Now the regeneration of East Marsh can really begin

THE potential £7.9m redevelopment of East Marsh has reached a landmark date - with councillors approving it as a statutory renewal area.

It paves the way for an extensive programme of redevelopment and renovation for the area and follows an extensive consultation period where more than 95 per cent of residents voiced the need for the area to have a complete overhaul.

The decision, made at Monday's cabinet meeting, means that North East Lincolnshire Council - supported by Shoreline Housing Partnership - can begin the purchase of empty properties in Guildford Street.

Cllr Geoff Lowis, the council's portfolio holder for regeneration and housing, said: "It's great that we have such overwhelming support from the people in the East Marsh, now we need to get on and make a real difference to people’s lives.

"This area has been forgotten for far too long, and we will be pushing the Government and its housing agencies for further investment.

"I believe that thanks to the work this council is doing there is a growing national recognition that the physical and social damage to our community following the collapse of the fish catching industry in the 1970s needs to be addressed.”

Cllr Steve Beasant, portfolio holder for communities and neighbourhoods, said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to address not just housing, but anti-social behaviour and improving education as well. It's a momentous decision."

Julie Ogley, the council's executive director for community care, said: "The declaration of a statutory renewal area in East Marsh is a key step in our regeneration of the area and means that the hard work can truly begin.

"Residents in the area have been incredibly supportive of our plans throughout the consultation process and this sweeping, far-reaching programme of redevelopment will give them a better quality of life in a much-improved environment."

The statutory renewal area agreement commits the council to a 10-year programme of regeneration in the East Marsh.

The council will now purchase properties from 58-176 Guildford Street and 69-173 Guildford Street, prior to clearance and redevelopment. Numbers 8-56 Guildford Street and 5-57 Guildford Street will undergo a programme of renewal and renovation.

A compensation package has been agreed to reimburse families currently living in the affected area. One of the properties is also set to be converted into a Shoreline office, where residents and visitors can receive on-the-spot advice about the ongoing programme of regeneration.

Other measures set to be undertaken include:

• Whole street improvements to approximately 70 properties
• Projects to encourage owner occupation - including grant aid and acquisition for renovation and resale
• Extension of CCTV coverage
• Grant and loan aid so owner occupiers can bring homes up to the Decent Homes Standard.

Madeleine Bell, the council's deputy director for strategic housing and safer communities, said: "Dealing with poor quality housing will improve the well-being of people across the Borough.

"This is an important step towards a complete transformation of East Marsh."