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July 27th 2007
CHANGING THE FACE OF SUNDERLAND

A North East housing association has taken another giant step forward in its plans to help regenerate a local community within Sunderland.

Three Rivers Housing Group based in Durham, has began the development of 20 new affordable homes which will include a mixture of properties for rent and shared ownership to help people to get onto the property ladder.

The scheme at Florida Street in Pallion Park sees a further expansion to an existing Three Rivers development of 50 homes for rent making 70 homes in total.

The group received grant funding from the Housing Corporation to develop 12 two bedroom flats and two three bedroom houses for rent and six three bedroom homes which will form part of the shared ownership scheme where people can buy a part share in their home.

Each home will meet all Housing Corporation standards and will be constructed using eco friendly timber frames.

Craig Downs, Marketing & PR Manager at Three Rivers explains: “The project that Three Rivers are undertaking in Pallion Park is more than simply a housing scheme, it’s about helping to regenerate a local community and provide on going support.

“Our officers are working in partnership with residents, community groups and the Police to help sustain the local community.  We have been working on a number of initiatives over the last couple of years by investing and supporting community projects, enhancing the local environment and talking to residents to find out what their priorities and aspirations are.”

In one scheme, Gareth Heslington, Community Development Officer and Graeme Richardson, Customer Services Officer both from Three Rivers helped to form a Pallion Park residents group. 

Residents signed an agreement called ‘Living Together’ which is aimed at encouraging them to take an interest in making their estate a clean, peaceful and safe place to live and giving them a greater say in how the community is run.

This will provide them with detailed information on the range and standard of services provided by Three Rivers relating to repairs, maintenance and other services including our approach to tackling and preventing anti-social behaviour. 

Tom Donaghy, Three Rivers resident and Chair of the residents group has lived in Pallion Park for ten years, he said: “Improvements have been made over the last few years and I am confident that the new development will improve it further. 

“I think it is important that residents have a voice in how their communities are run and we have lots of plans to help develop Pallion Park into a thriving community. We have recently secured funding which will help us achieve this.”

Earlier this year, the residents group received a cheque for £600 from the Tyne & Wear Community Federation and has just recently £500 from the Sunderland City Council’s Community Chest. 

Through Three Rivers’ multi-agency approach and commitment to help deliver the Governments’ Respect Agenda, Three Rivers have helped to form the ‘Millfield Action Youth Group’ to combat anti-social behaviour caused by local youths and is supported by various service providers including the Police and local residents. 

Damian Wilkinson, Neighbourhood Services Manager at Three Rivers said, “Pallion has had its problems in the past particularly with issues of anti-social behaviour.  It is encouraging to see residents and the organisation working together to help improve the area and capitalise on the great work that has already been achieved. 

“Three Rivers is providing the extra resources needed to introduce new initiatives and ideas which demonstrates that we are not just about bricks and mortar, our ethos is about working with local communities by helping to create and sustain them.  The work we are undertaking in and around Pallion will undoubtedly lay the foundations for future generations.”

The association bought the land next to Westmoor Engineering, part of the Armitage Engineering Group in April 2005 after the company closed down and work began onsite in March 2007 by construction company Mansell.

It is scheduled to be completed in Feb/Mar 2008 but a show house for shared ownership will be available in October 2007 and prices will start from £140,000 for a three bedroom house.

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