Published on 8th July 2011

Residents delighted with new green space

The residents of Scott House can now enjoy getting closer to nature after the official opening of their fantastic new green space created by Cheltenham Borough Homes (CBH) as part of their large-scale transformation of the area.

On Thursday 7 July 2011 scores of residents from Scott House turned out to attend the official opening ceremony of the new garden which boasts new trees, attractive planting beds, allotment areas, clothes lines and newly created seating areas where residents can relax in an attractive setting.

The Scott and Edward Wilson House Regeneration Project was launched last year and since then the regeneration work has been progressing well with Hester's Way residents reporting that they are "thrilled" with the huge transformation and say it has already strengthened their community spirit.

The transformational improvements on Scott House have now been completed. The works are still ongoing at Edward Wilson House and are expected to be completed later on this summer.

Launched in 2010, the project is seeing a huge makeover of the area including:

  • new community garden including clothes lines, seating areas, allotment areas and planting beds
  • new trees
  • new cycle stores and bin stores
  • improvements to the perimeter security
  • repairs to the concrete balconies
  • reinstatement of vehicle access onto Oldbury Road and Hester's Way Road

Residents have been heavily involved in the development of the designs to improve their community and after expressing a particular interest in creating wildlife habitats on their doorstep, in partnership with the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, CBH launched an innovative nature project called Proud to be Green. The project gives residents the opportunity to improve the area's wildlife by building log piles, putting up bird boxes and feeding stations, planting bulbs and sowing wildflower seeds.

Paul Stephenson, Deputy Chief Executive at CBH said: "We are very pleased with the finished works and delighted that the community has taken such a proactive role in the planning and development of transforming the area into an attractive space for everyone to enjoy now and in the future."

The regeneration work is being carried out by Mansell Construction and Halsall Construction.

In addition to the physical improvements, as part of CBHs' Scott and Edward Wilson House Regeneration Project, a Community Hub located at Edward Wilson House has opened its doors and now welcomes residents to drop-in every Wednesday from 11am to 3pm , and every Monday and Friday from 2pm and 4pm .

Visitors to the Hub can meet with CBH officers and partners and along with the opportunity to have their say, CBH has a dedicated Employment Initiatives Co-ordinator on hand to meet with residents and guide them into employment and training. A series of adult education classes, run in conjunction with Gloucestershire Adult Education, are also being held at the Hub.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Cheltenham Borough Homes:

  • CBH is one of the top rated ALMOs (Arms Length Management Organisations) in the country. ALMOs are not for profit companies that run social housing services for their local council
  • Currently CBH manage and maintain around 5,000 tenant and leasehold properties with an overall satisfaction level of 85%, placing them in the top ten ALMOs nationally 
  • The organisation's approach to community development and participation; governance and equality and diversity has been recognised as good practice nationally
  • CBH continue to develop excellent services by working closely with customers.  It will include building new homes and continuing to regenerate communities whilst tackling issues of worklessness and addressing social enterprise

For further information visit: http://www.cheltborohomes.org/

Press contact: Catherine Best e: catherine.best@cheltborohomes.org t: 01242 775317