RENEW North Staffordshire is undertaking a detailed regeneration programme Meir, to ensure that the right package of area improvements and new development is delivered to meet the needs of local people.

RENEW is working in partnership with consultants Talyor Young and Great Places Housing Group to prepare a detailed masterplan for the Meir Area of Major Intervention (AMI) and decide how the plans will be put into action.

Three masterplan options have now been drawn up and local people are being invited to have their say.

In Meir five key objectives have been identified. These are based on the issues and challenges facing local neighbourhoods.

1) Delivering high quality new housing development

To deliver a range of high quality new housing on key strategic development sites providing for a better choice of properties in terms of size, type and tenure and attracting people back into the area.
Lyme Road housing scheme proposes 46 new dwellings consisting of a mixture of bungalows, semi-detached and terrace mews properties alongside a small proportion of apartment. The scheme has been designed to ingrate well with existing properties and maintain the privacy of existing residents, in addition to providing an interesting and distinctive mix of architecture that will compliment the character of existing properties.
Rowen Village, Extra Care centre allows residents to remain in their new home and receive varying levels of care 24 hours a day. This development consists of 75 units of extra care; 50 rented and 25 offered for sale and includes restaurant, gym, therapies and a range of other activities to benefit healthy aging residents in the Meir community.

2) Improving conditions for existing poor quality housing stock

To improve the condition of existing housing areas through the selective refurbishment of properties and public areas and addressing issues of crime, anti-social behaviour and neighbourhood management.
Woodville Road Gateway and Refurbishments. This scheme has long been seen as the key opportunity to give Meir Estate a new entry point and create a high quality through route to Brookwood Drive and beyond. The scheme will involve the refurbishment of some 30 properties. The newly refurbished properties will be a mixture of shared-ownership, social rented and possible owner-occupier.
The scheme is well underway on the first four properties. A show home will be open in the early summer of 2009 and will give the local residents and future residents the opportunity to see the high quality finish of the properties. All the properties on Woodville Road will receive both internal and external improvements including new kitchens, bathrooms and boundary walls.
The first phase of alleygating is nearly complete and the handover of keys is imminent.. The scheme consists of closure and resurfacing of rear alleyways. Each scheme will give private access to the residents that surround each alleyway and provide them with security, an improved environment and, a safe communal space for neighbours to access. Great Places Housing Group have allocated a pot of money to kick start the ‘greening up’ of the alleygated schemes.

3) Meeting demand for community infrastructure

To improve access to and enhance the function and quality of existing community facilities and create opportunities for new facilities where required.
In response to the need for a community facilities in the heart of the estate two empty properties, nine and 11 The Square, have been converted into a community facility for the local residents. The new community centre consists of two ground floor meeting rooms, offices, kitchen, and toilets. Upstairs consists of a large meeting room and offices. The community centre was officially opened on May 29, 2009. Already, organisations like JET (Jobs, Enterprise and Training) and The CAB’s Resident Friends Service have shown an interest in holding weekly surgeries at the community centre.

4) Delivering improved access and connectivity

To improve local accessibility through better-connected, more attractive and safer routes. This includes improving the access between the west and east areas of Meir via a direct route between Woodville Road and Brookwood Drive and providing a better connection to Crescent Primary School and the Children’s Centre.

5) Creating a good quality environment

To provide high quality streets, spaces and public areas and an enhanced network of open spaces.
Better driveways, integral garages and designated lay bys along the streets will improve parking.