Councillor Evans (Leader of the Council) introduced the item and highlighted the following points:

a)    There had been a celebration event at the Beacon Community Hub in North Prospect, where there was an exhibition of memorabilia in North Prospect and its history, as well as the regeneration process accompanied with photos of videos;

b)    The regeneration of North Prospect had had a positive effect on not only the ward, but the city as a whole;

c)    The regeneration had prompted new business and new opportunities for local people, and had seen the standard of housing improved with heating costs in particular being reduced;

d)    Thanks were given to the people of North Prospect for their resilience during the regeneration;

e)    Thanks were given to Homes England and Plymouth Community Homes.

Councillor Penberthy (Cabinet Member for Housing, Co-Operative Development and Communities) added:

f)     North Prospect, or ‘Swilly’ as it was known, was developed just after the First World War by the City Council. It was the first Garden Suburb with over 1000 family homes and was described in the paper as ‘paradise for 12 shillings a week’;

g)    Decline in the area started in the 1960s, and in 1973, the Council changed the name ‘Swilly’ to North Prospect to try and improve its image;

h)    By the time of the 2001 census, North Prospect had become a place of concentrated and persistent deprivation;

i)     During the housing stock transfer to Plymouth Community Homes in 2009, North Prospect was ranked as one of the most deprived communities in England;

j)     The estate was characterised by challenging housing conditions, with poor original build quality, structural defects, damp, and 60% of the affordable housing failing the decent homes standard;

k)    The aims of the regeneration were about more than replacing buildings. They were a whole set of actions around reducing crime, increasing education and skills and, improving employment outcomes;

l)     The vision set out included the following points:

i) That children and adults were happy and health in that community and that they knew their rights and responsibilities; 

ii) Community spirit was lively and proud;

iii) That the housing and environment was high quality, safe and clean;

iv) Crime and antisocial behaviour was not tolerated;

v) That the community could raise and fulfil their aspirations, and lead fulfilled lives and have the skills they want and need;

vi) That local services were effective, responsive and co-ordinated;

vii) That there was an improved image for the estate across the city;

m)  The evaluation was funded by PCC, Plymouth Community Homes and Homes England as this was a major project;

n)    There was to be no net loss of affordable housing which posed a challenge for Plymouth Community Homes;

o)    The regeneration was done through close partnership working, including work with Homes England (Supported by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)), and Plymouth Community Homes;

p)    PCC did what they could as a council, including passing compulsory purchase orders which did not need to be used during all five phases of the regeneration, which was an achievement;

q)    £2.2 million was made available from PCC, and PCC worked with Plymouth Community Homes to secure a further £2.3 million from MHCLG to ensure phase four could happen. Furthermore, PCC worked with Plymouth Community Homes to secure £28,510,798 from Homes England.

Jonathan Cowie (Chief Executive, Plymouth Community Homes added:

r)    Thanked Councillor Evans (Leader of the Council) and Cabinet Members for their vision 25 years ago;

s)     The regeneration was the largest in the South West at this scale, going from 800 to 1100 new homes, with 300 being fully furnished;

t)     70% of residents who had moved away had returned to North Prospect;

u)    Since the regeneration there had been a 76% drop in public order offences, and an overall 59% drop in total crime;

v)    There had been a 28% increase away from low incomes and a drop in overall unemployment of 1.3%;

w)   95% of residents said they feel safe in their new home and community;

x)    There was a 10% increase in young people achieving level four and above;

y)    There was a 17% reduction in premature deaths below the age of 75.

Councillor Evans (Leader of the Council) added:

z)    Jack Dromey (Former Member of Parliament) visited North Prospect Road to see the new homes, and spoke to a resident who informed him that before she was living in South North Prospect Road in an old, damp and distressed property and therefore was the children were often too ill to go to school due to lung problems. In the new home she now had a desk, and the children were attending school and doing well.

Cabinet agreed to note the report.