Industry News


Planning permission granted for major regeneration of central Winklebury


New consultation launched on use of regulatory powers


Te Regulator of Social Housing has launched a consultation on updated statutory guidance which sets out how it proposes to use its powers. RSH’s existing powers were strengthened


by the Social Housing Regulation Act, which received Royal Assent in July 2023. Most come into effect in April next year. RSH will continue to consider using


its powers when social landlords both fail to deliver the outcomes set in regulatory standards and cannot or will not put things right. RSH will also continue to have a proportionate approach and consider each case individually, and the first priority will be for landlords to identify and address issues themselves.


H


ousing association VIVID has been granted planning permission for the major regeneration of central Winklebury.


Tis transformative project will deliver 203 highly sustainable new homes, along with 4.5 acres of public open green space, a new preschool, a community centre, a medical centre and pharmacy, public play area and a new retail hub with parking. VIVID worked closely with local residents


and the wider community, as well as Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, Hampshire County Council and the NHS to create an exciting regeneration plan, over a series of consultations and a number of years, to ensure the plans were shaped by the people who would be impacted most. • Flats, houses and bungalows will be provided in a mix of tenures. High quality and modern, the homes will replace ageing accommodation on the site and will include modular building.


• Te proposals will open up 4.5 hectares of previously inaccessible green space to create a new public park for everyone to enjoy. A fort-themed, sustainable play area and new signposting and landmarking will celebrate


and recognise the heritage of Fort Hill. Te extensive landscaping will provide wildlife habitat with a range of native British shrubs, trees and grassland, increasing biodiversity.


• A secure new preschool building will replace the current temporary facilities and a new community centre will be a flexible base for a range of activities.


• Te Winklebury hub will be replaced with a new centre with street frontage, and retail units.


• Te new medical centre will be a multi- purpose building with doctors, nurses, mental health provision and social prescribers. Te centre is sized to meet community needs and is supported by health providers.


• 374 parking spaces across the site will include disabled parking bays and electric vehicle charging.


Sustainability will be at the forefront, with waste reduction in place during construction, a ‘fabric first’ approach to ensure energy efficiency in every home including air source heat pumps and the use of PV solar panels.


The types of issues that may lead to RSH using its powers include serious failings that put tenants and their homes at risk, financial viability issues, and failure to comply with regulatory standards despite intensive engagement and other regulatory interventions.


RSH’s proposed statutory guidance


explains the situations where it may use its powers, as well as the process for using them. Te consultation is running until Tuesday 16th January 2024. Jonathan Walters, deputy chief executive


at RSH, said: “Our stronger powers will help deliver long-lasting change that improves landlords’ services to tenants.” “We will continue to have a proportionate


approach and require landlords to fix problems when they fail to deliver the outcomes required in the standards. But if they don’t, we have a range of tools to make them put things right. We encourage tenants, landlords and others in the sector to take part in this important consultation.”


www.housingmmonline.co.uk | HMMDecember/January 2024 | 21


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