The Borough Council has allocated £1.8 million to undertake environmental renewal schemes over a four year period, and a further £1.3 million has been allocated between 2008/09 and 2010/11. Areas already tackled include central Buckskin, South Ham extension, Osborne Close, the area around the northern part of Norn Hill, the Normanton Road area of Oakridge and the Jersey Close and Guernsey Close area of Popley.
The types of schemes that can be considered when undertaking environmental renewal are as follows:
- enhancing neglected areas by for example replacing fencing, benches and bins and by tidying up overgrown plant beds;
- improving the layout of footpaths and removing inappropriate steps;
- removing isolated grass and planted areas and possibly turning some into small areas of off-road parking;
- reducing nuisance issues such as ball game playing and blocking of problem rear alleys;
- upgrading of open space and youth facilities;
- providing community maintained gardens;
- providing new link paths and infill lighting where needed; and
- other similar types of scheme that are considered a priority by the residents in a particular neighbourhood.
Before and after pictures showing a community garden created in the Popley 'Poets' area:
As part of this major initiative, the Council has set aside a smaller budget to tackle more urgent issues anywhere in the borough and anyone can apply for this funding. (It would be beneficial for you to discuss any potential scheme with your local Ward Councillor and your local residents’ association or similar group). In order to qualify, the following conditions would need to be met:
- schemes would need to deal with nuisance issues that affect the quality of life of residents; and
- schemes would need to improve the quality of a local environment which is in need of renewal.
For further information contact: Paul Johnston, Principal Landscape Architect on 01256 845763 or paul.johnston@basingstoke.gov.uk