“LEFT BEHIND” LOUDOUN – NEW START IN 2010

£13m Regeneration Scheme on New Year Horizon

Recently described by a prominent local resident as an area of Cardiff that has “… been left behind while all the building work [in Cardiff Bay] has gone on around us”, a multi-million pound regeneration of Loudoun Square, Butetown is planned for 2010.

Since 2006 we have been working in partnership with Cardiff Council, the Cardiff Local Health Board and the Cardiff and Vale NHS Trust (the latter two organisations are now part of the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board, which came into being on 1st October 2009) to bring about the long-overdue revitalisation of this corner of Cardiff.

The Butetown area of Cardiff is one of Wales’s most deprived wards and the Loudoun Square corner of the area is badly in need of regeneration.

The shops, health centre and flats were built in the 1960s and have remained largely untouched since then – the derelict flats above the shops have been vacant for many years and the former residential home for older persons has already been demolished.

Following extensive consultation with the local community, it is currently anticipated that the regeneration could start as early as January 2010. When completed the £13m scheme, which will be jointly-funded by the partners, will deliver:

• 13 superb new family homes
• 48 excellent quality flats – the houses and flats will be some of the
   most environmentally friendly homes in Cardiff
• 11 brand new shops for the retailers
• a high quality new health centre
• a multi-purpose new community centre
• major environmental improvements making Loudoun Square a great place to live, shop and visit.

With hopes-high for a start early in the new year – Leadbitter Construction has recently been appointed as the contractor to develop the scheme, the next phase of our community consultation, Butetown Back2Back, is up and running.

The ‘BB2B’ consultation has been a positive event. During October we held three public events where we spoke to over 300 people, including a women-only event. We managed to complete over 280 questionnaires on the scheme and the new community hall.

The members of the public we have spoken to have been overwhelmingly in favour of the proposals for the scheme. However, we are aware that the new scheme is the subject of much local discussion, which we welcome, and that some members of the community are concerned about the scheme. Their worries are probably not being helped by a number of inaccurate rumours relating to the scheme which we aware are in circulation in the area: seemingly anything from the quadrupling of the retailers’ rents, to the sale of new Loudoun Square by CCHA to make – all of which are simply untrue.

Piecing together the new Loudoun Square scheme has been a long, complicated process. To help residents get to grips with the new scheme we’ve now produced a fact sheet which addresses concerns raised by residents.

For the full facts behind Loudoun Square including the translation in Arabic, Bengali and Somali follow the link to New Loudoun Square – The Facts.

Want to Speak to CCHA About New Loudoun Square?

We’re at Loudoun Square every Monday and Friday at the BB2B portacabin between 2 – 4pm. Please feel free to call in and speak to us. Or you can telephone us on: 029 2046 2142.

NEW COMMUNITY CENTRE GOOD TO GO

We’re Open for Business on Monday 23rd November 2009!

Want to know what’s possible at Loudoun Square – take a new look at Trowbridge Shops!

The regeneration of the area has been a major priority for CCHA and its close partner, Cardiff Council, for many years. Originally built in the 1960s, the complex of shops and maisonettes had been in decline for sometime – crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour have blighted the area and the lives of the local community.

Work started on the development in April 2007, following consultation with the local community.

In two years we’ve built:

• 5 excellent new shops for local traders – all occupied
• 45 much-needed homes to rent, which includes 30 family homes, and 15 flats
• the superb new community centre

The £6m redevelopment would not have been possible without the close working relation between Cardiff Council and CCHA and the financial support of the Welsh Assembly Government. The scheme has transformed this corner of Trowbridge and we’re very proud of it. All the new homes were snapped up straight away and most of them are now occupied – the last few lucky tenants will move in within the next few days.

The scheme’s jewel-in-the crown is the new community centre, which boasts a series of meeting rooms, an IT suite, office accommodation and a kitchen. We consulted widely with the local community on the development and the running of the hall, and local representatives will form part of the management committee which will run the hall.

Open Day… Open Invitation to You

There will be an ‘open day’ at the centre on 21st November between 12-4pm to showcase the groups and activities which will be taking place in the hall. We’ll also been announcing the winners of the community artwork competition and unveiling the winning designs. All the artwork has been designed by local school children and their designs will be incorporated into the mosaic which will be a feature of the new building.

So, if you live in the area, please come along to the open day to take a first look at the new centre. We’ve got some fun activities lined–up; it’s a great way to find out what’s going on and to meet the people and groups who’ll be organising the events from the hall. Staff of CCHA, Cardiff Council and the developer, Lovells, will also be on hand to answer any questions you may have.

AFFORDABLE WARMTH CASEWORK SERVICE LAUNCH

Care & Repair Cardiff in partnership with Taff Housing Association and Cardiff Community Housing Association are pleased to announce the launch of a new Affordable Warmth Casework Service.

The service aims to help older CCHA tenants in Cardiff who may be struggling with high fuel bills or are finding their homes cold and hard to heat.

The Affordable Warmth Casework Service will visit both older tenants and home owners in their own homes.  At this visit, the Caseworker will provide advice, assistance and support to help the householder with a number of key issues.  These will include advice on the energy efficiency of the property, using energy more efficiently as well as ensuring that people are paying for their energy in the most cost effective way.  A benefit check will also be provided to ensure that people are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, which may lead to extra money in their pockets to help cover the cost of fuel bills.

The Caseworker will review with the person what is wanted and needed to address affordable warmth issues and will then put together a package of support to make it happen.  This is flexible, so that if a person does not agree with anything suggested, or if their needs change, the service to them will change as well. 

For further information regarding the Affordable Warmth Casework Service or to arrange an appointment to meet with the Affordable Warmth Caseworker, please contact Beatrice Roberts at Care & Repair Cardiff on 02920 473337 or email careandrepair@ccha.org.uk.

MONEYLINE CYMRU

As part of CCHA's Financial Inclusion strategy we are working with Moneyline Cymru to signpost the range of services that they could offer you. A new moneyline Cymru office is opening on the 16th of November at 184 Cowbridge Road East, CF11 9NE. Moneyline Cymru is a not for profit Industrial and Provident Society regulated by the Financial Servies Authority.

They are offering loans, basic bank accounts and savings at fair rates with the aim of helping people avoid doorstep lenders and loan sharks as well as accessing affordable credit and lower rates through being able to make use of direct debits. (subject to credit checks) 

For further information please click here.

Contact
Tel: 02920 344460
Email: info@moneylinecymru.co.uk
Website: www.moneylinecymru.co.uk

TENANT INVOLVEMENT NEWS

Aladdin Pantomime Trip!

CCHA are running a free Aladdin Pantomime trip on the 12th December 2009 which promises an afternoon of family entertainment. For further information and contact details please click here.

Environmental Group Update

CCHA ran a trip to Dewstow Gardens in June. For information on this event, questionnaire results, cardiff walks and useful contacts please click here.

The Services Inspectors Group has been launched!

NEXT UPDATE: DECEMBER 2009