Hello!
Welcome to our June blog update about our work in Somerton.
Our June Resident Steering Group met on the 7 June at Nexus House, and online via Teams. We had 7 residents attend the meeting online and at Nexus House. Andrew and Terry from Oxford Architects attended at the meeting. Andrew talked through the design activity we have been working on, please see minutes for this detail.
You can read the minutes in full here.
Project Plan
We have been working on a project plan, which includes timescale and a phasing plan for each area of the regeneration (demolish and build new homes) works. This is a working document and all dates are provisional and could be subject to change.
Design Update
This past month have submitted to Welsh Government submission, we have received feedback on our proposals, this has been approved. We will be providing feedback in Julys meeting.
We have carried out various surveys to aid the regeneration and refurbishment works, such as ecology, transport and acoustic surveys.
We have also been looking at Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) we have been looking into homes made by TopHat, we are now exploring other suppliers on MMC homes so we can compare cost, material, finished product.
Our landscape architect has also been working on providing design landscaping proposals throughout the estate, to ensure we are looking at green spaces, play spaces, active travel links
For our refurbishment pilot scheme tenders are due back on Friday 9th June, we will be looking to go though and score those submissions. There will be an update at Steering Group Meeting in July
Empty Properties
We had Nick Collier from our Empty Properties team talk to the group about the process a property goes through when it becomes empty. A survey is carried out of the property and works that are needed are allocated and costed for. We need to ensure that the works we carry out are to Welsh Housing Quality Standard (WHQS) and Housing health and Safety Rating System (HHSRS)
With the properties we are purchasing there is usually more work required to these such as electrics, heating, kitchens and bathroom – due to their age
We are working with Welsh Government and Newport City Council to see if we can get some of these homes rented back out on a temporary basis.
Communication
An updated newsletter will be delivered to every home in Somerton, this is to show what we have been working on and what will be happening over the course of this year
We will also be holding a community consultation event at The Hope Centre, this date is to be confirmed. Every household will have an invite to the event posted through their door
Time and Date of Next Meeting
Wednesday 5 July at 17:30pm
We hope that this blog has been useful – if you have any questions, or if there’s anything you’d like us to cover in future blogs, please get in touch with us at rebecca.sluman@newportcityhomes.com.