Gateway Hull

Uncertain future for Hull pathfinder

2011-01-21T13:55:00.000-08:00

Since the publication of the Comprehensive Spending Review, it has become clear that there is no bespoke funding for housing market renewal beyond March 2011 and that potential future funding is unlikely to be secured in time to allow the current programme to continue uninterrupted.

All remaining funding must therefore be used to meet legal and contractual commitments and all other activity has had to be put on hold, including the current phases of acquisition in Newington St. Andrew's, Ings and Preston Road.

The Gateway team has informed the residents affected and is putting in place a range of measures to support people through this period of uncertainty. Hull City Council is doing everything possible to secure alternative funding and in the meantime has allocated a limited amount of emergency funding to allow those residents who were due to move before Christmas to do so. This decision to re-direct funding from a number of other capital projects has been taken with the support of all political groups.

Laura Carr, Hull City Council's Acting Head of Service for Housing Investment and Renewal said: “Our top priority will be to provide information and support for residents who are in the current phases of acquisition.

“We do understand that residents whose homes are proposed for demolition or refurbishment in future phases will also have concerns. At this stage, the long-term plans are unchanged. Whilst phases that were planned for this year and next are clearly affected by the spending reductions the timing of phases beyond next year will depend, as it always did, on the availability of funding at that time.”

Site Manager's update - Anlaby Rd

2010-06-25T00:39:00.000-07:00

Currently paving & gravelling to front gardens, and installing metal fencing.
brickwork to wall 540 & 518. A few hours lost to rain last month. We are dropping back to complete the late sign ups and do any works variations. No accidents to report since last site meeting. All brickwork to late sign ups should be completed by 2/07/10 and all paving & gravelling to gardens complete by 16/07/10. We are on course to complete as per our programme

Next stop Malm St

2010-06-19T08:16:00.000-07:00

H&P has been awarded a further phase of works at Malm St - whilst working on the last project at Alliance Ave our resident liaison officer Pauline Steele offered to help Gateway by getting all the necessary resident consents for Malm Street Pauline managed to sign up around 65 houses, meaning that when the work starts this month we will be able to carry it out faster and more efficiently, which makes life easier for H&P, Gateway, and local residents.

It's amazing what a face-lift can do!

2010-06-07T12:26:00.000-07:00

When Tanya Flint move in with her partner Andy Asquith almost three years ago, her home was part of a melting pot of Victorian terraces with different colour walls and exteriors.

Tanya lives on Alliance Avenue with her four children Olivia, eight, Chloe, six, Rosie-May, two, and 10-month old Phoebe-Marie and says its a joy to live in the street now.

"Before, all the outside walls were different and the street looked very tatty. Now it looks brilliant" she said.

"We've had new fascias, new guttering, a new front wall and path and the outside has been painted. It's lovely to walk down the street now.

Gateway wins top regeneration award

2010-06-07T12:23:00.000-07:00

Neighbourhood Regeneration Agency Gateway and NPS Humber Ltd have won a prestigious award from the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The award for 'Best Regeneration Initiative' in Yorkshire and Humber, recognises the impact of the excellent frontage improvement programme on Plane Street, Sandringham Street and St George's Road in Newington St Andrew's, West Hull. This was the first phase of the frontage improvement programme which has now seen over 1,000 homes revitalised.

Initiated by Gateway, and managed and designed by property consultants NPS Humber Limited, the £3.7m external facelift scheme saw over 300 homes on Plane Street, Sandringham Street and St George's Road improved to their former glory.

The aim of the scheme was to restore the three streets through reinstating the original Victorian character. Work included new fascias, gutters and rainwater pipes, reinstatement of bay windows, renewal of existing bay roof coverings, new windows and doors, new front boundary walls and railings, brickwork, render and joinery repairs and external redecoration where necessary.

Pauline Davis, Strategic Director at Gateway said: "I am delighted to see this scheme being recognised by the panel. It has had a real impact on the local area, and particularly the residents living there. Local people have started to further invest in their homes as result of the scheme and it has generated a real sense of pride."

Phil Vozza FRICS of NPS Humber Ltd said: "I am delighted that this award has been won against stiff opposition from other major cities in the Yorkshire region. This recognises the highest standard of the work carried out by all of those involved in the scheme".

The frontage improvement programme is part of Gateway's multi-million pound investment in Newington and St Andrew's, which will see over 2,000 new homes, frontage improvements to over 2,900 homes, demolition of 1,800 densely packed terraces, a network of new and improved parks, a potential new secondary school, new inner city allotments, restored historic features and revitalised shopping areas.

Towards Zero Defects Part 2

2010-04-04T08:08:00.000-07:00

As a regional Think Zero champion H&P is always looking for ways to improve quality and reduce defects at handover. By managing defects on Gateway projects at site level the number of defects has reduced and resident satisfaction has increased - and using our new web portal H&P Collaborate, we can now offer our clients live access to our defects reporting system.

A day in the life of Pauline Steele

2010-03-27T10:24:00.001-07:00

We dropped in on resident liaison officer Pauline Steele to find out how the works were progressing as they near completion. "We're handing over dozens of properties each week as we get closer to the contract finish date in April" said Pauline "and things have got a lot easier now the sun's come out. I've also been spending time getting the next project at Malm St ready, making sure that we have all the owners signed up so that works can progress as smoothly as possible". This is Pauline's first project with Hobson & Porter, but has many years experience of resident liaison with Connaught on Decent Homes projects. Before we left we dropped in on local resident Brian Toole at De La Pole Avenue.

A busy day as we near completion

2010-03-27T10:19:00.000-07:00

A really busy day for site clerk Pete Wilson and the rest of the team as we hand over dozens of properties at Glasgow St, Somerset St and Woodcock St. Apart from some minor last minute glitches - some of the doors arrived hung the wrong way! - the works have gone like a dream, and we are confident of completing the works next month.

Towards Zero Defects

2010-03-13T09:28:00.000-08:00

A productive visit to site earlier this week. As part of our role as a Think Zero Champion we are exploring ways to help the various trades work more effectively together to minimise snags during the works, which means less time spent on each property and less disruption to occupants. Keeping the same key trades together has definitely had measurable benefits. Speaking to the client's clerk of works he has just finished inspecting 25 houses at Glasgow St and found only 3 very minor snags. He also commented that the residents were more responsive to locally based contractors and subcontractors. As part of our commitment to local labour we attended an event last week at the Guildhall where we collected a certificate from Home Secretary Alan Johnson for our work in providing employment and training opportunities on Gateway projects. Buying local makes sense when regenerating communities, as the money is re-spent locally, and it also means less carbon emissions because materials and labour have less distance to travel to site.

More thanks from De La Pole!

2010-02-24T02:06:00.000-08:00

I would like to thank Pauline for the fantastic work she has done for getting all my jobs done to my home and to a high standard of workmanship. Any problems she has immediately undertaken and completed to my complete satisfaction with total understanding kind and professional manner. I also would like to thank all of the workforce for the fantastic work they have all done on my home. They have all worked very hard to finish my home to a high standard in the time it had taken them from start to finish. Thanks to everyone for all the work they all have done (they did work VERY hard)

T. Oglesby
De La Pole Avenue

Thanks from De La Pole

2010-02-24T02:05:00.000-08:00

We are writing to you regarding the regeneration work being undertaken to our property. We were very aware that the work would be started in the winter months and that there would be many subcontractors carrying out their jobs at the same time, and that trying to park my van (without getting a parking ticket, which I may add I did) may prove difficult, but even though the subcontractors are still working in appalling conditions, and at a very hard time of year (Xmas) that they should be congratulated on their manners, their attitude, and their courtesy towards my wife and myself. Furthermore the professionalism they show towards their work, and I would like to congratulate Hobson & Porter for their understanding of our concerns about the security of our property. Their liaison lady as always kept us informed as to what work would be undertaken and when. Therefore I would like you to inform Hobson & Porter and their subcontractors of my many thanks to them all, and a special thanks to Pauline for her consideration to us.

David & Anne Marie Waller

Ministerial visits to Gateway projects

2010-02-18T09:26:00.000-08:00

Gateway’s work to revitalise Hull’s neighbourhoods came under the spotlight in January and February when Regional Minister, Rosie Winterton and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Housing, Ian Austin visited the city.

During her time in Hull, Ms Winterton visited the Sutton Meadows development in east Hull to see the progress being made and met local apprentices and contractors working on the scheme. The £27m development, which is being delivered by Chevin Housing Association and Southdale Homes is currently in its third phase and comprises over 180 homes, 106 of which are already completed or underway.

In February Ian Austin visited Newington and St Andrew's, west Hull, to meet local refurbishment contractors Hobson & Porter and to visit the new development at St Andrew's Square. The £12m scheme to deliver 106 new homes is being delivered in partnership with Keepmoat Homes and Places for People Group. The scheme is now in its second phase, with 39 homes already underway and a further 67 to start in March.

Both schemes have recently benefited from £5m of Kickstart funding from the Homes and Communities Agency.

What's happening?

2010-01-22T11:40:00.001-08:00

Work to improve hundreds of privately owned homes across Newington and St. Andrew’s is now in its third phase.

Refurbishment work to over 800 homes on Melrose Street, Plane Street, St. Georges Road, Sandringham Street, Alliance Avenue, Carew Street and part of De La Pole Avenue has now been completed. Work has included new front soffit and fascia boards, new front gutters and down pipes, new front boundary walls, new front windows, front door and paint. Residents were able to choose their preferred option of doors, exterior walls and railings from a range of options. A majority decision was taken on the exterior walls and railings to be adopted by the whole street.The next phase of work is now underway on Somerset Street, Glasgow Street, Anlaby Road and the remainder of De La Pole Avenue.

You can find the Resident Information pack, Occupant Charter and other useful iformation at http://moourl.com/cz5rf

HCA drops in

2010-01-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

Gateway’s programme came under the spotlight in November when Robert Napier, Chair of the Homes and Communities Agency, visited the city.
Mr Napier visited projects in east and west Hull, and met developers, local residents, contractors and employees working on the regeneration schemes.
Together with Gateway's Strategic Director, Pauline Davis, and local resident Joan Atkinson, he also accepted the Hull Civic Society’s ‘good mark’ award, for the “outstanding” frontage improvement scheme for homes in Newington and St. Andrew’s, west Hull (pictured right). Designed to restore some of the area’s original Victorian character and splendour, the scheme has already made a major impact on the appearance of the area, with 882 homes refurbished, and work now under way to revitalise 5,000 metres of streetscene.
Stuart Whyte, Chair of Gateway commented: “We were delighted to welcome Robert Napier to the city. The support of the Homes and Communities Agency is absolutely critical to the regeneration of Hull’s neighbourhoods and during his visit he was able to see the significant progress we have already made”.

£12m boost for Hobson & Porter

2009-10-12T10:02:00.000-07:00

Hobson and Porter have been chosen to carry out a £12m contract for a further 2,000 refurbishments to homes in Newington and St Andrew's as part of Gateway's multi million pound regeneration of the area.

Hobson and Porter, which has recently completed the successful refurbishment of homes on Alliance Avenue, Carew Street and part of De La Pole Avenue, currently employs over 120 people - over 95% of whom are from Hull and the surrounding area.

Russell Horner, Estimating Director for Hobson and Porter, welcomed the announcement, which will see work starting on site in October. He said: "We are delighted to have secured this scheme and to continue our association with Gateway. Working on local projects and employing local people is particularly important in these difficult times for the building industry."

The contract will allow the local firm to safeguard its current staffing levels despite the current climate, and will see up to 60 staff working on the programme each week. There will also be one trainee bricklayer and one trainer joiner post on offer each year, which will be recruited from within the city.

Any new vacancies that are created as part of the scheme will be advertised via Construction Works; a Hull based company that specialises in recruiting local people for the construction industry.

Laura Carr, Interim Chief Executive for Gateway said: "We are delighted to be working with Hobson and Porter on the next phase of refurbishments, particularly as they are a local company with a local workforce. We are committed to using local labour wherever possible and this is just one example of the regeneration benefiting the city as a whole." Cllr Rick Welton, Cabinet Member for regeneration at Hull City Council said: "I am extremely pleased to see a local company being used for this scheme. This demonstrates our commitment to local jobs in these difficult times."

Residents will be offered a variety of frontage improvements including new fascias, paths, gutters and brick walls and railings to the front boundary of their property in a bid to bring back some of the original Victorian character to the streets.

The refurbishment scheme is an integral part of the wider regeneration work being carried out in Newington and St. Andrew's by Gateway and Hull City Council, which will see an estimated £400m radically improve the area over the next 10-15 years.

Streets ahead!

2009-06-19T10:15:00.000-07:00

Denise Tate has seen her street transformed following a £4.5m refubishment scheme to improve the external appearance of over 400 propertes and to bring back some of the original Victorian character.

Living in Sandringham Street for nine years, Denise knew her mid-terraced Victorian home was in desperate need of repair.

Her upstairs wooden window frames were rotting, her front wall had been damaged by children kicking footballs and knocking off the plaster and her flat fronted bay got her down.

Homes on Plane Street, St George’s Road, Sandringham Street and Melrose Street were given a major facelift inlcuing new windows, guttering, fascias, new front walls and iron railings.

“From every direction, my home looks lovely. From the inside, I love looking out at my new three sided double-glazed window and, from the outside, it’s been totally transformed. It’s a pleasure to walk down our street now.

“It took about ten weeks to complete the job which was a bit longer than I’d anticipated. But I would do it all again because it looks so lovely” said Denise.

“The workmen were really nice and cleared up after themselves and its just so much better. I’d encourage anyone who gets the chance to take part because it’s totally transformed our area.”

Pride in the Area

2008-11-27T10:09:00.000-08:00

Hull-based building contractor Hobson and Porter will start work this week on Gateway's £2 million scheme to give over 400 city homes an external facelift.

The scheme involving homes on Alliance Avenue, Carew Street and part of De La Pole Avenue is a major boost for the company, which employs 120 people - 96% of them from Hull and the surrounding area. Hobson and Porter has already carried out the successful refurbishment of homes in another three streets in Newington and St. Andrew's, but thanks to the new scheme has secured existing jobs and created three new ones.

The facelift is designed to bring back some of the original Victorian character to the streets is part of a long term plan to regenerate Newington and St Andrew's being delivered by Gateway, the regeneration agency.

Properties will benefit from a variety of frontage improvements including new boundary walls, gates, railings, fascias, gutters, footpaths, repairs to timber doors and windows, render, brick work and general external redecoration. Gateway is funding 100% of the work.

Dave Watson, Managing Director at Hobson and Porter said: "Employing local people and working on local projects is very important, particularly in this challenging time for the building industry. We are delighted to be involved in this scheme and are proud of our continued association with Gateway"

Newington and St. Andrew's resident Dave O'Loughlin, is one of team who will be working to renovate the properties. He said: "I'm really pleased to be working on a project which will have a real impact on my area and I look forward to seeing it transformed in the future"

Chief Executive of Gateway, Janet Whipps, said: "Over 500 homes have already received frontage improvements and this has had a really positive impact on the appearance of the area. This next phase shows our commitment to transforming Newington and St Andrew's into a place where people will choose to live".

Councillor Allen Healand, Hull City Council portfolio holder for Housing, added: "I am delighted that Gateway is part of the local response and that it is demonstrating its commitment to local jobs in these difficult times for the building industry"

Residents were consulted on the proposed works at an event in September 2008. Over 275 properties have already signed up to take part in the scheme. Hobson and Porter recently completed over 370 refurbishments to homes on Plane Street, St George's Road and Sandringham Street.