Dee Road Redevelopment

Dee Road Redevelopment

 

Dee Park Estate Regeneration Survey results

Having been approached by concerned local residents Alok launched a survey, together with local Dee Road Estate residents, to find out what they really think about the Dee Road redevelopment plans.

Forty responses were received from local people and the key findings were as follows:

Overall:

  • 75% of the respondents had attended one or more of the public consultations run in the past;
  • 63% however did not feel that their questions were adequately answered.

In respect of accommodation for the elderly, the potential loss of green spaces and demolition of garages the responses were as follows:

  • 80% would prefer to retain more of the current green spaces;
  • 87% do not believe it would be appropriate to accommodate elderly residents who do not need sheltered housing in flats alongside those with young families;
  • 83% would like to retain their garages rather than see them demolished.

As part of the Dee Park Regeneration consultation process Alok wrote to Reading Borough Council with the results from the survey. In his submission to the Council he stated: "There is little doubt that the Dee Road Estate does need regeneration and this objective has the clear support of many residents. However as part of any regerneration plan I hope it will be possible to take into account and accomodate the views of as many of the residents as possible. As you will note there are some strong views on the Estate in respect of through traffic and parking, accomodation for the elderly and general amenities."

Alok also raised a key issue with regard to the financial viability of the whole regeneration project, he wrote: “I would like to raise one other very important issue in this letter and that is in respect of the business plan which underpins the commercial viability of the whole regeneration project. My understanding is that the current business plan assumes a proportion of the new housing will be sold to private individuals and this will help fund the project as well as provide a profit for any developer. Given the current and continuing slump in house prices and housing transactions I hope the continuing commercial viability of any business plan will be scrutinised in detail. It would be a great shame for all involved, especially the residents on the Estate, if the regeneration project commences and then has to be halted part way through due to a lack of continued financing.”