Full Steam Ahead as My North Town Gains Planning Approval
First Wessex Housing Group’s £100 million regeneration scheme for My North Town in Aldershot is going full speed ahead today as it received planning approval by Rushmoor Borough Council Planning Committee. This followed extensive public consultation over a period of six months, revisions to the MasterPlan and commercial negotiations as well as extensive consultation with Rushmoor and Hampshire County Council officers.
Upon hearing the news, the First Wessec and My North Town Design Team gathered for a celebratory official photograph to record this momentous occasion.
An exhibition of the detailed application proposals, including the various types of new homes that will be available was held at the North Town Base on 7th, 9th and 12th September. Residents could also view a virtual tour of the regenerated estate and this is now on My North Town website: www.mynorthtown.net. People liked what they saw and had no overriding concerns or issues.
If all goes smoothly, demolition and building work is expected to start in Phase One in Spring 2010. This will include replacing the older persons’ home, Alma House. The MasterPlan has been divided into six possible phases with the last one expected to complete in 2017.
The proposed timing for the first three phases of the Renewal Project is:
Start work on site for Phase One Spring 2010
Complete Phase One & start Phase Two Spring 2011
Complete Phase Two & start Phase Three Autumn 2012
First Wessex will now find a contractor for the project. It will advertise in the European Journal to the whole of Europe including the UK, for contractors to bid for the work. The notice will run for 39 days and will take up until the end of November.
Interested contractors must submit an “Expession of Interest” and will then be invited to make a submission. There is a strict Award Criteria which is published and contractors will be scored against this Criteria. It is hoped that contractors can be short listed before Christmas.
In the New Year, the short listed contractors will receive a “Tender Package” and there will then be a six week tender period until the end of February. All short listed contractors will be interviewed. The newly formed My North Town Residents’ Consultative Group will be invited to participate in this process.
The appointment of the contractor will take place at the end of March with the appropriate lead-in period. Once the legal agreements for planning, highways works and contributions are completed it is hoped that work can begin on site in Spring 2010.
The vision for My North Town is to regenerate the North Town Renewal Area by providing high quality, environmentally sustainable homes and facilities. First Wessex Housing Group, in partnership with Rushmoor Borough Council, will continue to work closely with local residents and community groups to deliver the new homes, job opportunities and community benefits.
Hazel Warwick, Group Director of Development for First Wessex said:
“First Wessex Housing Group is immensely proud of its plans to regenerate the area for the benefit of many generations to come. We have listened very closely to resident views.
“We will now begin to undertake a detailed housing needs survey concentrating on Phase One and Phase Two to ensure that people are moved in a timely, efficient and considerate manner. We urge all affected residents to contact us if they have any queries. Our Enquiry line of 0800 358 0459 is still available and in November and December we will be holding drop- in Rehousing Surgeries for everyone at the North Town Base every other Thursday 4-6pm”
” In addition, our newsletters will continue to inform residents and the wider community of our progress.. We value continued feedback from North Town residents and the wider community”.
