you’ve got the
power
Building communities e v i t i s o p h g u o r h t change
Your vote, your choice Voting guide
‘You’ve got the Power’ is a great way for YHN customers to get involved in making decisions about how we spend money. This time, ‘You’ve got the Power – building communities through positive change’ is all about making environmental improvements to your estates – to make the place you live nicer and sustainable now and in the future. In this guide you will find a number of projects that have all been suggested by YHN customers and staff. There are projects covering all areas of the city and range from creating more parking spaces to communal gardens, to a complete remodelling of an estate. Sadly we can’t fund every project so this is where you come in. We want you to look through each of the projects (which are colour coded depending on their cost) and choose your top 5 from each category. Whether you know the area or not, we want you to think about and vote for the projects that you think will make the biggest difference to customers. So we want your favourite 5 projects from the red category, your favourite 5 projects from the blue and your favourite 5 projects from the green category. Once you have chosen your top 5 projects from each category, fill in the voting form at the back of this guide and send it back to us using the freepost address. You can also email your choices to investment@yhn.org.uk If you have any questions about any of the projects or about You’ve got the Power, you can call us on 0191 278 3842. Happy voting! 2
Colour coded categories Each project will be colour coded to help you identify at a glance the level of investment needed using these 3 categories:
Low
Medium
High
£0 £9,000
£10,000 £49,000
£50,000+
The following pages show projects 1 to 14, which are all in the ‘high’ category
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Project 1 Where: Pendower Estate What:
Create driveways and put up new fencing on the estate
Why:
New fencing will improve the look of the area and creating driveways will result in cars not parking on the streets
Project 2 Where: Two Ball Lonnen Estate What:
Replace hedging in the front gardens with fencing
Why:
The hedges are all damaged so new fencing will make gardens and the whole street look much nicer and tidier
Project 3 Where: Central Walker What: Create driveways and put up fencing for residents Why:
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It will make a vast improvement to residents. Cars wouldn’t be parked on the street and residents would be able to look after their own gardens
Project 4 Where: Throckley Northside Estate What: Create driveways for residents by removing the existing grass verges Why:
This would improve the look of the estate, save on maintenance costs and allow easier access for emergency vehicles
Project 5 Where: Byker Old Town Estate, Off Welbeck Road, Walker What:
Remove old hedges and fencing and replace with new parking areas and fencing
Why:
It would improve the appearance of the estate and provide a safer environment for residents
Project 6 Where: Westerhope Estate What:
New fencing and driveways in front of houses and bungalows
Why:
It would improve the appearance of the estate and reduce maintenance costs for the fences
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Project 7 Where: Pottery Bank, Walker What:
Renew more of the fencing on the estate
Why:
Parts of the estate have been improved and it has made a huge difference to residents. Doing more of the work would continue to improve the whole area
Project 8 Where: Central Walker What:
Install gates and railings to match other estates in the area
Why:
It will look smart and improve the appearance of the area. It will also encourage residents to take pride in their estate
Project 9 Where: High Heaton
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What:
Create driveways and fencing to address the parking problems
Why:
It will reduce current parking problems in the area and create a more practical solution
Project 10 Where: Montagu Estate, Kenton What:
Create parking areas by removing grassed verges
Why:
Cars currently have to park on the grass verges which spoils the appearance of the estate and costs money to maintain. This would improve parking areas and improve the estate
Project 11 Where: Etal Lane, Westerhope What:
Increase the amount of parking to provide more space for residents
Why:
There aren’t enough spaces for residents which makes it difficult to park your car
Project 12 Where: Etal Park Estate What:
Replace the old fencing on the estate with new fencing
Why:
The current fencing is over 30 years old and new fencing would improve the appearance of the estate
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Project 13 Where: Kenton Bar Estate What:
Create more parking areas
Why:
Cars currently park on the grassed area and it ruins the appearance of the estate and costs money to maintain. This would improve the estate for residents
Project 14 Where: Trevelyan Drive, Newbiggin Hall
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What:
Replace some of the grassed verges on the estate with parking bays
Why:
Double yellow lines on Trevelyan Drive make parking really difficult for residents. Having parking bays would address the problem and would reduce maintenance costs of the grassed verge
The following pages show projects 15 to 36, which are all in the ‘medium’ category
Project 15 Where: Throckley Central What:
Improve the parking on the estate by creating parking bays
Why:
Residents currently have to park on the grass and churn up the mud. This will improve the parking for residents
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Project 16 Where: Gibson Street, Shieldfield What:
Create parking bays for residents and improve parking access on the estate
Why:
This will make a more orderly estate. It will stop the destruction of grassed verges and would stop cars parking on access roads
Project 17 Where: Reestones Place, Kenton What:
Remove the communal entrance doors and replace the cages with mesh or railings
Why:
The communal area will improve which is important as this is the first impression that new tenants get. It will also make the area safer for local children
Project 18 Where: Vale House, Heaton
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What:
Create additional parking spaces for residents
Why:
Parking is difficult for residents as there is minimal space. This is particularly difficult for residents with blue badges
Project 19 Where: Bowfell Avenue, Kenton What:
Improve parking facilities by removing the grassed verges
Why:
The grassed verges are a mess because they are churned up by cars. This would improve the look of the area and make it a nicer place to live
Project 20 Where: Queens Court, Barrack Road, Leazes What:
Provide fencing between gardens of the ground floor properties
Why:
This would prevent dog fouling on the grass and encourage residents to look after their own garden
Project 21 Where: Englefield Close, Kingston Park What:
Create car parking area for residents
Why:
Cars are damaging the grassed areas and it is spoiling the appearance of the estate
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Project 22 Where: Walker Park Close, Walker What:
Repair existing fencing and paths on the estate
Why:
This will improve the appearance of the estate and improve health and safety for residents
Project 23 Where: Gibson Street, Shieldfield What:
Provide fencing and gates to the ground floor properties on Gibson Street and surrounding areas
Why:
This would improve the appearance of the estate and give residents their own garden areas which they could maintain
Project 24 Where: Kirkston Avenue, Lemington
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What:
Create parking bays on Kirkston Avenue
Why:
This is a busy bus route and residents are having to park their cars opposite each other which is a danger. This will improve health and safety and improve the appearance of the estate
Project 25 Where: Cochrane Court, Benwell What:
Replace existing fencing with higher fencing at the back of Cochrane Court
Why:
This would mean all of the fences would be the same size and it would increase the privacy and security of residents
Project 26 Where: St Oswald’s Green, Walker What:
Resurfacing the ground at the garage site
Why:
It is a rough, unfinished surface and the old fencing is unsightly for residents
Project 27 Where: Hedgeley Road, West Denton What:
Create additional parking by converting existing grassed area at the front of the bungalows
Why:
This would reduce the number of cars on the street and would make a busy area safer
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Project 28 Where: Yelverton Crescent, St Anthony’s What:
Provide an allotment on the area next to the Community Centre
Why:
This would encourage the local community to work together by growing herbs and vegetables. Local residents would develop skills and it would promote health and wellbeing
Project 29 Where: Addison Grafton Estate What:
Remove existing walls and fences and replace with new metal fences between the properties
Why:
This would provide individual gardens for residents and improve the overall look of the area
Project 30 Where: Leazes Court, Leazes
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What:
Create a communal garden including benches and planters
Why:
This will create a nice place for residents to go and it will help to bring people together
Project 31 Where: Heaton Park Court, High Heaton What:
Create a community garden at Heaton Park Court including floral displays
Why:
This will improve the look of the estate and will encourage community spirit
Project 32 Where: Welbeck Green, Walker What:
Create additional car parking spaces on the opposite side of Welbeck Green
Why:
This would improve parking for residents and visitors and would make it easier for emergency services to get access to the bungalows
Project 33 Where: The Sycamores, Riverside Dene What:
Create a community garden including planters and benches
Why:
This would help to build a sense of community and bring local residents together. The produce from the garden could provide food for tenants who are in need
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Project 34 Where: Beaumont House, Blakelaw What:
Install fencing with access gates for pedestrians and grass cutting machinery around Beaumont House
Why:
This would provide defensible space for residents in the block and help with the maintenance of the grassed area
Project 35 Where: West Denton Estate What:
Resurfacing areas of the ‘F’ roads and plant new trees on the estate
Why:
This would improve the appearance of the area and help reduce maintenance costs
Project 36 Where: West Denton Estate
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What:
Renew main pathway to the shopping centre and install bulbs along the route
Why:
The condition of the path has deteriorated over recent years and is in desperate need of renewal
The following pages show projects 37 to 53, which are all in the ‘low’ category
Project 37 Where: Mount Pleasant Court, Throckley What:
Replace existing fencing around Mount Pleasant Court with new decorative fencing
Why:
This will improve the appearance of the estate, prevent dog fouling and provide residents with their own garden space
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Project 38 Where: Wansbeck Road, Gosforth What:
Install fencing and gates around the flats on Wansbeck Road
Why:
Anti-social behaviour is a problem. High fencing would help stop this and would improve the appearance of the estate
Project 39 Where: Elm Avenue/Pine Avenue, Dinnington What:
Create paved stepping stones on the grassed communal drying area
Why:
Residents are at risk of tripping and slipping when accessing the washing lines. Stepping stones would improve health and safety and make access much easier
Project 40 Where: Moorland House, Blakelaw
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What:
Install new benches outside the block of flats
Why:
Residents can sit outside together and promote a better community spirit
Project 41 Where: Harehills Tower, Kenton What:
Remove the raised flower bed and replace with grass or a paved area
Why:
This would create a more useable space for residents and improve the appearance of the block
Project 42 Where: Silver Lonnen, Fenham What:
Install fencing at the back of the properties on Silver Lonnen
Why:
This will increase privacy and security for residents and reduce dog fouling
Project 43 Where: Anson Place, Newbiggin Hall What:
Create a communal garden on Anson Place
Why:
Residents don’t have gardens so this will improve the appearance of the estate and help residents get to know each other
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Project 44 Where: Whitbeck Road/Tebay Drive, Denton What:
Provide gates and railings between the blocks
Why:
Motorbikes use this alleyway and it is a risk for residents. Gates would stop this and reduce the danger for residents
Project 45 Where: Adelaide House, Benwell What:
Install fencing around the green area at Adelaide House
Why:
The garden will be kept nice and tidy for residents to enjoy and look after
Project 46 Where: Coronation Cottages, Gosforth
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What:
Install higher fencing around the back of Coronation Cottages
Why:
Kids can climb over the fence and it is damaging the plants. This would also improve the security and privacy for residents
Project 47 Where: Breamish House, Shieldfield What:
Remove the grassed areas at the front of the block and replace with paving
Why:
The area is an eyesore and this would improve the overall look of the area
Project 48 Where: Hazeldene Avenue, Kenton What:
Install fencing along the edge of the grassed area on Hazeldene Avenue
Why:
The fencing would improve the overall look of the area and would stop cars parking on the grassed verges
Project 49 Where: The Retreat, Newburn What:
Improve the external lighting on and around The Retreat
Why:
This would reduce the risk of accidents for a lot of the older residents who live at The Retreat
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Project 50 Where: Wyndley House, Kenton What:
Install metal handrails to the front of Wyndley House
Why:
Older residents have had accidents on windy days because there are no handrails. This would improve resident safety
Project 51 Where: Entrance of West Denton Way, West Denton What:
Create a wild flower meadow within the boundary and around Northumbria Walk, Hilltop House and West Denton Way
Why:
This will improve the overall appearance of the area and help residents engage with their neighbours and YHN staff. Children and residents can also help with the planting
Project 52 Where: Gorse Hill Way, Blakelaw
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What:
Install bollards on the area around Gorse Hill Way
Why:
This will stop motorbikes riding dangerously and make life less stressful for residents
Project 53 Where: Deneside, Denton What:
Provide seating on the grassed area at the front of Deneside
Why:
Benches would be used by residents and would improve the appearance of the area
Please choose your top 5 from each of the 3 categories. So we want 5 ‘high’, 5 ‘medium’ and 5 ‘low’. Once you have chosen your top 5 projects from each category, fill in the voting form on the next page and send it back to us using the freepost address. You can also email your choices to investment@yhn.org.uk
Notes:
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Voting form Please choose your top 5 projects from each category by ticking the appropriate boxes below. You must vote for 5 projects in each category for your vote to count.
Projects 1-14
High
Project 1
Project 4
Project 7
Project 10
Project 13
Project 2
Project 5
Project 8
Project 11
Project 14
Project 3
Project 6
Project 9
Project 12
Projects 15-36
Medium
Project 15
Project 20
Project 25
Project 30
Project 35
Project 16
Project 21
Project 26
Project 31
Project 36
Project 17
Project 22
Project 27
Project 32
Project 18
Project 23
Project 28
Project 33
Project 19
Project 24
Project 29
Project 34
Projects 37-53
Low
Project 37
Project 41
Project 45
Project 49
Project 38
Project 42
Project 46
Project 50
Project 39
Project 43
Project 47
Project 51
Project 40
Project 44
Project 48
Project 52
Project 53
Name: Address: Postcode: Tel:
Email:
Please send your voting form freepost to: Investment Delivery, Your Homes Newcastle, FREEPOST NAT22311, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE7 7LX. Or you can email it to investment@yhn.org.uk The closing date for completed forms is Friday 2 August, 2013. Thank you.