Issue 17 November 2017

Alton Area Regeneration News

Plans taking shapeThis newsletter is produced by Wandsworth Council and Redrow Homes to help keep you

informed about the regeneration of your estate

Plans for the regenerationare now available inRoehampton Library,showing the evolvingdesign proposals. A3 booklets showing the informationdisplayed at the September andOctober consultation sessions in theParish Hall, staffed by Redrow Homesconsultants and council staff arenow available to view in the library.

All feedback will be used to helpshape the plans going forward overthe next few months. You can alsoview the information online at:

www.wandsworth.gov.uk/roehampton

Architect’s impression of the view east on Harbridge Avenue

Workshop held during September in the parish hall

Architect’s impression of the view east on Danebury Avenue

www.AltonEstateRegen.co.uk/thank-you-for-attending-our-open-sessions/

The proposals are based on the2014 Alton Area Masterplan as wellas recent workshops focusing onspecific issues, such as parking;housing design; public transport;and local shops, which took place inthe parish hall last month.

A wide range of views and opinionswere raised at the workshops andexhibition drop-in sessions, such as:

• Bricks as well as a variety ofmaterials should be used toprevent the estate looking dull,though this shouldn’t necessarilymean bright primary colours

• The library service shouldcontinue while the new libraryfacility is built, which should alsoinclude space for communitygroups to meet

• Improvements for the shelteredhousing clubroom at MinsteadGardens

A phasing plan is being worked onby Redrow Homes with the councilaccounting for the needs of allcouncil tenants and owner-occupiers, to ensure where possiblethose impacted by demolition will berehoused in the development area.

This will be included within adevelopment timetable for thescheme, which is expected to beavailable in early 2018.

Overall, the regeneration is set toprovide approximately 1,000 newhomes, including newly built re-provided homes for all securecouncil tenants and owner-occupiers, more council housing,an improved park, more shops, acommunity hub and new library.

There will be further consultation inearly 2018 before the planningapplication is submitted.

Alton Area Regeneration News

A report approved by the council’sExecutive on 18 September outlinedhow ten family-sized, multi-bedroomflats can be built onto the site ofSherwood Lodge and its adjoiningresident car park by Redrow Homes,to the same high standard as thoseto be built in the regeneration area.

Subject to planning permission, thedevelopment would includemaisonettes with rear gardens. Theaccess road behind Petersfield Riseshops will be maintained as well asproviding new parking for the newhomes. Consultation will begin inNovember 2017 and will beadvertised widely.

The sheltered housing at MinsteadGardens is set to be refurbished, andconsultation is under way to discussproposals with residents. Examples ofpotential extensions to theproperties, and internal layouts, wereexhibited at Roehampton Parish Hallin September and October.

Different options of how rooms couldbe laid out were discussed recentlywith residents, all of which include anextension to increase overall floorspace from 34sqm to 50sqm.

Consultation will continue, includingwith Historic England, before anyplanning application is submitted.

First new homes updateTo enable households in later stages to move directly into their newly-built homes,Sherwood Lodge, on Bessborough Road, will be redeveloped to rehouse residents in theregeneration’s first phase.

Architect’s impression of the proposed development at Bessborough Road

Football focusOver the years Roehampton has been home to teenage footballing talent now playingfor Fulham and Cardiff City, so it was only a matter of time before the area got its ownclub for children and young people.

DARA FC is based at Focus Hall, inMinstead Gardens, and wasestablished by Jake Shepherd-Foxand Ashley Carley in 2014 afterthey had set up a team for adults afew years earlier.

Jake said: “We thought we could dosomething for the community andfor the area. We set up a trial and wehad 80 kids there, and we thoughtwe can’t fit them all in one team!”

Home games take place at the ColliersWood United football grounds, justround the corner from Putney Vale onthe A3, and minibus transport fromFocus Hall is provided by PortswoodPlace-based charity Regenerate. Theteam has gained Charter Standardstatus from the Football Association(FA), with all coaches qualified, First

Aid-trained and Criminal RecordsBureau (CRB)-checked. Training isevery Tuesday, 5-6.30pm at DoverHouse playing fields.

The team plays in the LondonCounty Saturday Youth FootballLeague, and the Epsom and EwellYouth Football League, and have sofar won an under-12s division.

Ibrahim Meite grew up inRoehampton, and signed with CardiffCity FC last year. Back in February hepaid a visit to the council’s youthcentre on Holybourne Avenue andgave a masterclass in footballing skillsto encourage the next generation ofplayers. Twin brothers Ryan andSteven Sessegnon are also from thearea, and they now play over theriver at Craven Cottage for Fulham.

Ashley said that DARA FC has onlyjust scratched the surface of thelocal talent in Roehampton and thatthey’ve had a few players take partin trials for clubs, although therehave been no signings as yet.

Jake said: “Not everyone will be aprofessional footballer - but theysee their idols who are people theyactually know, they want to bethem, and we’re here to help themstay on the right path.”

DARA FC is sponsored byRoehampton Cars, Foxtons andSons Removals, Regenerate, and theDARA Focus Hall. If you’d like to getinvolved, contact Jake on07583871386 or Ashley on07508381522.

Young Roehampton voicesSafety was the main themeof a survey conducted byyoung people from theestate during the summer.

Young people go out in the daytime,or travel in pairs or groups to feelsafe, the report by services users of

the Base youth centre, on DaneburyAvenue, stated.

Most respondents felt safe wherethey live, though alleyways andaround the library were listed asareas where they feltuncomfortable travelling in.

Asked how the regeneration wouldaffect them, responses includedtransport delays; the estate andcommunity changing; and that

Roehampton would be safer.

Among the new shops andfacilities the area’s youngerresidents would like to see were aSainsbury’s; Primark; a Judo club;and more parks.

However, they were not keen onbetting shops; Waitrose; H&M;chicken shops or chip shops.

The full report is available at the Base.

Alton Area Regeneration News

Alton Area Regeneration News

Roehamptonsuccess ingetting backto workRoehampton residents have benefittedfrom a two-month course to help improvetheir skills while looking for a job.

Roehampton residents havebenefitted from a two-monthcourse to help improve their skillswhile looking for a job.

The council’s New Routes to Worksupport programme took placeduring the past two months atRoehampton Parish Hall, and on31 August participants cametogether at a graduation ceremony.

New Routes to Work coversimproved CV writing; applicationforms; interviews; and job searches,as well as boosting confidence andmotivation. Afterwards, attendeescontinue to receive ongoing supportin finding the right job.

Verona Smith had not been inemployment for a while afterpreviously working as a retailsupervisor. Her objective was to findwork at a similar level, and afterstarting the course she was acceptedfor a supervisory role at Travelodge.

She said that she found New Routesto Work “enjoyable, very helpfuland [it] gave me the opportunity tolook at myself and learn new thingsabout myself. The support providedis amazing!”

It was the first time that the course,delivered by the council’s WorkMatch jobs brokerage, had beenheld in the Roehampton area.

Roehampton’s Alton estate is beingregenerated by the council andpartner Redrow Homes, with newhomes being built for all securetenants and owner-occupiers, aswell as more council homes forsocial rent; additional housing forsale; a new library and improvedretail; an improved park; andcommunity hub.

Cllr Ravi Govindia, Leader ofWandsworth Council, said: “InWandsworth, our approach is that asthe homes in an area are improvedthrough regeneration, the quality oflife for local people is also improved.

“Work Match has helped more than700 residents across the boroughinto employment and training, andthrough the regeneration this caninclude construction as well asdecorating, security, site officeadministration, and more.”

Work Match is based part-time atRoehampton Parish Hall - bookingis currently by appointment only,so please contact: (020) 8871 5191or email wandsworthworkmatch@wandsworth.gov.uk putting theword Roehampton in the subjectline of your email.

Verona Smith

Free debt andmoney advice inRoehamptonDo you need help withrent arrears, or debt fromHousing Benefit orCouncil Tax? Come alongto free advice sessions atthe Western Area HousingOffice, HolybourneAvenue, Alton estate.Confidential advice is available onissues such as rent arrears; moneymanagement; and debt, forexample from Council Tax; salescatalogues; loan sharks; store cardsor utility bills.

No appointment is necessary, andresidents are invited to come alongbetween 10am and 4pm on 27November; 27 December; 29January 2018; 26 February; 26March; and 30 April 2018, withmore sessions to follow.

Tenants who have used the servicehave found it very useful. ARoehampton mother (pictured, butwho did not wish to be named),had built up high rent arrears andwas unaware that help wasavailable.

She said: “This service is fantastic, Inever believed I would be able toget any benefits but, to have itbackdated to last year is un-believable. I am so grateful, I nowhave all my benefits in paymentsand have no stress of rent.”

The advice sessions are part of thecouncil’s programme of support to

help people get on in life througha range of services includingfinancial advice; youth mentoring;employment and traininginitiatives; as well as cultural andsporting opportunities.

This works in tandem withproposals by the council andpartner Redrow Homes toregenerate the Alton estate inRoehampton, with newly-builthomes for all secure council tenantsand owner-occupiers; a new libraryand retail offer; an improved park;and community hub.

You can contact the team directlyon (020) 8871 6953 or email yourenquiry to: financialinclusion@wandsworth.gov.uk

Local people of all ages arebeing asked to take part in anew sport and physical activitiesinitiative in Roehampton. Theintention of Get Out Get Activeis to establish regular exerciseand sport in community venuesacross the Roehampton area,including the Alton estate. Allsessions are aimed at completebeginners, give it a go!

Free beginners jogging group:Tuesday 5.45-6.30pm, from Café Joy, 49 Danebury Avenue,Roehampton SW15 4EN

Free lunchtime swimming(men only): Tuesday 12.30-1.30pm, Putney Leisure Centre, Dryburgh Road, Putney SW15 1BL

Back to netball (women only): Monday 8-9pm, Roehampton Sports and Fitness centre, Laverstoke Gardens SW15 4JB; £3 per session or 6 weeks for £10

For more information on any ofthe activities follow@GOGARoehampton on Twitteror like www.facebook.com/gogaroehampton

Get Out Get ActiveRoehampton!

Phone: 020 8871 6207 or email: roehampton@wandsworth.gov.uk

Alton Area Regeneration News

Designed and produced by Wandsworth Design & Print. wdp@wandsworth.gov.uk BT.2622 (10.17)

www.wandsworth.gov.uk/roehampton@AltonMasterplan Alton Estate regeneration (and ask to join)

Over 50s choir and line dancing: Come along to the MinsteadGardens sheltered housingclubroom to take part in some funactivities and make new friends.

Every Monday, 1.30-2.30pm, an over 50choir get together to sing songs from theswinging sixties – it costs £1 per session andincludes expert tuition, with tea and biscuits.No experience is necessary!

Every Thursday, line dancing classes takeplace, 10-11am for beginners, and 11-12pmfor those more experienced. Sessions cost £2.

For more information, contact Elaine Curleyor Simone Farr, at Wandsworth Council’ssheltered housing services communitydevelopment team, on 07956 248057.

WHAT’S ON:

Minstead Gardens

Join the conversation onFacebook and Twitter

For regular updates join the Alton estateregeneration group on Facebook, or follow@AltonMasterplan on Twitter.

S O C I A L M E D I A

Staff will know about local vacancies, help withwriting CVs and covering letters, applying for jobs,and preparing for interviews.

Workmatch also delivers the New Routes to Worktraining course for people low in self-confidence orlong term unemployed.

Booking is currently by appointment only, so please contact (020) 8871 5191 to do so or emailwandsworthworkmatch@wandsworth.gov.uk putting the word Roehampton in the subject line ofyour email. 

Jobs and trainingThe council’s Work Match service isavailable at Roehampton Parish Hall tohelp local people into employment.

Roehampton OutdoorArt Movement (ROAM)We are a group of local residents, businesses andschools working together to create dynamic,accessible, creative and cultural programming forRoehampton. 

We believe that the collective power of the group willhelp to make extraordinary things happen in the area.

Support us by following us here: @RoeArts or here: www.facebook.com/RoeArts

ROAM is currently looking for estate-based artists to workwith. If you live on or near to the Alton Estate andconsider yourself to be an artist or creative practitionerplease get in touch:  ROAMovement@gmail.com