Residents’ views on Alt and Sholver proposals
20 February 2008
Alt and Sholver residents are receiving news about their collective views on the future of the estates, following extensive consultation at the end of 2007.
The Alt and Sholver Partnership has arranged delivery of feedback newsletters (separate Alt and Sholver versions) to every home and business on the estates this week. The results show a strong commitment to both estates and highlight issues to be investigated as proposals for the future of the estates are developed further.
The Alt and Sholver Partnership includes Sholver Tenants’ Management Organisation, Alt Tenants and Residents Association, First Choice Homes Oldham, Oldham Council and Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal.
Councillor Dave Hibbert, Oldham Council Cabinet Member for the Environment and Regeneration, said, “We had an excellent response to last year’s consultation. Hundreds of people gave us their views via questionnaires, personal appointments, discussion groups, neighbourhood events, calls to the freephone line, community events and home visits. These newsletters thank people for the time they gave and demonstrate our commitment to listening to many different views.
“The newsletters are not intended to inform people about final versions of plans for their neighbourhood: we are not at this stage yet. But they do give people important information about what happens next, when and how they can become more involved.”
The headlines coming out of the consultation were:
- There was a strong commitment to Alt and Sholver with the majority of residents confirming they want to live there in five years time
- Many residents supported proposals to improve the estates, but there were concerns about rehousing and financial issues – and the scale of change (Sholver)
- Alt residents, in particular, said they were keen to see re-development that would help to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour
- Some Sholver residents want to see the local environment of the estate improved but there was some concern about building on open land.
- Many Sholver residents supported removing empty flats at the top of Longfellow Crescent (block 237 – 59).
Lila Wilson, an Alt resident, said, “I am not alone in my support for regeneration as the majority of people I speak to are in favour of some sort of change. I think if people knew that regeneration would definitely bring them better houses, then even more would be in favour of the plans. I would like to see the back of all bungalows that are currently lying empty and boarded up. Residents are leaving their properties because of anti-social behaviour and so far nothing’s being done to help them.”
The Alt and Sholver Partnership Board is now examining the results of the consultation alongside other factors. The decisions to be taken are complex and affect long-term investment proposals for both estates. The Partnership has committed to issuing another newsletter and discussing their decisions with residents later this year. Detailed masterplans for each area will be developed in 2009 with the work on the first new homes scheduled to start in 2010.
All Alt and Sholver residents should receive a copy of the newsletter by Monday 25th February. If you haven’t received your copy by Monday 25th February, you can read it here or contact the Alt & Sholver Team on freephone 0800 077 8197.
Sholver newsletter - February 08
Photo: David and Angela Hickman consider proposals to transform Alt at a consultation event in October 2007