Blackwall Reach | July | issue 2

Your design feedback

Consultation about the outline design plans for the future of the Blackwall Reach area has been in full swing during the last few weeks, with a string of events providing opportunities for people to comment. This month's 'intouch' includes a focus on the consultation activities that have taken place and recces provided. June saw public consultation events attended by more than 120 individuals, including local residents and stakeholders. A model of the Blackwall Reach area and design boards were on display, giving a visual perspective of the plans. Staff from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Homes and Communities Agency, Swan Housing Association and Aedas Architects were all on hand to answer questions. A two-day Design Exhibition was delivered specifically for the residents of Robin Hood Gardens. This was held at the Blackwall Enterprise Centre on 3 and 4 June. Around 77 households attended the event and provided very useful feedback. "We hope to see ideas on children's play and a multi-sports court. The community centre is an excellent idea and the mosque helps bring communities even closer" A. Hasnath

"It looks good. I would like to have a separate kitchen. I think the open space should be greener with trees and facilities for children. I think there should be car park for the residents and rooms should be more spacious. We'd like to have gas facilities" Abu N. Rahman

"It looks nice but our buildings, kitchen, bathroom, living room, everything should be big enough. I also want the building to have a private garden and car park. I also want to say that the kitchen and sitting room should be separated" Somir Uddin

www.blackwallreach.co.uk

Working together to make a positive change

On the road...
We have also been consulting with people who do not live at Robin Hood Gardens. Design Roadshows were held at Providence Wharf and South Poplar on the 8 and 11 June for residents and stakeholders nearby to Blackwall Reach. In particular some respondents were unclear about the key benefits in terms of the additional social housing; employment; and community opportunities to be provided as part of the scheme, These key benefits are as follows:

"So far very happy about the regeneration plan and consultation"
Sabbir Ahmed The roadshows provided useful feedback, but they also highlighted the fact that some people who do not live at Robin Hood Gardens are less informed about the scheme. Shopkeepers from Poplar High Street also attended. They had a lot of questions about the scheme and asked for more consultation with businesses.

"Very exciting project. It's always nice to have positive redevelopment in a poor area of Tower Hamlets"
Tim White

part of the scheme as well as improved communal facilities and green space We hope to address the issue of not sufficiently informing those living outside the scheme during the coming months, and will continue to engage with all Blackwall Reach residents and stakeholders who are affected by the proposed plans

"Looks good is long overdue. It would be good to know whether there will be any consideration given to the local labour market e.g. could be an excellent route The scheme will deliver 693 homes to employment for local for affordable rent and affordable home ownership (533 affordable young people, particularly as rented homes and 160 shared the build phase will be so ownership / shared equity long. It would also be good including replacement homes for existing tenants and homeowners. to consider how the Employment opportunities will be community can be involved provided for local people as part of - perhaps with gardens the regeneration works A new mosque, community centre etc. Overall this is and retail units will be provided as very exciting!
R White

Robin Hood resident gets Swan job

We are pleased to announce that Abul Hasnath from Robin Hood Gardens has been appointed at Swan as a Community Development Officer. We look forward to working with him.

Useful numbers
Lettings
Patricia Omene 02073640212

Leaseholders
Ruki Khanum 020 7364 7799 or Andrew Western 0207 3642 536

Tower Hamlets Homes

Prosper Okunnuga 02073645127

Project Shop
020 7987 5260

Mayor drops in at Project Shop

Lutfur Rahman, the Mayor of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, paid a visit to the Robin Hood Gardens Project Shop this month. Mayor Rahman stopped by to meet residents and staff at the Shop, which has recently been refurbished by Swan Housing Association. The Mayor was shown around the place, and he asked questions about the estate model and design boards which are currently on display in the Shop. The Project Shop is resourced by staff from the London Borough of Tower Hamlets and Swan, with Officers from Lettings, Leasehold, Regeneration and Community Development. The Shop is open: 10am-2pm Monday, Tuesday & Friday 2pm-6pm Wednesday and Thursday 10am-1 pm on the first Saturday of the month Project Shop 020 7987 5260 "Blackwall Reach is one of the most exciting regeneration projects taking place in the borough. It's a big project that will bring lasting improvements to the lives of hundreds of local residents. Tackling overcrowding and increasing access to affordable housing are two of my key priorities, which I know are of the highest concern to our residents. This is why I'm pleased that residents will be involved at this design stage, ensuring that their needs are at the heart of the scheme" Mayor Rahman

A message from the TRA Chair

A multi-million pound regeneration project has opened a door of opportunity for the residents of Robin Hood Gardens. The project will offer homes for people who want to stay and opportunities for people who want to leave the estate, to move elsewhere in Tower Hamlets and, in some instances, out of the borough, where such homes are available. The project also promises a new housing association Assured Tenancy, modified to protect existing rights for those who want to remain in the area. Council tenants will have the "right to remain" in a new home, built by Swan. Tenants moving to the first new homes on the St Matthias site will be able to decant a second time if they want a new home on the main site. On top of that we are also protected from the new 80% market value rents which the government wants to bring in - this is something we have to appreciate. Owed to this regeneration project there will be multiple community facilities available for residents who choose to remain on the estate, as well as a variety of recreational activities for people of all ages. As for home owners, a straight "homeswap" to a new home has promised a good and reasonable agreement for acquiring new homes in the heart of Docklands. The TRA are currently in the process of employing an Independent Tenants & Leaseholders' Advisor (ITLA), to ensure that the residents of Robin Hood Gardens get the best deal from this regeneration project. Future TRA meetings will have the presence of the selected ITLA, to offer advice to residents on both their rights and options from this regeneration project. The next Public TRA meeting will be held on the 7th of July at 6pm, in the RHG community Hall. I hope to see everyone at the meeting.

www. black wallreach .co.uk

Working together to make a positive change