The Rowner Renewal Partnership

On the 20 March 2007, the Rowner Renewal Partnership (RRP) was launched. The Partnership brings together publicly the five key agents for the change in Rowner - English Partnerships, Gosport Borough Council, Hampshire County Council, Portsmouth Housing Association and Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd.

The vision of the Partnership is to bring regeneration to the Rowner area through high quality, environmentally sustainable homes and facilities and to engage with local people to enhance local community capacity and structures. The Partnership’s mission is to improve, to add value and to increase pride in Rowner.

Rowner Renewal Partnership (RRP) will make a significant difference to the community of Gosport and South Hampshire not just in providing the homes and facilities but in empowering the local community to develop longer term community structures and services.

RRP is a professional and highly effective partnership with a clear vision for the redevelopment of the Rowner estate including Rowner Village and its future sustainability within the regional economy.

RRP is responding to the call for action from local people and the Gosport Borough Council and welcomes consultation and the two way communication with local people over its plans for Rowner.

RRP partners possess an enviable track record of working with local communities in delivering tangible benefits. RRP will deliver many positive outcomes for the residents and retailers of Rowner.

The members in the Rowner Renewal Partnership have pledged millions of pounds of investment to make the redevelopment of the Rowner estate a possibility.

English Partnerships is providing £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. Taylor Wimpey UK Ltd is investing in excess of £16 million.

The Rowner Renewal Project is possible due to the public/private organisations bringing together the financial support, planning and development expertise that will be needed to take this regeneration scheme forward.

All of the members of the Partnership are leaders in community regeneration and providers of quality homes:

English Partnerships is the government’s national regeneration agency delivering high quality, sustainable growth in England. We do this by developing our portfolio of strategic projects and acting as the government’s advisor on brownfield land. We also ensure that surplus public sector assets are used to support wider government objectives, especially those contained in the Sustainable Communities Plan. English Partnerships helps create communities where people can afford to live and want to live. Information on projects and programmes can be found at www.englishpartnerships.co.uk »

English Partnerships and the Housing Corporation are working with the Department for Communities and Local Government to establish the proposed Homes and Communities Agency.

Gosport Borough Council is the accountable body for the citizens of Gosport and speaks on behalf of the whole community. The redevelopment of the Rowner Village is a significant priority for the Council. They wish to work closely with their residents to ensure that within Rowner a cohesive and sustainable community is maintained. The Council has long supported community development and projects in Rowner and has assembled the team to get things done. www.gosport.gov.uk

Hampshire County Council has played a key leadership role in facilitating the Partnership. It has committed specialist project management and financial support and secured the political will, at regional and national levels, for the regeneration of Rowner. It is the accountable body for the citizens of Hampshire and takes the strategic view for long term benefit. On the project their responsibilities include issues affecting roads, transport and regeneration. www.hants.gov.uk

Portsmouth Housing Association is a respected local association with a strong track record of success in community development and regeneration. PHA is a member of First Wessex Housing Group and manages manages 1400 homes in Gosport of mixed tenure for rent and shared ownership. It has a significant stake in Rowner and is a well respected landlord, well placed to manage the outcomes of the regeneration. www.phagroup.org.uk