[Dean Bank, Ferryhill] [Thornley, East Durham] [Sherburn Road Estate]

Older Housing Regeneration - Dean Bank, Ferryhill
Dean Bank is an area of Ferryhill containing over 700 mainly privately rented homes. The area comprises of densely packed terraces originally built over 100 years ago to house miners from the nearby Dean and Chapter Colliery. Some of the houses still have a slate board mounted near the front door on which the miner would chalk what shift he was on so he could be woken up at the appropriate time. Sadly the continuity of employment and social stability offered by the mining industry disappeared in 1966 when the pit closed. Following the decline of the coal mining industry in the area, the National Coal Board sold off the houses to mainly private landlords and a limited number for owner-occupiers and social landlords. The area has a strong community spirit but suffers from a variety of socio-economic problems together with poor housing and environmental conditions. Demand for housing is very fragile and the early indicators of long term housing market failure are evident. Today Three Rivers has over a hundred properties in management in Dean Bank and is working closely in partnership with local people and Sedgefield Borough Council (BC) to determine the future of the area. Three Rivers has secured special funding through the Housing Corporation to work with the local community to address issues of local concern and ensure full participation in the regeneration process. Three Rivers has worked closely with Sedgefield BC in providing a Neighbourhood Wardens Service, locally based in a Three Rivers property. The Group carried out a Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funded "Future Options Report" that examined what potential existed for the regeneration of Dean Bank. The Borough Council and Three Rivers have a strong commitment to regenerating the area and are keen to ensure local people continue to have a say in how the area may develop in the future. A typical street, Dean Bank. Tony Blair visits Dean Bank. [] Public Sector Housing Regeneration - Thornley, East Durham
Thornley is a medium sized former mining village situated in the District of Easington, County Durham. The village housing stock comprises over 50 per cent socially rented, most of which is council owned. Due to the closure of the local pit in 1970 the village began to suffer long term decline as the original purpose for the village’s existence was lost. Two estates within the village, Thornlaw North and Thornlaw South, were suffering from severe structural problems and layout deficiencies together with low demand issues. Following discussions between Three Rivers and the council, a master-planning exercise was undertaken to determine the regeneration options for the village. From an early date Three Rivers recognised the potential of the village as a commuter settlement due to its proximity to the desirable but expensive Durham City and its good location in respect of the major north/south regional transport corridors. A key consideration was to reduce the amount of social housing by clearance of substandard properties and tenure diversification by introducing private sector housing and shared ownership. Three Rivers has developed a limited number of replacement modern rented units, mainly around the Thornlaw South estate and is working in partnership with the District of Easington on developing further proposals in the village. Persimmon Homes has acquired the Thornlaw North estate with plans for clearance and private housing redevelopment. Three Rivers has accessed special Housing Corporation Funds to allow our Regeneration Officer to work with local community groups on developing complementary regeneration initiatives. The ongoing regeneration of Thornley is remarkable in that the process is taking place without substantial external funding and illustrates that by utilising the finance and expertise of the private and housing association sectors positive change can be achieved. Thornlaw North estate, Thornley prior to demolition. Thornley after undergoing regeneration. [] A Stock Transfer Success Story - Sherburn Road Estate, Durham
Sherburn Road Estate was built by the City Council in the 1930s to re-house what were described at the time as "problem families" affected by slum clearance. At that time it was obviously built as far away from the rest of the City of Durham as possible. Thus, the estate was born with a stigma that has perpetuated until very recently. The estate had mixed fortunes over the intervening years but a picture of gradual decline emerged. Following an alarming increase in derelict properties and growing social and crime problems, a tenants’ ballot was held in 1996 resulting in 223 properties being transferred from the Durham City Council to Three Rivers. Three Rivers carried out a £5m housing and environmental improvement programme complemented by a £4m SRB scheme addressing crime, employment and other social issues. The over supply of rented housing was reduced by a demolition and redevelopment programme resulting in the introduction of private sector housing on the estate and the development of a community park and resource centre. The resource centre is leased from Three Rivers and is managed by the local community as a base for economic development activity together with fulfilling an important social role. Three Rivers has established an estate office as a base for two Community Officers and is fully supportive of further ongoing economic and social regeneration measures. Today, the estate has been transformed in to a desirable place to live with no void properties, reduced unemployment and crime levels and a waiting list for properties. In recognition of our achievements at Sherburn Road, Three Rivers was nominated for a UK Housing Award in 2002. Sherburn Road estate - before. Sherburn Road estate - after undergoing regeneration. [Back to Top]