- Housing
- Cranmore Regeneration Project
Cranmore Regeneration Project
Background
The Cranmore Estate is the largest housing estate in the North West. The estate consists of 500 houses built in 5 phases between the early 1970s and 1985, some 50% of which remain in public ownership. The population of the estate is estimated between 2500 and 3000 people. Cranmore is one of the 5 designated RAPID areas in Sligo town and in 2004 Cranmore was identified as requiring major investment to overcome the many issues and problems experienced by the Community. Therefore, the Cranmore Regeneration Project was established as a high priority project for Sligo Local Authorities. Through consultation with the Community and research carried out, it was recognised that an inter-agency approach to regeneration was required to successfully address the cross cutting issues identified by the Community.
Cranmore Regeneration Project Team
Because of its high priority status, a full-time core Project Team was appointed in September 2004 to oversee the planning, co-ordination and implementation of the regeneration project. The Project Team consists of Project Leader, Jennifer Murphy, Estate Officer, Des McGarry, Administrator, Sinéad McGarrigle and Community Development Worker, Marie Brennan. The project team work closely with Sligo Borough Council’s Housing, Architectural, Parks, Planning and Roads Departments as well as Community, Enterprise and the Arts Department of Sligo County Council in coordinating the development of the Regeneration strategy for Cranmore. The project team are based in the Cranmore Community at 37 Racecourse View and can be contacted at 071 9149179.
Multi-Agency Approach
The regeneration project involves a multi- agency approach with representatives from Sligo Borough Council, local service providers and the community, participating in the regeneration planning process. A Cranmore Regeneration Steering Committee, which is chaired by Co Manager, Mr Hubert Kearns was established in May 2004 to guide the planning process. Working groups, consisting of multi-agency and community representation have also been established and are working with the Project Team in developing the plans for both the physical and social regeneration of the estate. Physically, the regeneration project focuses on the Housing, Environment, Sport/Recreation and The Arts while socially, regeneration focuses on the co-ordination of services to the estate as well as community development activities and other tenant participation initiatives.
Cranmore Community Platform
As part of the Regeneration Process it was decided in the interest of community involvement to establish a Community Platform consisting of representatives from the different sectors residing in Cranmore for example people with disabilities, women’s group, youth, residents committees etc.
Have provided support to the Community in relation to their involvement in the plan. Funding was secured under the RAPID Programme from Dormant Accounts to employ a Development Worker for a period of two years to establish and support the Community Platform and support Community Development Initiatives as part of the Regeneration Project. Marie Brennan took up the position in January 2005 and is working specifically in establishing and supporting the Community Platform.
The six community representatives elected by the community form the core of the community Platform and provide a voice for the Community to communicate information, ideas and propose solutions in relation to the Cranmore Regeneration Project. Representatives sit on all regeneration working groups and also in the Steering Committee. The Community Platform has developed and issued a Community Newsletter which updates the residents on the regeneration process and local community issues. Cranmore Community were awarded a special prize for Outstanding Estate Management in the Co-operation Ireland’s ‘National Pride of Place’ Awards at their awards ceremony held in Belfast in October 2005. The Pride of Place Competition recognises the effort and hard work of local people to improve their community. This was the first year Cranmore participated in the event and their success was seen as a significant achievement for the Cranmore Community. The Platform were also responsible for organising the Cranmore Festival last September.
Developing the Master Plan
Sligo Borough Council in conjunction with the Community and other key stakeholders are currently developing a Masterplan for the physical and social regeneration of Cranmore. The Masterplan, once agreed will form the basis of a submission to Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government to fund the regeneration of Cranmore. The Cranmore Regeneration Project has come about through dialogue between the RAPID Programme (Revitalizing Areas through Planning Investment & Development) and Sligo Borough Council. Through consultation with the Community and research carried out it was recognised that a multi–agency approach to regeneration was required.
Draft Framework Plan
A draft Framework Plan for the re-development of the Cranmore estate has been developed by Sligo Borough Council’s Architect’s Department in consultation with the Cranmore Community and other key stakeholders. The objectives of the Draft Framework Plan are as follows:
- To provide quality homes with balanced social mix optimising housing density
- To incorporate sustainable flagship community/civic/commercial feature or facility in re-design of estate.
- To provide adequate recreation/amenity space and facilities.
- Maximise community safety and security in re-design of estate
- To provide economic development and sustainable local employment opportunities
The Draft Framework Plan sets out a number of key proposals for the redevelopment of the Cranmore estate and will form the basis of an application to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for funding within the coming year.
Consultation
A key element of the regeneration process to date has been consultation with the Cranmore Community. In developing the Draft Framework Plan for Cranmore, an intensive consultation process with the Cranmore Community was undertaken by Sligo Borough Council. The first phase of consultations took place in advance of the development of the Draft Framework Plan and focused on identifying issues and problems to be addressed in the Plan. This process commenced in October 2004 with an Open Day consultation event held in Cranmore alongside Community celebrations to mark the 30th Anniversary of the estate. Over 200 residents attended the event to meet with the project team and officials from Sligo Borough Council to discuss the issues affecting the community and propose ideas for improving quality of life for residents living there. Follow up meetings were held with Residents Associations to feedback on the information gathered and issues highlighted during the consultation process.
From this information the Draft Framework Plan was developed and presented to the Steering Committee and Community Platform in July 2005. The Draft Framework Plan was launched for consultation in September 2005. Again a consultation Open Day was held in Cranmore to raise awareness and consult on the key proposals of the Draft Plan.
Consultation with residents of Cranmore has continued during the period September 2005 to date and will continue through all stages of the Regeneration Process. The Draft Framework Plan has been endorsed by the Community Platform, Working Groups, Steering Committee and Sligo Borough Council for submission to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for approval and funding later this year.
Information Day
Residents of Cranmore came out to view the proposals for regenerating their community at an Information Day held by Sligo Borough Council in Abbeyquarter last Wednesday 15th March. The Information Day was organised by Sligo Borough Council’s Project Team to allow the residents see first hand the proposals in the Draft Framework Plan which will form the basis of a submission to the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government later this year. Over one hundred residents attended the Information Day where staff from Sligo Borough Council working on the project were at hand to discuss the proposals and gather feedback from the residents.
Pilot Regeneration Project
Sligo Borough Council has received approval and funding from the Department of Environment, Heritage and Local Government for a pilot regeneration in the Cranmore Estate. The Pilot Project included refurbishment of 14 boarded up houses and upgrading the immediate neighbourhood including landscaping, new boundary wall treatments and removal of alleyways. It is expected to commence works on site early May 2006 following a successful procurement process.
Cranmore Community Playground
During the consultations, the need for a new children’s playground in the estate has been identified as essential to the well-being of the children of the locality. The consensus opinion is that although the ‘bigger picture’ master plan has not been finalised for Cranmore, the playground should be developed as soon as possible in the context of an early win for the Cranmore Regeneration Project. Funding sources to deliver the Cranmore playground include Rapid Playground Scheme; Rapid Local Authority Housing Enhancement Scheme; Sligo Borough Council and Groundwork Northern Ireland. Work has commenced on site in March 2006 and is expected to be completed by summer 2006.
CCTV Funding
Through its RAPID programme, Sligo Borough Council has secured funding from the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform under the Community Based CCTV schemes package, to provide CCTV in Cranmore as part of its estate management strategy. The aim of the scheme was to improve community safety and the quality of life of residents and the general public. The installation of CCTV will form an important component of a range of measures that will assist in maximising Community Safety and Security. The implementation of the scheme will assist in the prevention and reduction of local crime and anti-social behaviour and will further enhance and add value to the existing policing provision within communities and services provided by the Borough Council to these communities. It is envisaged that the schemes will be implemented as part of the Regeneration Project.
CCTV Funding
Through its RAPID programme, Sligo Borough Council has secured funding from the Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform under the Community Based CCTV schemes package, to provide CCTV in Cranmore as part of its estate management strategy. The aim of the scheme was to improve community safety and the quality of life of residents and the general public. The installation of CCTV will form an important component of a range of measures that will assist in maximising Community Safety and Security. The implementation of the scheme will assist in the prevention and reduction of local crime and anti-social behaviour and will further enhance and add value to the existing policing provision within communities and services provided by the Borough Council to these communities. It is envisaged that the schemes will be implemented as part of the Regeneration Project.
