Private Sector Housing Regeneration Areas
We have a limited amount of money to spend in areas of predominantly privately owned and rented homes. This is used to tackle housing, environmental, economic and social problems. Because the budget is restricted in size it has to be spent in areas where there is most need.
We have pre-selected particular areas that will benefit from this kind of investment based on a Neighbour Renewal Assessment. We concentrate the spending on improving local housing conditions and building healthy communities. Don't worry if you're not living in one of these areas - you can still access many of the services described elsewhere.
Area Renewal Schemes
To improve housing conditions in parts of the County Borough we organises and fund group repair schemes to improve the appearance and quality of the area. Environmental improvements have also been carried out working in partnership with other orgainisations. These have included upgrading street lighting, introducing traffic calming measures and landscaping of local areas.
The Private Sector Renewal Team are responsible for co-ordinating the renewal schemes:
Current renewal programmes
The current strategy is to carry out ‘envelope’ work to properties within Merthyr Vale, Aberfan and Dowlais. Work is carried out to the external 'shell' of the properties in a street to improve the environment. The work can include the replacement of roofs and chimneys, re-pointing and cleaning brickwork, installing new windows, doors and gates, renewing gutters and downpipes, and in some circumstances rebuilding garden walls.
Working with other Partners
The team has also worked closely with other agencies and funding bodies in order to expand and extend our projects. It has also enabled us to take a more holistic approach in cases where there are a number of problems, which require a multi-agency solution.
Community consultation
Ensuring that local residents views and aspirations are reflected in our strategies is important to us and is shown through our support of local community and residents groups. ’Fir Vale Community Forum’ and residents groups in Burngreave have been instrumental in assisting and developing our programmes.
Schemes in progress 2005-06
Group Repair schemes:
- Aberfan Road,
- Mount Pleasant,
- Bryntaf,
- Cardiff Road,
- Market Street,
- Walters Street,
- Cross Morlais Street
- Graig Terrace.
Future Programme
To continue the group repair projects in Mount Pleasant and Bryntaf.
Neighbourhood Renewal
The Area Renewal teams provide a range of services to residents who own, live in or rent out private houses or flats.
We are able to offer help to individuals to improve their homes, and we are responsible for raising housing standards throughout the County Borough - an important part of the council's drive to regenerate our communities.
Strengthening communities
Most of our work involves regenerating housing conditions and the physical environment. But it also includes safety and security, places for children to play, things for young people to do, creating pleasant open spaces and being involved in decisions that affect you.
Your street could receive improvements
We can help upgrade the 'envelope' of some homes as part of wider plans to improve housing conditions in an area. The work is usually done on rows of terraced houses. You may have to contribute something towards the work depending on your circumstances, but the maximum amount that you will be required to pay is no more than a quarter of the total cost.
How to apply
There's a limited amount of money available, so we target homes that will contribute to a wider regeneration policy. Phone our Neighbourhood Renewal Office on 01443 692418 or 01685 725373.
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