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New Loudoun Edges Closer To Reality

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In the last month the £16m redevelopment of Loudoun Square, which is being led by CCHA, has taken three major steps forward.

On the 6th November Cardiff Council’s Executive agreed to enter into a joint agreement with CCHA and the Cardiff and Vale University Health Board to fund the multi-million pound scheme. Executive Member for Communities, Cllr Judith Woodman said, “I am delighted the regeneration has been approved, the area will benefit economically and socially from the scheme and I know that many residents are looking forward to work commencing”.

Days later, on the 19th November, the Health Minister, Mrs Edwina Hart OBE, whilst on a visit to the Loudoun Square area announced that the Welsh Assembly Government is to provide a grant of over £6m to develop the new health centre, which is the centre-piece of the new scheme.

The new centre will provide multiple health services all under one roof. The centre aims to meet the needs of the local population with the health services working in partnership with the wider community and public sector partners.

Mrs Hart said, “The new centre will replace the current Butetown Health Centre. Developing a modern, energy efficient and accessible centre that meets the need of local priority is a priority”.

Praising the scheme, Mrs Hart said “Loudoun Square will be a flagship for local, cross-sector working and community-based health care delivery”.

Following on from health, the Assembly Government’s Housing team then approved the £3.6m Social Housing Grant which will help to deliver the new affordable homes.

Scheme to Start Early in the New Year

The milestones that have been reached in the last few weeks mean that a new-year start for the development is now planned and so 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 £16m 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 and,
a multi-purpose new community centre
major environmental improvements making Loudoun Square a great place to live, shop and visit.

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Meanwhile, the community consultation goes on. 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.

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 follow the link to New Loudoun Square – The Facts. The leaflet will shortly be available in Arabic, Bengali and Somali.

Want to Speak to CCHA About New Loudoun Square?

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

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The Opening of the New Trowbridge Community Centre

Over 100 members of the community join in the celebrations!

Trowbridge Community Centre’s official open day went with bang, a fantastic turn out by the local community with over 100 members of the public taking part in the celebrations.

Also present on the day was:

Concillor Cook, Councillor Grant and Councillor Walsh
Hayley Morgan - Cardiff County Council Redevelopment and Regeneration
CCHA staff
Cardiff Credit Union
Lovell
Communities First

The ceremony started with unveiling of the ceramic art mural which was developed over the summer months by local children and their families of the Trowbridge Community.

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Children of the local schools entered a design competition where six of the children won techniquest vouchers; their ideas are now incorporated into the finished mural visible inside the foyer of the centre.

Information stalls were available to the public on the day giving organisations the opportunity to provide information on the types of services which will be offered at the centre. CCHA also teamed up with Communities first to deliver activities which included face painting, parachute games, free refreshments and a tour of the New Centre. There was also a free prize draw conducted by our very own Tenant Involvement Officer, Nicky Condon.

A fantastic time was had by all and we would like to thank everyone who took part in this event.

The following partners are involved with using the space at Trowbridge Community Centre as of Monday 23rd November:

NEET: Career Wales’s service
Cardiff County Council Youth service
Cardiff Credit Union
Age Concern
Careers Wales
Food Co- operative
Dance classes with Susan Wallace
Loan Parents Advice Service
Communities First
CSV training (Back to work Training)
Cllr Cook, Cllr Grant, Cllr Walsh
Lovell Builders - Free Drawing books and pencils

Trowbridge Community Centre’s Festive Event

Please accept an invitation from CCHA to a festive event on the 12th of December from 12pm to 4pm. There will be festive decorations, mince pies, refreshments and a local choir will be on hand to provide the Christmas Carols. HO HO HO! You never know Father Christmas might pay a visit!

If you would like further information regarding the NEW TROWBRIDGE COMMUNITY CENTRE please contact Susan Anscombe, Community Development Co-ordinator at susan.anscombe@ccha.org.uk or on 029 2046 8417.

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Wear it Pink Day for Breast Cancer……£154 raised so far!

On the 11th of November all CCHA took part in wear it pink day for Breast Cancer. Generous staff members gave up spare time to bake cakes for our Pink cake competition. The competition was enthusiastically judged by Kevin Protheroe, Chief Executive and Matthew Thomas, Housing Director who throughly enjoy sampling the entries!

All the entries were sold to help raise funds for this worthy campaign. CCHA staff also entered a raffle to raise further money with the winners receiving pink goodies!

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Colchester Avenue
29 New Properties Handed Over!

The 29 New properties at Colchester Avenue have now been handed over, ready for their new families to enjoy their first Christmas in their new home. Ten of the 29 properties were sold as part of our Low Cost Home Ownership Scheme which is a fantastic achievement for our Development Team considering the current climate. Below are some pictures of the finished properties:

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Tenant Involvement News

Aladin Pantomime Trip - A Wonderful day had by all!

As promised everyone had a fantastic afternoon of family entertainment with the much loved pantomime performance of Aladin. We cheered the good guys, booed the baddies, lite up our magical rings and waved our wands; Some wishing that the performance would never end!

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