| The Lyng |
|
| Client: | Barratt Homes |
| Project: | FSquared worked with Barratt Homes on their bid to create locally specific approaches to deliver social and economic benefit. |
| Location: | West Bromwich |
| Value: | Not Available |
| Status: | Barratt have been announced as preferred developer |
Outcomes
The Need
The Lyng was formerly a public housing estate, close to the centre of West Bromwich, developed in the 1960’s which in recent years had experienced both population and economic decline. As part of the regeneration of the area, the estate has been largely cleared and there have been a number of new developments including a new health centre and a series of environmental exemplar housing projects and refurbishments. Although the area had experienced significant decline, there remained a strong community spirit which had been fostered throughout the regeneration programme by Sandwell MBC with community engagement and involvement programmes. This led to the creation of a The Lyng Community Housing Association managed by the local community which owns the new social housing in the area. Sandwell MBC and The Lyng Community Association were seeking a private sector housing partner to develop a mixed tenure estate to complete the regeneration of the Lyng creating a thriving, mixed sustainable neighbourhood.
Our Response
We developed a range of proposals which included:
Creating a local skills legacy in partnership with local training providers
Making space available on site for lunch time surgeries for mentoring and training of experienced workers to support OSAT training programmes
Developing an inspirational programme to encourage young people to continue in education - Young Stars – where apprentices talk to students at local colleges about their experiences and the benefit of qualifications complemented by a programme of work placements and site visits
Supporting the local authority in its plans for the area and in its commitment to local community involvement and ownership by:-
Carrying out added value consultation to help inform local residents of the potential benefits and challenges of the Council’s planned approach to public open space management via a Community Development Trust
Creating ways for new and existing residents to get involved in the area as active citizens through the Heart of Lyng Fund which will provide funding for community activities and The Lyng Virtual Community Centre a web based focal point for the community
Providing a range of options for the delivery of a nursery on the site, based on discussions with commercial and voluntary sector childcare providers, which could be tailored to align with the outcomes of the Council’s Childcare Needs and Demand assessment
Supporting the development of a strong local economy through local employment and supply chain initiatives including a commitment to work in partnership with Think Local Construction to maximise local jobs and contract works
Contributing to the environmental excellence of the area through both the housing designs, improved bio-diversity and through innovative transport initiatives such as The Lyng Car Club
The Benefits
As the project moves into the delivery stage, these proposals will be taken forward to ensure that sustainability and community are at the heart of the regeneration of the Lyng.
The Need
The Lyng was formerly a public housing estate, close to the centre of West Bromwich, developed in the 1960’s which in recent years had experienced both population and economic decline. As part of the regeneration of the area, the estate has been largely cleared and there have been a number of new developments including a new health centre and a series of environmental exemplar housing projects and refurbishments. Although the area had experienced significant decline, there remained a strong community spirit which had been fostered throughout the regeneration programme by Sandwell MBC with community engagement and involvement programmes. This led to the creation of a The Lyng Community Housing Association managed by the local community which owns the new social housing in the area. Sandwell MBC and The Lyng Community Association were seeking a private sector housing partner to develop a mixed tenure estate to complete the regeneration of the Lyng creating a thriving, mixed sustainable neighbourhood.
Our Response
We developed a range of proposals which included:
Contributing to the environmental excellence of the area through both the housing designs, improved bio-diversity and through innovative transport initiatives such as The Lyng Car Club
The Benefits
As the project moves into the delivery stage, these proposals will be taken forward to ensure that sustainability and community are at the heart of the regeneration of the Lyng.