Reuniting a thriving community – how the sustainable regeneration of Arnett Avenue is bringing back comfort, style, and security to the area
The completion of Phase One of the Gorse Ride regeneration programme has brought back safety and security as residents settle into their modern and stylish new homes with pride.
Six months on, the residents are delighted with the growing community and the support that new landlord Loddon Homes, Wokingham Borough Council’s housing team and the builders RJ Leighfield & Sons have given them.
One of the new residents, who moved into one of the new houses in Arnett Avenue has high praise for the regeneration team.
“I am registered blind and I needed somewhere separate in my garden for my guide dog Freddy to do his business,” says Steve Bowers, who is also chair of the Gorse Ride Steering Group.
“I happened to talk to the foreman about this and the next thing I knew, they had built a pen for Freddy, which also included a drain. The service has been amazing. Everyone at Loddon Homes is so friendly and approachable and our local housing officer always responds quickly,” he adds.
Community and friendship
Improving and investing in the local community is an important part of the regeneration programme.
Loddon Homes provided a complimentary move-in package for the new residents, which included a hamper of goodies and a ‘handyman’ service to help put up shelves, curtain poles and make the moving-in process as easy as possible. The landlord also supplied skips so that rubbish could be disposed of quickly and the area kept tidy.
This level of support, and the pride that the new residents have of their new homes and the improved area, has already created a community kindred spirit.
“A few neighbours in the new development recently got together to tidy up some pathways, working as a team. You could really feel the sense of community and pride as they worked together. It’s wonderful to be part of this community and I know this will continue to grow as the regeneration progresses,” he says.
Prospective tenant of the next phase of the regeneration and life-time Gorse Ride resident Mrs J Morgan-Jones is pleased that the regeneration is already bringing new families to the area, which is helping to rebuild the community and offer the neighbourhood friendships she remembers as a child.
Stylish homes
Phase One of the regeneration of Gorse Ride consists of 10 new homes; three of which are being purchased outright by existing homeowners within the Gorse Ride community, and the remaining seven allocated for social rent to residents transferring from within Gorse Ride (as part of the wider regeneration programme). This phase also includes a suite of 16 one and two bed apartments for social rent, and 20 one and two bed apartments for shared ownership.
Each home has been finished to a very high standard, ensuring that the properties are all future-proof buildings for energy efficiency and long-lasting communities.
The quality and specification of each of the modern properties is outstanding, benefitting from attentive planning. Each is equipped with an impressive modern kitchen, stunning bathroom, large bedroom(s), and a bright and spacious living area.
The high standards provide the opportunity for long residencies in modern and stylish properties with all of the mod-cons available, including planning for electric vehicle charging points in the area.
Mr Bowers is delighted with his new home and the quality of the finish, which he says contributes to how proud each resident is of their home and the improved area.
Mrs Morgan-Jones is looking forward to moving into her new home in the next phase of the regeneration, particularly after seeing the high quality of the new apartments at Redlands House.
“I was very impressed by the new buildings that have gone up in phase one. I was given a tour of Redlands House and I was really pleased with the final outcome and the workmanship that went into them. They thought about everything, down to the very last detail and spared no expense. They are very nice inside.”
Mrs Morgan-Jones is also impressed with how the regeneration team have listened to people’s needs, including her own.
“The regeneration team have done nothing but be helpful and understanding about people’s needs and are trying their best to accommodate everyone with their options,” she comments.
New residents can now lay down roots and be part of a growing and thriving community, enjoying safety, style, and comfort in their new sustainable homes.
Loddon Homes is a For Profit, Registered Provider owned by Wokingham Borough Council
The Gorse Ride community regeneration programme consists of social rent and shared ownership homes. Phase One at Arnett Avenue is now completed.
Shared ownership offers an affordable solution to home ownership. The minimum percentage purchase share is 35% and purchasers can put down as a little as 5% deposit on this share, with rent being charged at 1.5% on the remaining unsold equity. For further information regarding these properties please email: info@loddonhomes.co.uk.
