Planning Starts On Warwick Close Options

The New Year sees the start of a transformational programme set to bring new life and prosperity to one of the traditional problem areas in Kirkby-in-Ashfield.

One significant New Year resolution for Ashfield District Council is to kick start 2009 by awarding a contract to find the best way of regenerating the Warwick Close area in the town.

This means the placing of a contract for a feasibility study with Meden Valley Making Places (MVMP), the organisation currently driving the regeneration of run-down and derelict housing in former mining communities across Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.

The contract brief means MVMP will work with Ashfield District Council to find the best methods of improving the environment and quality of life for people living in the Warwick Close area. The Council view is that this type of improvement might be best achieved by tackling inappropriate housing and by addressing issues on crime and antisocial behaviour.

A number of options will be looked at, including demolishing rundown housing in the area, improving existing housing stock or a combination of both. The ultimate aim is to achieve the best solution for the people who live there and to combine actions to obtain the best outcome for the taxpayers of Ashfield District Council.

Council leader, Cllr Jason Zadrozny, said: “We have long been aware that something drastic needs to be done to solve the long term problems that exist in this part of Coxmoor.

“We have sought initial opinions from the residents and the next stage is to engage a specialist in this type of work so we can properly consider all options. We are doing this now and hope to move forward quickly with MVMP to provide a much brighter future for Warwick Close and Kirkby in general.”

Gary Kirk, Chief Executive of MVMP added: “We were selected for this project because MVMP has shown it can successfully deliver similar schemes in surrounding areas. I have no doubt that with funding in place we can achieve this again for the residents of Warwick Close and Ashfield District Council.”

Picture caption: Gary Kirk, Chief Executive of Meden Valley Making Places (left), Ashfield District Council Leader, Councillor Jason Zadrozny (centre) and Councillor Tony Theaker, the Cabinet member responsible for housing (right).