Stanhope estate regeneration

Ashford Borough Council became the first shire district authority to agree a Housing Revenue Account regeneration PFI deal and closed contracts in a record-breaking nine months.

New and groundbreaking standards in community engagement were set in the process. The five-year regeneration package will now provide 400 quality new homes and create a safe, secure and sustainable environment.

The Stanhope PFI process began in 2000 when residents were asked by the council to identify their priorities for improvement. This allowed the council to set out clear goals to create a new identity, sense of place and public perception for Stanhope, replace nine unpopular flat blocks with quality housing stock,
create a safe and secure environment and improve the quality of life of all residents.

As well as better housing, facilities and environment for residents, the council has aspired to foster a new
sense of ownership and pride in Stanhope.

Benefits

• Deliver new high-quality housing, remove unpopular blocks of flats which were a symbol of deprivation, create a more balanced community, improve the environment and provide new retail facilities, job and
  training opportunities for local residents and foster a new sense of civic pride.
• Represented an opportunity to secure significant capital investment by engaging private sector partners.