Trust uses social media to highlight good work

I’ve blogged recently about a fantastic community-led project in High Bickington, Devon, where local people have come together and worked with partners to deliver the homes their village needs. This video which has been produced by funding partners shows the progress being made by members of the High Bickington Community Property Trust, who will manage [...]

High Bickington lauded as localism flagship

I blogged last month about an inspiring community-led scheme in High Bickington, Devon, which has brought villagers together to deliver badly needed housing and workspace for local people. I was delighted this morning to read the two-page write-up Planning magazine had devoted to the project, following a visit and some interviews organised at the site a [...]

Funding news underlines local comms challenges

This week’s announcement that the HCA is investing almost £2.5m in a vital estate regeneration project in Devon was particularly satisfying for me. The Forches estate in Barnstaple in not at the front of many people’s minds when they think about the lifestyle that Devon offers. But the area poses some very real issues of substandard housing, deprivation and unemployment which exist in pockets across [...]

‘Stunning’ image shows eco-scheme in vivid detail

This new computer-generated image reveals in striking detail Sovereign South+West’s flagship environmentally sustainable housing development, which is currently being developed in Torbay. It reveals for the first time how the homes in Beechfield Avenue, Torquay, are expected to look when complete. The new project will be the first in Torbay to be built to Levels [...]

Pictures bring Devon bridge-lift to life

I’ve been sent some pictures of the recent successful installation of a new bridge over the M5 near Exeter, which show the scale and complexity of the job in fantastic detail. The motorway was closed overnight to allow the new 230 tonne structure to be craned over the motorway near Junction 29, with only a few select people [...]

Plymouth puts its partners to work

I was up at the crack of dawn today to travel to Plymouth, where the city council hosted a day’s session with partners to help it map out its housing strategy. Having witnessed the scores of partners in attendance, listened to intelligent, high-profile speakers and seen some amazing regeneration taking place, I left feeling impressed and energised by the the city’s ambition. Attendees included some of [...]

Pickles’ vision: how localism can make cities stronger

Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has spoken today about how the principles underpinning his Localism Bill can help transform our cities. Speaking at The Economist’s Liveable Cities Conference, he outlined his belief that the bill’s key principle – handing power to local people - can be used to fuel economic growth in our metropolitan areas. Until now, most things I have [...]