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Stockbridge Regeneration

JULY 2009

Stockbridge Village Residents have given the "thumbs up" to proposals for the redevelopment of the area, as part of a multi-million pound project. Almost 150 residents attended an event held by Knowsley Council, in November 2008, to get a first glimpse of how the new village centre might look and what new facilities are planned. They were then given the opportunity to provide their comments and feedback.

The response was overwhelmingly positive with 94% of people asked stating that the improvements outlined will add things to the area that it needs and make Stockbridge Village a better place to live.

Cllr Bill Weightman said, "We are really pleased by the response we have had from local people and delighted to see so many residents excited about the future of their area. Developing Stockbridge Village, both physically and socially, is a priority for Knowsley Council and its partners, and this positive feedback from residents gives us the mandate we need to forge ahead with making real improvements to the area."

This latest consultation follows an event held in March 2007 when residents were asked what they wanted to see from a new and improved Stockbridge Village. Residents' comments and views were collated and a number of specific needs and wants identified. The Stockbridge Village Regeneration Project Board was then established and a multi-million pound proposal developed to fulfil the needs of the community.

Knowsley Council have proposed:

• A real centre for the village;
• A brand new swimming pool;
• A new gym and sports hall;
• A new hub building with library, cafe and community space;
• New multi-use games area and pitches;
• A new primary school with children's centre and nursery;
• An improved retail offer;
• A new outdoor play area;
• Well lit and well connected centre;
• Open and inviting building layout; and
• New sporting activities for young people in the gym, sports hall and all-weather pitches.

THE RESULTS

94% of residents agree the plans will make Stockbridge Village a better place to live.

94% of residents think the plans will add things to the area that it needs.

96% of residents are looking forward to work getting underway.

3 out of 4 people agree that the plans meet their expectations.

It is hoped that work on this project will start sometime in 2009.

OCTOBER 2009

As you will all remember, Knowsley Council shared initial plans for the regeneration of Stockbridge Village with residents at the end of last year. Since then, the Council has been working with our partners to develop these plans and secure the funding needed to make meaningful and significant changes to the area.

Cllr Bill Weightman commented "Delivering a project of this size in the current economic climate is an ambitious challenge for the Council and its partners. However, this project has the potential to transform Stockbridge Village and, for that reason, we are grasping this opportunity and working hard to ensure we deliver the improvements that the community wants and deserves."

The large-scale plans to regenerate Stockbridge Village include the provision of a new swimming pool and leisure facilities, neighbourhood centre, library, primary school with family centre and nursery, outdoor play area, all-weather pitches, improved retail facility and a well lit and connected centre for the village. Work will commence on site this autumn, with a view to all facilities being open by September 2011.

Residents will be kept informed throughout the development process with regular newsletters, updates in Our Times and Knowsley News, information on Knowsley Council's website www.knowsley.gov.uk and community consultation events. In addition, regular updates and information will be fed through to Community Association and Stockbridge Network meetings.

MARCH 2010

As you will be aware, Knowsley Council and partners, including Villages Housing, are committed to a £25 million regeneration programme of Stockbridge Village for the benefit of residents, both now and in the future. As part of this, Heatwaves closed in January and demolition of the building commenced in early March. Once demolished, the site will make way for a brand new school, scheduled to open in September 2011.

You may have attended one of the consultation and exhibition events, accessed the improved Knowsley Works facilities or spotted one of Stockbridge Village's Police Community Support Officers out and about in the area. Most recently you will have seen work commence on site to demolish Heatwaves, and also to create a new play area.

Heatwaves Demolition

The demolition of Heatwaves is taking place between 8.00 am - 4.30 pm, Monday to Friday, and is due to be complete in May 2010. This is essential preparation work for the redevelopment of the central area. Knowsley Council is working with the contractor, J Freely Ltd, to ensure disruption is kept to a minimum.

If you require any further information regarding the demolition, please contact Ian Lynch at Knowsley Council on 0151 443 3081.

Play Path Finder

You may have seen work on site to create new state-of-the-art play facilities right in the heart of the village centre. The new Play Pathfinder project will be open to the public by the end of March and provide a range of facilities specially designed for young people aged 8 to 13 years old.

The new facilities will include a 13-metre tower with two slides, climbing frame, two large swings and landscaping features including earth mounds, natural boulders and wildflower planting.

Younger members of the community will also be catered for with a special play area that includes a climbing frame, seesaw and sand digger.

The design of the new play facilities follows detailed consultation with local children, school visits and specially organised play sessions.

The Play Pathfinder project is part of a wider initiative to improve the physical appearance of the area, enhance facilities available and improve everyday life for residents.

MARCH 2010 (Continued)

Residents of Stockbridge Village attended an exhibition event on Tuesday 16th March that showcased new images of the major regeneration project that is set to the village centre.

The multi-million pound plans include the creation of a new swimming pool, state of the art gym and leisure facilities, a learning resource centre, primary school, children's centre and family centre, outdoor play facilities, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a supermarket. In addition, there are plans for enhanced bus facilities and work is already underway to extend the health centre.

The exhibition event, organised by Knowsley Council, was well attended by the community, both young and old, who came along to take their own glimpse into the future for their area.

Stockbridge ward Councillor Bill Weightman commented:

"It's been a really exciting and positive event and it was a great opportunity for the community to come together and view the plans, new images and scale model.

"It's often hard for people to really visualise what the completed development will look like and the impact it will have on their area. We hope this event has helped with that and given the community a real feel for how this project will improve the village centre."

The exhibition included a scale model, plan and moving imagery of the new village centre. In addition, artist's impressions were on display to give people an idea of how the new buildings and public space will look.

Those attending were able to meet with the people involved in making this project happen, including the architects and representatives from the council and partner organisations including the Police, Knowsley Works and Villages Housing. They were also given the opportunity to provide any additional feedback or comments they may have on the plans.

Nick Kavanagh, Executive Director for Regeneration, Economy & Skills is leading the project, he commented:

"The feedback from residents has been great and there is real enthusiasm and excitement in the area to see these plans come to life. The support from the community from day one has been fantastic and local people have played such an important role in shaping these plans."

Work has already begun to create the new Play Pathfinder facilities, clear the former Heatwaves site and extend the health centre in Stockbridge Village. This work will continue and regular updates provided to the community and via this website.

JULY 2010

The project to regenerate Stockbridge Village Centre and provide new facilities for residents is continuing to progress well.

The council has now officially appointed a contractor - Morgan Sindall - to complete this project and already the proposals are beginning to take shape. The demolition of Heatwaves is now complete and the new Play Pathfinder facilities are already being well used by local young people. In the coming months work will continue on the extension to the health centre and to prepare the wider site for the new primary school, neighbourhood centre and other facilities to be built.

Cllr Bill Weightman from Knowsley Council commented:

"It's a really exciting time for the residents in Stockbridge Village. After months of hard work and planning, this project is now really beginning to take shape and hopefully people will be able to start seeing the progress for themselves.

The council's work to improve the physical appearance and facilities available in the area is only one part of a wider initiative with Villages Housing and other partners to make real improvements to Stockbridge Village, for the benefit of the community both now and in the future."

Updates on the project will be provided regularly through this website, the Villages newsletter, Our Times, and via the council's Knowsley News magazine.