Christian Fields residents will dance in the street to celebrate completion of the first new homes » Housing » 24dash.com

On Friday 25 July from 4pm until 8pm residents of Christian Fields in Gravesend, Kent will enjoy a street party, sponsored by Countryside Properties PLC and Moat, to celebrate the completion of the first phase of the £75m mixed tenure regeneration project.

Adult attendees will enjoy a tea party in the street, karaoke and live rock and roll music. Young partygoers will have the opportunity to take part in some fun, traditional activities like egg and spoon races, musical chairs and sack races.

The event is far more than just a party! It is a well-deserved celebration for all those involved in creating the successful first phase of new homes in the neighbourhood. These homes are part of a regeneration that is already making a huge difference to the community in general.

In 2002, Gravesham Borough Council identified Christian Fields as an area in need of regeneration. Moat was appointed as the affordable partner on the project and in association with developer Countryside Properties PLC and English Partnerships, embarked on the vital regeneration of Christian Fields.
Police report that crime has reduced in the area since the project began and that the number of households where there were concerns about anti-social behaviour has fallen from thirty to two.

Caroline Field, Moats sustainability manager says: After four years of intensive planning and hard work it is exhilarating to see the first residents move into their brand new homes. This party will bring people together to celebrate the positive change that is happening at Christian Fields.

ENDS

About Christian Fields

Christian Fields is a £75m mixed tenure development, comprising 427 new homes in Gravesend, Kent. Residents at Christian Fields have been involved in the designs of the new homes with local exhibitions and representation on planning groups. The new homes are reflecting resident preferences for a traditional style of family home. Work began in March 2006. National regeneration agency, English Partnerships has contributed £9.95m towards the delivery of the project.

About Moat

Moat is a housing association that has provided affordable homes for people in the south east for over 40 years. With particular strengths in affordable home ownership and key worker housing, Moat also provides general needs homes for affordable rent, supported accommodation and tenancy support services.

Moat is one of the Housing Corporations development partners and is also the governments appointed HomeBuy Agent in Essex, Kent and Sussex. Moat employs 450 people and manages over 18,000 homes for rent and shared ownership.

Moats south region owns and manages over 7,700 homes across 21 local authority areas in Kent and Sussex.

Moat is an active partner in the Stanhope and Christian Fields regeneration projects and is involved in providing affordable homes at Brighton, Crawley, the Medway towns and Thames Gateway.
Moat is a leading housing association offering excellent customer service and building high quality affordable homes within thriving communities.
www.moat.co.uk
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About Countryside Properties PLC

Countryside Properties PLC is a leader in property development, the creation of sustainable communities and urban regeneration. Our vision is to create places for people where they can enjoy a good quality of life.

The Group has more than 20 years experience of providing new and refurbished affordable housing. A broad range of mixed-tenure estate regeneration schemes are undertaken with local authorities and housing associations, to bring new life to run-down urban areas. We have unrivalled expertise in estate regeneration and as a result the Group is able to bring its partners an unparalleled range of skills and experience. We are a key partner in the London Wide Initiative with English Partnerships and the Communities and Local Governments Design for Manufacture competition.

The Company, which was incorporated in 1958, is owned jointly by the Cherry family and Bank of Scotland which is providing the Group with significant funding. Countryside Properties has an annual turnover in excess of £500m, employs some 800 people and 93% of our residential development is on brownfield and recycled urban land.

For further information visit www.countryside-properties.com and www.countryside-properties-corporate.com

About English Partnerships

English Partnerships is the national regeneration agency helping the Government to support high quality sustainable growth in England by creating well-served mixed communities where people enjoy living and working.

In collaboration with the Housing Corporation, the Academy for Sustainable Communities and Communities and Local Government we are establishing the new Homes and Communities Agency that will begin operating in 2009.