowner Vision now forms the focus for the MasterPlan of Rowner. It will inform and be central to it. The final MasterPlan will go to planning in March 2008 with first building work commencing in the latter part of the year. The Partnership anticipates to have more detailed architectural plans for the first housing phase available by the end of the first quarter of 2008.
For further information about this project visit www.rownerrenewal.com
The Rowner Enquiry Line is open from Monday to Friday 9 am to 5pm.
Tel: 08450 343317
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