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Kingshurst and Babbs Mill RIG - Achievments

(Updated 15th June 2010)

Topics brought to the meetings by residents for discussion include areas such as housing allocation and banding, any anti social behaviour in the area, phasing plans for demolition and therefore the help provided for tenants and home owners, explanations of proposed plans for housing and green space development, particularly the types of housing to be built, and also creation of village centres, new primary schools and community facilities. These discussions can highlight the need for guest speakers to explain different process within the regeneration and also any training that might be needed so that the group's maximum potential is achieved.

Speakers who have been invited to attend the RIG to explain to the residents their role with in the regeneration program include; the Home Purchase Team, the Home Maker Team, the Housing Allocation Team to discuss the Solihull Home Options Scheme, various teams from Solihull Community Housing such as the Anti Social Behavior Team, Bellway Sales and the Primary Schools Team.

An example of how local residents and the RIG became involved in a particular part of the regeneration was to do with the naming of one of the new housing developments (made up of a mixture of social and for sale homes) in the Kingshurst area. As part of a general consultation on development proposals, local residents were asked to put forward possible names for the new development site, these names were then collated, and the RIG members met and decided on the final name. The new construction site off Ballard Walk now bears the name of Kingswood.

During 2009 the RIG were pivotal in securing new parking spaces for existing residents of Ballards Walk as part of the Kings Wood development. If it were not for the RIG's intervention a cost may have be charged for use of the spaces.

Similarly the RIG worked with SMBC to instigate the implementation of new parking restrictions along Gilson Way to improve access for residents during peak school times.

Members of the group are also starting to look forward. The group is been collating their ideas for the planned new KHBM Village Centre and when work commences on this project the RIG will be involved from the earliest stages.

As a proactive group the KHBM take every opportunity to engage with the regeneration and help NSP to provide the best possible service to the residents of North Solihull. For example representatives from the RIG attended and contributed to the NSP Community Workshop to look at the performance to date of NSP and ways to make improvements in the future.