Prospective buyers can now take a look inside show homes at Spirit Quarters from the comfort of their own home.

Online visitors can now take a video tour and see first-hand what kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms look like inside the different properties available in the scheme. The short videos allow viewers to get a feel for the size and style of a new property before they visit sales offices.

The new video gallery will also include one-to-one interviews with new homeowners and tenants who have moved into the Spirit Quarters neighbourhood. To view these click here.

 

More than 300 visitors turned up at Moat House Leisure Centre this weekend to visit Santa and watch the official Christmas tree lights switch on.

The first-time event, which was sponsored by Spirit Quarters partners redeveloping the neighbourhood, attracted hundreds of local children who wanted a moment with Santa in his Grotto.

After visiting Santa, many children opted to take part in a host of other activities taking place on the day such as face painting, biscuit decorating, card making and henna tattoos. There was also a birds of prey display and stalls selling handmade jewellery and second-hand gifts.

Festivities kicked off following the annual One Voice community conference which took place earlier that morning, where local people received an update on their neighbourhood from local agencies.

To mark the end of the successful event, Coventry North MP Bob Ainsworth switched on the lights to the 10ft Christmas tree, picked the winner for the One Voice raffle and presented the prize for the children's colouring-in competition.

For more photos from this event visit Spirit Quarters in Coventry on Facebook www.facebook.com/spiritquarterscoventry

 

Despite the bleak outlook in the property market, the future looks bright for one of the largest regeneration schemes in the Midlands.

Spirit Quarters in Coventry, a £360m public-private redevelopment partnership is bucking the trend with new properties being snapped up at a rate of 1.5 properties a week – whilst the national average remains at 0.45 a week.

The developers have already sold 70% of the first phase,. A further 230 new homes are on their way, with the start of the second phase later this month.

Eamonn McInerney, Sales and Marketing Manager at Keepmoat Homes explained why buyers were attracted to the redevelopment: "Spirit Quarters is one of the most affordable housing schemes in Coventry, with a range of houses and apartments on offer. Our current bestseller is the three-bedroom Whittle which has sold out on the first phase and we are already taking details for buyers on the next phase."

"In addition to this, the neighbourhood has a host of new facilities - new schools, community centres and the £11m Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre. This attracts buyers who recognise Spirit Quarters as an up and coming area to live in."

Spirit Quarters is a six-way partnership between Whitefriars Housing, Coventry City Council, Homes and Communities Agency and developers (Bovis, Keepmoat and Persimmon). The scheme kicked off last October after years of critical planning with support from the local community and Moat House Community Trust.

Cllr Linda Bigham, Cabinet Member for City Development, said: "This is just what the people of Coventry need - affordable houses to rent or buy. It looks like the range of properties, the location and the price has hit just the right note."

Kevin Roach, Spirit Quarters Project Director said: "This is positive news for all partners involved in the scheme. Not only are we bucking the home-buying trend, we are also one of the few regeneration schemes in England which is still continuing despite the tough economic conditions. This is very much because of the commitment of all partners involved and key support from our funders, the Homes and Communities Agency."

 

A former community champion was remembered today when the first street sign in Coventry's £360m Spirit Quarters redevelopment was set in place in his honour.

Tipton Way was named after Roger Tipton, who passed away in 2009 after serving ten years as resident chair on the New Deal for Communities (NDC) Partnership Board.

Members of the Regeneration Action Team, a group of local residents involved in the housing redevelopment, decided to pay tribute to Roger by naming the first new road in the redevelopment after him.

Ian Tipton, a relative of Roger Tipton said: "To have this street named after Roger is a fitting tribute to the hard work he carried out in the community. He was a simple man who got immense pleasure from seeing positive changes to his local neighbourhood and his memory still lives on today."

The Spirit Quarters housing redevelopment kicked off in June 2010 following years of critical planning amongst partners and residents, of which Roger played a key role.

Kevin Roach, Project Director for Spirit Quarters, said: “Roger always worked closely with partners and residents to ensure the success of the regeneration in this area. He would have been extremely proud of what residents have achieved since he left us and that despite a tough housing market, we are all pushing ahead and creating an area where people want to come and live.”

Five new street names were picked last year when residents, including a group of 20 Junior Street Champions, were invited by Whitefriars and the Regeneration Action Team to choose names for the new streets being built around the former Deedmore Primary School site. Tipton Way was the first name to be selected, followed by Dragonfly Drive, Butterfly Walk, Kingfisher Close and Cray Fish Close.

Alan Tyrrell, a close friend of Roger and Chairman of Henley Green Residents Association said: "Roger was completely dedicated to serving his community and I know he would have been touched by this tribute. Having Tipton Way named after him is a truly memorable way to remember his spirit."

Spirit Quarters ‘Coventry’s New Place of Pride’ is one of the largest housing regeneration schemes in the Midlands and is being delivered through a partnership made up of Whitefriars Housing, Coventry City Council, the Homes and Communities Agency, Moat House Community Trust and a developer consortium - Bovis Homes, Keepmoat Homes and Westbury Partnerships.

154 new homes are mid-way through build and the second phase of 230 new homes is due to start soon. Throughout the life of the scheme more than 3,000 new homes will be built across the four estates of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore.

 

A long standing vacant property in Wood End is coming down as demolitions kick off as part of the Spirit Quarters regeneration in north east Coventry.

Work started today on knocking down the former Wood End Advice Centre building on Hillmorton Road which has been empty for more than 12 months after the Advice Centre moved to its new home in Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre.

The demolitions have been welcomed by local residents who live nearby and have often complained about the empty flats.

Joan Pinfield, a volunteer Wood End Community Centre said: "Hurrah! It's great news to hear that these old flats are finally being demolished. It will help to make our neighbourhood look much more appealing, especially with the new houses coming soon.

"My house is opposite the building so it will be wonderful to wake up and see the blue sky and green grass instead of those horrible gray flats."

Henley ward Councillor Ed Ruane welcomed the news that the eyesore building was finally being demolished as part of efforts to improve the environment for the local community.

"It's certainly welcome news for local residents to learn that this eyesore is finally coming down, and a further sign of how the regeneration of the area is still continuing and moving forward even in this difficult economic climate."

A number of demolitions will be taking place in the next few months as part of the overall regeneration of Wood End, Manor Farm, Henley Green and Deedmore. The project has already seen new schools, community centres, health centres and a leisure centre built in the area. 

3,328 new homes are also being built in the neighbourhood as part of the Spirit Quarters housing redevelopment, a partnership between Whitefriars Housing, Coventry City Council, Moat House Community Trust and a developer consortium made up of Bovis Homes, Keepmoat Homes and Persimmon Homes. The scheme is also receiving significant investment from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

 

Coventry taxi driver Vicky Scott is hoping her efforts to back a marketing campaign for the new Spirit Quarters development in Coventry will bring people flocking to her neighbourhood to buy a home.

A cab driver for over 20 years, Vicky is branding her black hackney carriage taxi for the next 12 months with a Spirit Quarters advert on both sides to encourage people to take a second look at where she lives.

The campaign, which celebrates the regeneration of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore in north east Coventry, marks the Spirit Quarters development as Coventry's new place of pride.

Offering a selection of two, three and four bedroom homes, the £360m redevelopment is taking place round the corner from where Vicky lives and she can already see the benefits the long awaited regeneration project is bringing.

"This redevelopment project has led to great things in our neighbourhood. Over the years we have seen new schools, health centres, community centres and play areas built. And now we have the new homes too, alongside our new leisure and neighbourhood centre.

"Not many people can say this, but I love where I live and I'm proud to back the Spirit Quarters campaign by branding my cab."

Vicky’s cab is part of a citywide marketing campaign which includes advertising on Coventry buses, billboards, radio and a mobile ad van.

The redevelopment, located just opposite Henley College, will see 3,328 new homes built over 15 years, affecting the lives of around 7,000 residents who currently live in the existing neighbourhoods in Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore.

The Spirit Quarters scheme is a partnership between Whitefriars Housing, Coventry City Council, Moat House Community Trust and a developer consortium made up of Bovis Homes, Keepmoat Homes and Persimmon Homes. The scheme is also receiving significant investment from the government’s Homes and Communities Agency.

 

Communities in North East Coventry are celebrating this week as funding has been secured to maintain momentum on the £360m transformation of their area.

Investment secured through the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), Coventry City Council and Whitefriars Housing will see another 230 homes get underway, taking the total number being built to nearly 400.

This latest phase of 230 homes will be built over the next three years and is worth around £21m. There will be 144 homes available for private sale, 60 for affordable rent, 20 for shared ownership and six for low cost home ownership. Properties will be a mix of 2-4 bedroomed houses and flats.

Kevin Roach, project director for Spirit Quarters and head of regeneration at WM Housing Group, said: “Partners and the local community have all worked extremely hard together to reach this exciting stage in the regeneration and with investment provided by the HCA and Coventry City Council we can continue to bring so many people new homes. Although the development is taking place at a slower pace than originally planned, it is still encouraging to see Spirit Quarters continue in these difficult financial times.”

Paul Spooner, executive director for the HCA Midlands said; “The HCA is committed to securing successful regeneration and high quality new homes at Spirit Quarters and I am pleased that with our investment, the next phase is able to proceed.”

Paul Degg, Managing Director of Keepmoat Homes Midlands, said: “We are all aware of the pressures on public funding so it is testament to the hard work and effort already expended by the partnership that the scheme justifies public investment.

"This funding bolsters the private investment which we are committing and ensures continued housing delivery to build upon the positive impact we have already made, which will in turn encourage further private investment into the community.”

Cllr Linda Bigham, Cabinet Member for City Development, said: "This is great news for Coventry. Affordable housing, both to buy and to rent, is in short supply across the city. This type of development transforms not only the community in immediate area, but it proves that Coventry is the place for businesses to relocate and that there is adequate and affordable housing for their staff."

Being branded across the city as ‘Spirit Quarters – Coventry’s New Place of Pride’ – the new development is situated in the Wood End and Deedmore areas of Coventry, which are undergoing massive regeneration along with neighbouring Henley Green and Manor Farm.

Martin Smith, Henley Green resident and Chair of the Regeneration Action Team, a resident group which is overseeing development said: "Since work started last year the transformation of the area has gone from strength to strength. Local residents are extremely happy that despite a tough housing market, we are pushing ahead and creating an area where people want to come and live."

Spirit Quarters is one of the largest housing regeneration schemes in the Midlands and is being delivered through a partnership including Whitefriars Housing, Coventry City Council, the HCA, Moat House Community Trust and a developer consortium - Bovis Homes, Keepmoat Homes and Westbury Partnerships.

Throughout the life of the scheme more than 3,000 new homes will be built across the four estates of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore. Community infrastructure is already complete following the £54m government investment through the New Deal for Communities programme which came to an end this year. Three new schools, new play areas and a state of the art leisure and neighbourhood centre already serve the local communities which are leading to rising educational achievement, longer life expectancy and falling crime rates.

 

Earlier this year schoolchildren from the Spirit Quarters neighbourhood put on an educational play to celebrate the changes to their area in the last decade.

Moat House Primary and Henley Green Primary worked with Cre8us, a creative agency part of the Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership, to put together a special performance reflecting on change over the past ten years and looking forward to further change in the next ten years.

The performance was commissioned by Coventry New Deal for Communities to mark the end of £54m of regeneration in the local area.

"Coventry NDC finished a ten year programme of social and physical change in the North-East of Coventry. This partnership between residents, public sector, private and third sector organisations has achieved significant change during this period, said Afzal Hussain, NDC Director.

"Children and schools have been at the heart of this work and there have been excellent advances in education in the area."

Since 2001, more than £6.5m has been spent to improve access to early learning education, primary education and secondary education. In addition to this, further investment from the City Council and private education providers now means the Spirit Quarters neighbourhood can offer some of the best education facilities in North Coventry.

Educational facilities in the area include three Primary Schools, one Children's Centre, one Special Needs School, three Secondary Schools and one further education college.

A snapshot of education facilities in the Spirit Quarters neighbourhood…

The new Moat House Primary School opened in 2004 after Eburne Primary and Wood End Primary amalgamated Henley Green Primary School was rebuilt in 2004, with new community facilities attached

• A new Moat House Early Years Children's Centre opened in 2004
• The new Castle Wood Broad Spectrum School open in 2010
• The new Grace Academy was opened in 2010
• Henley College Coventry is opening its new e-skills building in Autumn 2011
• Other existing Primary Schools include St Patrick's Primary
• Other existing Secondary Schools include Cardinal Wiseman and Lyng Hall

 

Moat House Café is the community café located on Winston Avenue, 1 minute away from the Spirit Quarters redevelopment.

Offering fresh, homemade, healthy food, the café has daily specials where you can enjoy delicious, hot meals like Fish and Chips and Chicken Curry and Rice from as little as £3.50.

Anne Hornsby, Café Supervisor said:  “Our menu consists of a variety of healthy, affordable food that is quite different to what you would find in other cafes around Coventry. Located inside the Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre, the Café is the ideal place for meeting with friends over breakfast, lunch or dinner, or if you just want a nice cup of tea or coffee in friendly surroundings.”

Moat House Cafe is a social enterprise (a business where profits go towards helping people) owned by Moat House Community Trust.

The cafe also provides a catering service for local businesses and events. To make bookings contact the café on 024 7661 9711 or check out the website www.mhcafe.co.uk

 

Coventry's north east regeneration of Wood End, Henley Green, Manor Farm and Deedmore is preparing for a second drive to bring job opportunities to local young people.

The £360m scheme off Henley Road being termed as 'Coventry's new place of pride' is preparing to recruit young adults interested in shared apprenticeships in partnership with City College Coventry, training schemes or work experience placements. In the last year six local young people who were not in education, employment or training have had the opportunity to get involved in the ambitious scheme.

Success stories includes local residents William Mpoka who initially started off on work experience and is now preparing to enrol in a BTEC HNC in Construction and Thomas Barlow who will be starting a bricklaying apprenticeship in September after completing a one year placement.

Kevin Roach, project director for Spirit Quarters said: "Both William and Thomas are fantastic examples of how young people can use the Spirit Quarters development as a springboard into future employment."

For more information about the Spirit Quarters scheme and details of how local people can start a career in construction please contact the Construction Employment Unit on 024 7681 5240 or visit The Workshop in Riley Square, Bell Green.

 

Local residents in the Spirit Quarters neighbourhood were on hand to welcome the first new resident to the area following completion of the new properties.

Caroline Flavell moved into her new 3-bedroomed Keepmoat Home on Petitor Crescent where on arrival she received a specially prepared Welcome Pack, holding a whole host of useful household items like light bulbs, teabags and coffee as a moving-in gift from the Deedmore Residents Association.

Caroline said: “It was a wonderful surprise receiving the gift from the local community, it was completely unexpected and made moving in a little bit more special! We are loving making our new house a home and look forward to meeting our new neighbours.”

Vicky Scott, Chair of Deedmore Residents Association, said: “We wanted to do something to make sure that all families who move into the new homes felt welcome and informed of what was going on in the neighbourhood”.

The Spirit Quarters area has a strong history of residents who are committed to the area. There are four resident groups making it a neighbourly area.

 

 

An award-winning neighbourhood facility in the Spirit Quarters area celebrated its two year anniversary this year.

The £11m Moat House Leisure and Neighbourhood Centre, funded by Coventry NDC, The Football Foundation and Sport England, was officially opened in March 2009. On the opening day local residents joined former Coventry FC Manager Chris Coleman and then Regional Minister Ian Austin MP to sign a special plaque to mark the opening ceremony.

Since then the boomerang shaped building has been recognised as a real community hub and has scooped a number of different awards including the FORCE Regeneration Award and Best Health and Fitness venue at the 2010 Godiva Awards.

The Centre is the newest leisure facility in the whole of Coventry.

Alan Tyrell, a local resident who was a driving force behind the setting up of the Centre said: “Local people are proud to have such excellent facilities on their doorstep. Two years later it’s easy to see the benefits this building has brought to the area.”

 

Work on a new £725k building at Henley College Coventry, located opposite the Spirit Quarters redevelopment, is now underway after receiving the green light from Coventry Council.

Constructors have now started work on the additional storey to the e-skills building at the further education and training college. The new facility which will consist of nine new classrooms, working areas and toilet facilities.College Estates Manager Peter Hammond said: “We’re delighted to have been able to commence the construction on time and look forward to having a fantastic facility up and running in time for the start of the new academic year in September.”

The new facility will be used by students studying Early Years and Health and Social Care programmes which have seen a considerable increase in numbers over the years.

Principal Ray Goy added: “The number of students in these areas continues to increase and we need to make sure students have great facilities. This is another step towards realising our ambition of first class facilities for Henley College student.