Saturday 19 September 2015

Viewpoint - Clare Cleary - September 2015


As Cabinet Member for Housing it’s wonderful to see things happening to regenerate the area. For example Project Phoenix, which is in its fourth phase, providing 103 brand new, modern, energy efficient homes with parking and gardens. The scheme, built by the Council’s Developer Partner, Keepmoat, offers real choice for families with a range of bungalows and 2, 3 and 4 bedroom houses to buy or rent.

Regeneration continues in Woodnook, the transformation is well underway with several different phases and types of work in progress via the Council’s Partner, Place First.

The first homes in Phase 1 on Augusta Street are already occupied by new families and are proving to be very desirable. These traditional, terraced houses have been renovated to an exceptional standard, with high levels of insulation, energy efficient heating systems, modern kitchens and bathrooms and are available to rent via Place First.

Face-lifting to shops and houses on Nuttall Street is almost complete and forms an impressive entrance to the area. The next phase of face-lifting to 139 houses on Clement St, Bishop St, South Street and Wilfred St will start very soon, improving other gateways into Woodnook.

Priestly Nook will be landscaped to provide a community space and will complete the Nuttall Street gateway. This space will be used to hold events to bring the neighbourhood together and once work is complete it will be maintained by Place First.

Renovation work continues to the “pepper potted” properties which are scattered across the Woodnook area. The first 10 proved very popular with all properties being let to new tenants. The next 4 have started on Clement Street with the remaining 46 being completed over the next eighteen months.

It’s also great to see plans progressing for a new town centre square in Accrington, to commemorate the sacrifice and bravery of the Accrington Pals. This will be the centrepiece of a project which will also see the restoration of some of Accrington’s key historic retail and commercial buildings in the town centre.

Don’t miss your chance to see the ‘Looking up and Down’ exhibition in the Market Hall which opens tomorrow. You can also put forward your own ideas about the Town Square, which will be bus-free and at the heart of the town’s revitalised heritage whilst you’re there.

Accrington is a town with a strong and proud heritage and its fine legacy of mid to late 19th and 20th century buildings are key to its distinct identity. This project offers an exciting opportunity to find out more about the town’s built heritage, create a new space for activities and to remember the sacrifice of the Accrington Pals in a way that future generations can identify with.

Please get involved and share your thoughts and ideas at the exhibition which runs from Friday 18th to Saturday 26th September. Officers, including the Townscape Heritage Initiative Officer, Annette Birch, will be on hand for questions and discussions on Friday 18th and Saturday 19th between 10am – 3pm and from Monday 21st to Friday 25th between 10 – 12 noon.

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