Meeting with Nigel Budd

Present: Myself and Nigel Budd

Purpose of Activity
To uncover professional opinion and information regarding the regeneration process and proposed plans of Easington Road, Hartlepool

Methodology
To Discuss and document minutes regarding the area, reasoning behind demolition, future plans and process of operation to regenerate

Anticipated Outcome
Information, verbal and documented about why the council have opted for demolition and rebuild. What the advantages and disadvantages are and whether it would be possible for HBC to consider treating my proposals as a live project.

What do HBC propose to do with the currently derelict housing located on Easington Road?

Demolition is set for June 2009 when remaining three tenants are due to move out, Temporary plan is to board up the site and use as advertising space for the next three years until sufficient money is present to rebuild.

Is there a fixed budget in place yet? If so, how much?

Eight million investments in the regeneration of North Hartlepool residential areas over the next 12 months (includes buying out tenants) approximately 3 million allocated to Easington Road.

How much waste is disposed of when demolishing a typical housing estate?

Much of it is used on site, bricks are crushed and used as road surfacing/foundations etc, the rest goes to landfill.

Have you (as a council) ever considered the environmental cost when replacing housing estates?

Recently incorporated underground heating systems to NEW social housing schemes, trying to reduce waste, It’s financial before environmental.

If I was to put a visual concept proposal forward, would it be considered?

Yes, we have no plans for the space yet other than advertising space post demolition due to current state of economy. It would be interesting to see what you have in mind!

What methods of research do you have in place in order to establish what makes a good, functional housing/residential area?

Ask residents what they want, look at consumer needs and aim to fulfil them.

How long would you estimate that construction work would take (including demolition and rebuild)?

The hardest, and most time consuming part is purchasing the properties and moving resident on. Average housing estate, start to finish 2 years.

Do you have any physical information I could take away with me, such as plans, blueprints, minutes, cost/time sheets etc?

All information filed within research journal, No blue prints due to DPA.

Do you feel it would be feasible to build/modify in a sustainable manner?

Sometimes. it’s early days it’s only recent for sustainability to be a major factor, slow progression is being made, so far, so good.

What is the council’s policy on ‘Green Builds’? If you had the option to demolish and rebuild, or improve, which would you opt? why?

Demolish, most of the houses are damp and have passed the proposed lifespan, don’t meet the aspirations of residents today.

Do you have any information on other areas in the town currently undergoing regeneration which may bear some relevance?

Information obtained on Chester Road/Chatham Road (The Headway) development where new builds are currently being erected.

When developing an area, such as Easington Road, Where do you re house the existing tenants? Do they cause damage or disruption to other areas?

Some move out of the town completely, some move into nicer homes in the same areas, others disperse quietly and successfully.

Should I arrive at any future problems, or any further questions arise, could I contact you for advice? If any further information comes to light, would you forward it to me?

Yes! and Yes!- it would be interesting to see your proposals, if I can be of any further help, just call or email me.

Would it be possible to take a template to produce a professional feasibility study from?

We only have hard copies – gave me a duplicate of reports of the area.

Thank You for your time.