This week’s announcement that the HCA is investing almost £2.5m in a vital estate regeneration project in Devon is massive news.
The Forches estate in Barnstaple is not at the front of many people’s minds when they think about the lifestyle that Devon offers.
But the area poses some very real issues of poor housing, deprivation and unemployment which exist in pockets across the county.
Better homes for Devon
The HCA investment unlocks the first phase of improvements, with 39 dated pre-cast reinforced concrete (PRC) houses replaced with 60 new affordable homes.
The investment creates construction jobs for local people as a direct result.
Given that this project was recently reported in the media as being under threat due to a lack of funds, it was good to demonstrate the agency’s commitment to Forches.
It is also pleasing to see that locals were well consulted on the proposals. Activity included input from the community project Planning for Real, who engaged hundreds of young people on the estate to seek their views on how to improve the area.
In many ways though, the hard work from a communications point of view has not even started.
Tenants of the properties which are coming down down need rehousing while improvements take place.
That requires a planned and well resourced communications and outreach programme which is wholly focused on getting the right information in the right way to tenants and making sure any issues are addressed openly.
This will not be an easy task. But partners and local residents should not be allowed to lose sight of the reason for the project, which is to deliver more and better homes and opportunities on the estate.
That is good news for people living on the Forches who have waited for improvements for some time.