Decision details

To agree the St Raphael’s Estate Infill and Design proposal costs.

Cabinet NOTED the comments made by Asif Zamir (Chair of St Raphs Voice) who had requested to speak on the item.  In addressing Cabinet, Mr Zamir outlined the important role of St Raphs Voice in representing the local community on the estate and disappointment felt at the fact full redevelopment was (at this current stage) no longer available as an option for residents to support.

Whilst understanding the reasons why delivery of the redevelopment masterplan was not currently considered to be financially viable, Mr Zamir highlighted concerns to ensure that the infill plus masterplan continued to be progressed on the basis of a community led approach in order to deliver the priorities and immediate improvements identified by residents on the estate along with the significant investment that would be required.  Alongside the design and delivery of new homes other priorities identified had included improvements to the care and maintenance of the estate, community and green spaces, public realm, waste management, traffic and parking, which residents were keen to ensure were progressed in order to improve the quality of life for all those living on the estate.

In responding to the comments, Councillor Southwood (as Lead Member for Housing & Welfare Reform), began by thanking Mr Zamir for addressing the meeting in order to highlight residents views and for the supportive and constructive way in which St Raphs Voice had continued to work and challenge the Council in order to provide confidence for residents in the process.  Whilst recognising the disappointment felt by residents that it would not be possible to offer the choice between full redevelopment and infill plus as options, an assurance was provided that the approach towards development of infill “plus” would continue to be community led and focussed on providing meaningful investment to secure real and tangible change for residents, which would also include the consideration of wider objectives such as health and economic recovery.  It was also confirmed, in response to the request from St Raphs Voice, that the approach being recommended to Cabinet would not prevent the option of full redevelopment being revisited, should circumstances in terms of the financial viability of the scheme alter at any stage in the future.

Having noted the response provided, Councillor M Butt (Leader of the Council) ended by welcoming the comments made by Mr Zamir on behalf of St Raphs Voice and Cabinet RESOLVED:

 (1)    To confirm its continued commitment to improving the lived experience on St Raphael’s through an ‘infill plus’ approach to the delivery of new Council homes.  This to include the delivery of resident priorities for green space and play space, streets and safety, community amenities, connectivity, health and employment.

(2)     To approve the allocation of £2.35m to enable commencement of the design of the Infill Masterplan, design of the wider estate improvements and the purchase and installation of a temporary community / project building, as described at paragraph 5 of the report.

(3)     To note the Resident’s Charter developed by St Raphael’s Voice, the content of which informed planning for the Infill Masterplan and to acknowledge the role and commitment of St Raphs Voice, the Resident Board on St Raphael’s, in the Future St Raphael’s project, to date and in the future.