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| How can you build around 390 houses on the space occupied by 180? | |
The simple answer is we won’t be. The proposal is to build a combination of houses and apartments, including ExtraCare housing for the elderly, on a bigger area of land. It will be top quality, modern housing with a mix of homes for sale, and affordable homes - both rented and shared ownership (part buy, part rent). Houses will have private gardens and apartments will have private shared gardens. The land at the junction of Long Lane and Victory Close already has planning permission for houses. |
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| What are the benefits of the redevelopment? | |
The housing will be modern and top quality, encompassing all the features you would expect in a home built for the 21st century. All housing will meet the current building regulations and come with a National House Builders Council (NHBC) guarantee. It will have state of the art heating and sound insulation. Whilst it is obviously our intention to provide replacement accommodation for all existing tenants, we expect much of the additional housing will be for private sale. This will move the tenure mix in the area more into line with the average for the Borough. |
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| My family has special / disabled needs? Will the new designs accommodate them? | |
Yes, we would work with you to ensure your home suited your requirements. |
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| What design will the houses be? | |
There will be mixed housing in small clusters; for example flats, semi detached houses and short rows of terraced houses. In some areas there will also be town houses. |
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| Why can’t my home be upgraded? | |
As you know, your housing was created in the 1950’s, and designed to have a relatively short life. Although we have continued to maintain the properties, Government regulations have changed for rented housing. These are difficult to achieve with the current housing – for example insulation. Lots of options have been explored, but we believe it is better for everybody to provide new homes, built to last, and right for the 21st century. |
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| What Government regulations? | |
The Government introduced the ‘Decent Homes’ regulations whereby all councils and housing associations have been challenged to meet the decent homes standard by 2010. A decent home has to be warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities. |
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| Who is going to live in the area? | |
Current residents, people on Spelthorne’s waiting list and local people wanting to get a foot on the property ladder. Our aim, in partnership with Spelthorne Council, is to build new homes form local people. Therefore we expect most of the affordable housing to be filled with existing A2Dominion tenants. Many of the new properties will be for sale and we hope they will be priced at levels that will allow local first time buyers to remain in the area. |
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| How much green space will be available? | |
| The open space will be redistributed throughout the new development to form a large open space and a series of smaller community and pocket parks for everyone to use. Together with residents’ focus groups we shall work out the best places for the open spaces and what equipment should be included so they are well used, safe and enjoyed by the whole family. | |
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| Who will decide what goes on open spaces? | |
Local residents will be given the opportunity to participate in a consultation exercise regarding the development of the open space. It is suggested that there will be a mixture of facilities to cater for all age groups. We hope to set up a working group of local residents to look in details of the design and layout of those areas and how they are managed. |
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| I am currently a homeowner, what are my options? | |
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| Will you force me out of my home? | |
| No, nobody will force you out of your home. If you are definite you do not want to sell or move to a new home, then we will look at ways of including your home into the development. | |
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| How much will my home be worth? | |
| This depends on how much it is valued at by the independent valuer using the RICS valuation. | |
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| How do we agree on the price? | |
| An independent valuation expert will assess the market value of your home, including any renovations / building work that has been done to the property. A2Dominion will pay for the cost of this valuation. Alternatively, you can organise a valuation yourself, as long as it is RICS accredited. | |
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| Will you cover my costs of selling? | |
| Yes. There are Government guidelines for compensation payments for people who need to move. These payments will cover the direct and indirect costs of moving. | |
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| If I move away from the area, will you pay moving expenses? | |
| Yes. There are Government guidelines for compensation payments for people who need to move. These payments will cover the direct and indirect costs of moving. | |
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| If I stay in the area, what property will I end up with? | |
| Your new home will be the same type and size as your current home, unless you specifically want to change. The site of your new home will be agreed in discussion with A2Dominion. | |
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| Can I have a new home built on my current site? | |
| Yes, But it will mean you have to move out before your new home is built. | |
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| Can my neighbours and I move together? | |
| Yes, we will do our utmost to accommodate any request of this kind. | |
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| Will I have enough money to buy a new property without increasing my mortgage? | |
| As long as you move into a property of the same size, A2Dominion will ensure that you will not need a bigger mortgage than you currently have. | |
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| Can I release equity in my property? | |
We are happy to talk to you about options of sale and leaseback, or trading down to a smaller property and releasing equity if that suits your circumstances. |
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| When will I have to move? | |
The re-development will be completed in phases. So it will depend on which phase of the development you are included in. On any occasion residents will be given plenty of notice, and we will endeavour to only move you once. |
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| What size will the new property be? | |
| The same size as your current home, unless you want to trade up or down. | |
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| How will you compensate me for the improvements I have made to my home? | |
An independent valuation expert will assess the market value of your home, including any renovations / building work that has been done to the property. |
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| My garden is well established – how will you get round that? | |
| My garden is large – the new ones are smaller, how do you propose to compensate me for that? | |
All gardens will be landscaped. When you have your discussion with A2Dominion your specific requirements will be noted. There will be some plots with a larger garden and it is possible that one of these may suit your needs.
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| Will I be overlooked by neighbours? | |
Maximum privacy will be considered and we will try and accommodate people’s preferences, and some locations will be more private than others.
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| When does the redevelopment start? | |
| If the redevelopment goes ahead, we shall be drawing plans and seeking approval throughout 2007. We hope to start building in 2008. | |
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| When will I have to move? | |
| The building will be phased and it is our intention to move residents straight into their new homes, wherever possible. If you do have to move into a temporary home, we shall work closely with you to meet your individual needs. | |
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| Where will I be moved to if I have to move to a temporary address? | |
| We will work closely with you to meet your needs. | |
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| Will I have help with moving – financial, practical and organisation? | |
| Yes, residents are entitled to at least the Government compensation payment which currently stands at £4,000. This is reviewed annually in September. A2Dominion will also provide assistance with removals etc – exact requirements will be noted during detailed discussions. | |
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| What size will my new home be? Can I trade up / down? | |
| A2Dominion have assumed that you will have the same size home as you do now. You can trade up or down. The Resident Team will discuss your individual requirements with you. | |
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| Will my rent change? | |
| Provided you move into the same size home, your rent structure will remain the same. | |
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| I have a house – will I still have a house? | |
| Yes, A2Dominion will provide a brand new home that is the same type and size as the one in which you currently live. (In most cases the gardens will be smaller.) You will be able influence the design of your new home and choose colour schemes, tiling and so on in the bathroom and kitchen. If you want to move to an apartment, it will be possible. |
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| Will my rights be protected? | |
Yes.
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| Will I be compensated for the disruption? | |
| The Government sets statutory compensation sums to cover the disturbance, A2Dominion would abide by these requirements. | |
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| Why do we need a new health centre? | |
| The current health centre can not cope with the current health needs and demands of local residents. It is therefore proposed that the new centre will be able to meet these needs. There will be enough facilities to house 8/9 doctors, and link with other health services and community facilities. | |
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| Why rebuild a day centre when the existing one is being closed? | |
| We are not rebuilding a day centre. The health centre redevelopment will be located where the current day centre is. There will be some day centre services relocated to other parts of Stanwell. For example there will be a social centre at Lord Knyvett's hall 3 days a week from January. There will be a community café available at the new health centre once built. | |
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| What is a skills centre? What skills will be catered for? | |
| The centre will provide training in essential skills such as bricklaying and carpentry. | |
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| Who will benefit from the Skills Centre? | |
Among those to benefit from this facility will be young people from Spelthorne Schools, particularly those who need extra support and motivation and who will benefit from a practical extension to their curriculum. |
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| What additional community facilities will be included? | |
| The Council is working with the Primary Care Trust to build a new, purpose-built health centre. This will include a library run by Surrey County Council and a community café. The PCT is investigating the possibility of a children’s centre, which as been identified as a priority for Stanwell. The building could include early years’ care; an after school club and an information centre. |
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| Last updated 2 October, 2008 | |
Information Hotline 0845 408 6780
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www.stanwellnewstart.co.uk |