Greener affordable homes for Andover

More than 500 people will benefit from energy-saving technology on Andover’s newest suburb. With more than a quarter of the affordable homes at Augusta Park already occupied, the £41m affordable homes project on the former East Anton Farm is providing 303 homes to rent or part-buy part-rent over the next two years.

Sentinel is working with Taylor Wimpey and Bellway Homes to deliver the affordable portion of the new 2500-home suburb. The project, as well as the local construction industry, has benefited from £13.7m of investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

Two new primary schools, a community centre and small local shops are all in the pipeline, while a new Community Officer has been appointed to ensure new families settle in.

Our Chief Executive Martin Nurse said: “These are our first homes in Test Valley, and by investing now to cut customers’ energy bills in the future, we hope to prove that great homes shouldn’t cost the earth.

“We’re grateful for our partners in government and the housebuilding industry for helping us deliver this on such a large-scale, which will also have a big impact on local waiting lists.”

James Rowley, Area manager at the HCA, said: “It is fantastic to see families settling in to their new homes at Augusta Park and they will benefit from the energy-saving features for many years to come. I’m delighted that the HCA were able to support the efforts of Sentinel, Taylor Wimpey and Bellway Homes to provide Andover with this exciting and sustainable new community.”

Elsewhere, we've also started to redevelop the former Merrie Monk pub in New Road as 15 affordable apartments to rent.

It's good to talk

Residents of the new Kempshott Park estate in Basingstoke got together with their Neighbourhood Team for a chat and a bite to eat.

“It’s always good to meet new residents in this kind of informal way,” our local neighbourhood manager Beth Holmyard says. “These events are a great way for new residents to meet each other and for us to find out what they think about their new home.”

Home straight for rural regeneration

Workmen are on the home straight of the £20m regeneration of Bishops Green estate, near Newbury.

We welcomed Sir George Young MP to the flagship development, delivering even more affordable homes, as the final 68 homes next to Greenham Common get underway.

Our chief executive Martin Nurse says: "I'm pleased that the residents here are so much happier. The final phase is now underway, and once complete, it'll be as obvious to everyone else as it is to us that the community here have a place to be proud of."

Sentinel and Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council teamed up with the local community in 2006 to improve the quality of life in less prosperous areas, resulting in the demolition of 95 outdated homes, and replacement with 148 homes, a new village hall, shop, youth centre, and playground.

Sir George Young has been a big supporter of the project, and called in last week to launch the final phase.

He says: "This is a model regeneration scheme, and now with more shared ownership and homes for sale, a wider mix of people will be able to enjoy the great amenities.

"Everyone's done really well to get more housing on a constrained site without it looking overcrowded."

The first phase completed in May 2008, the second phase in September 2009, and the keys will be handed over on the final phase in mid-2011, and is Sentinel's fourth community regeneration project in a decade.

Bin it skip it

We swung into action after residents in Kingsclere reported an increase in fly-tipping and the dumping of household items. We hired a skip for Strokins Road and residents filled it up so quickly we had to hire another! It’s worth remembering that the borough council offer a collection for unwanted bulky goods, and if you want to get rid of unwanted electrical goods, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) will come and collect things such as TV’s and printers free of charge. Phone 01252 338414 or email collect@weeecollect.it

High and Dry

We’ve provided a further 91 affordable homes to help meet the growing need in the local area. We invested £12m at the Highfields development, Old Kempshott Lane, after teaming up with Barratt Homes. The site is on the western edge of Basingstoke town and the overall development will provide more than 300 new homes for the area.

Titivating Tadley

We’ve teamed up the probation service again to help improve the communal areas around Tadley. The Community Service Programme carried out clearance work in the communal areas around the apartment blocks in Reynards Close and Maple Grove. We’ve got plans to do some more work in the Silchester area soon. If you’ve got ideas for improvements in your neighbourhood, get in touch with your neighbourhood team.

The magic of Christmas

All the festive decorations have been put away and you’ve probably just finished the last of the Christmas cake. If you live in Bishops Green or Winklebury you may well have joined in the festive fun at the Magic of Christmas events. The Winklebury event, was organised by the Winklebury Carnival Committee, Community wardens and sponsored by Sentinel, with loads of fun and games including; magic shows, Christmas crafts, carol singing and Christmas goodies from Santa. If you’ve got events coming up in your neighbourhood why not share them with us? Drop us a line, give us a call, email us or use the contact us form.

Everything stops for tea

Delighted residents of Firth Close in Silchester relaxed over a cup of tea and a cream scone in their newly completed communal garden. The garden, made possible through Sentinel’s Community Chest Grant scheme, provides residents with an oasis of colour and a rustic gazebo seating area.

Residents in bungalows in Penwood, Woolton Hill, and Burghclere that were previously managed by our sheltered housing team, got to meet their new Neighbourhood Team over tea and scones. The summer social got everyone together for tea and chat and gave residents a chance to talk to staff about any issues or concerns they have about their neighbourhood.

Magic of Christmas

The Winklebury Carnival Committee, Sentinel Housing, Community Wardens and local businesses are working together to bring some festive cheer to Winklebury this Christmas. The Magic of Christmas event is on Saturday 19 December from 5pm-9pm in the Winklebury Centre off Winklebury Way. There's loads of free kids fun including free gifts from Father Christmas, free magic shows and carol singing. There's also loads of festive stalls a Hog Roast and residents can win great prizes by getting into the Christmas spirit and decorating their windows.

Coffee and cake for cancer charity 

Residents in Bishops Green near Newbury have rallied round to help raise money for the MacMillan Cancer Charity. The September event held in the community centre was organised as part of the worlds biggest coffee morning campaign, and raised nearly £500 for the charity. If you’d like to find out more about the charity or make a donation visit www.macmillan.org.uk.

Thinking Green

Pupils from Burghclere School got their hands dirty at this years Residents’ Week Roadshow in Bishops Green. Neighbourhood Panel Member Kathy Hine invited local schools to take part in our Thinking Green campaign. Children not only learnt about drought-tolerant plants, but also got stuck in by planting up containers. They got to take their handy work back to the school and incorporate the containers into the school’s communal garden.