Guidance on

Interpretationof the WHQSEnvironmentalStandard

This Guidance has been produced by TPAS Cymru andGroundwork Wales and is part of a suite of documentsincluding:• Report on the Scope and Implementation of the

Environmental Standard of WHQS;• Case Studies of approaches to business planning

and implementation of the environmental standard;• Abstract from the Literature Review -

Guidance on Environmental Improvements.

These documents are available from:www.tpascymru.org.uk orwww.groundworkwales.org.uk

Or contact:TPAS Cymru, Transport House, 1 Cathedral Rd.,Cardiff, CF11 9SDTel: 02920 237303

Groundwork Wales, Unit G5, The Willowford,Treforest Industrial Estate, Pontypridd, CF37 5YLTel: 01443 844866

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Contents Page

Executive Summary

1. The WHQ Requirements 4

2. Interpretation 6

3. The process 7

4. The Elements for Environmental Improvements 10

InterpretationoftheWHQSEnvironmentalStandard

NewIdeasFund

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1. The WHQS Requirement

The environmental standard for theWelsh Housing Quality Standard(WHQS) states:Located in Attractive and SafeEnvironments

“All homes should be located in anenvironment to which residents canrelate and in which they can be proudto live.”

WAG good practice advice issued with theWHQS 1 is divided under 2 headings:

• Local Environment – concerned withdefensible space, boundaries and fencing.

• General Environment – which includes a list ofcharacteristics and examples which would orcould be included in a good environment.

This list is provided below to emphasize that thescope of environmental improvements is widerthan some landlords have considered.

• Landmarks – new trees or street furniture.

• Symbolic entrance to a small group of houses.

• Variation to elevation or colour.

• Traffic calming.

• Improvements to street lighting.

• Rationalising pedestrian routes.

• Accessible roads and footpaths providingsafety for residents, pedestrians and children.

• Practical, maintainable soft and hardlandscaping with planting in protectedlocations.

• Adequate and effective street lighting.• Adequate and safe play space for young

children.

• Adequate, practical and maintainablecommunal areas.

• Clear dwelling identification and boundaries.

• Practically located and well identified utilityservices.

• Adequate car parking, practically located andclearly visible to residents.

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a good practice standard for those processes

The major problems identified by the researchproject into the environmental standard are that:

• Many landlords have taken a too narrow,technical interpretation of the environmentalstandard.

A limited selection of elements from the listabove have been chosen and professional,technical criteria applied to produce a plan andbudget which are restricted from the start andwhich will be a difficulty for subsequentconsultation with and participation ofcommunities.

• Often, environmental improvement needs andpriorities have not been systematicallyidentified and prioritised by residents andcommunities, neither has this systematicapproach formed the basis for business plancosts and action plan which makes the planand budget inadequate.

• The process of environmental improvementshas not been harnessed effectively towardobjectives of social inclusion, community prideand community regeneration.

Good quality practice in the interpretation andimplementation of the environmental standardwill have to overcome these barriers.To successfully achieve the environmentalstandard the community’s planning and designtime needs to be properly valued and resourcedto allow community-centred involvement. Thiswould ultimately reduce the costs of poor designand inadequate involvement and ownership of thedevelopments.

2. Interpretation

The key elements for interpretationof the environmental standard are:

• attractive• safe• can relate to• can feel proud.

All four key elements are very subjective andmust be based on the views and priorities ofresidents rather than being technically specifiedand professionally implemented.

This Guidance is based on the principle that onlyresidents can decide what mix of environmentelements works for them and makes them proudof their community. The features of theenvironment prioritised will be subjective andvariable between communities.

Limited, technically defined environmentalimprovements are likely to conflict with the widerperspectives and aspirations of residents, butthey also fail the wider aspirations whichunderpin WHQS and wider Welsh AssemblyGovernment objectives for social inclusion andcitizen engagement. The WHQS policy is explicitin seeing the expenditure and the processes ofhome and environmental improvement as servingthe aims of building greater communityengagement and social cohesion.

This is a problem for social landlords andprofessionals trying to achieve WHQS includingthe environmental standard because there will beno standard provision for environmentalimprovement. However, there can be standardprocesses undertaken with residents andcommunities to determine what their localenvironmental standard will be, and there can be

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1. Identify residents’ and community’aspirations and priorities forenvironmental improvements

• Consult residents and patch officers to agreetheir identification of community boundariesfor a local environmental standard.

• Identify any existing area environmentalsurveys or plans through cross departmentworking.

• Engage with relevant partnerships and widerplanning for environmental improvement andarea regeneration.

• Understand the area – increase communityunderstanding of function and constraints ofthe area, work with the planning departmentand community together to develop a vision.

• Prepare the brief for environmental work,incorporating aspirations and goals of thearea and involve the community in its design.

• Include identifying environmental standardpriorities in the briefs for the IndependentTenant Advisor and for the House(& Community) Condition Survey.

• Link with existing community organisationsand stakeholders to obtain their views andengage them in the process.

• Offer opportunities for representatives fromdifferent communities to visit other examplesof successful environmental improvements orto have visits from residents of successfulareas.

• Undertake any additional survey andconsultation work needed beyond any existingenvironmental surveys or plans, specific toeach identified community area.

• Develop a ‘local environmental standard forWHQS’ on an area basis reflecting thespecific concerns and priorities of thatcommunity.

Once residents are engaged with thequestion of improvement to their areaenvironment, their considerations willnot be limited to a restricted list ofelements. A whole range of differentissues and viewpoints are bound tobe expressed and an essential part ofthe process will be to enablecommunities to prioritise theiraspirations.

It is very likely that some of the aspirations willbe beyond the remit and funding of sociallandlords to achieve, and wider partnerships willbe necessary with wider authority and fundingresources.

Communities’ views must be taken on in theround - from residents’ holistic perspective ratherthan the fragmented perspective of differentorganisations’ responsibilities. Communitiesmust participate strongly in the planning anddecision making for improvements. Unless thisis done it is likely that any environmentalimprovements will not be ones that thecommunity relates to, feels proud of, and helpsto maintain and sustain.

The process recommended is one which followsgood practice identified in ‘It’s Our Space’, CABE.It should aim to achieve a local environmentalstandard for each community based on residents’views and priorities, and through which thecommunity is supported and resourced tobecome more self determining, confident andeffective.

3. The Process

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3. Use the process of planning forthe environmental standard toincrease resident and communityparticipation, and to channeladvice, support and training

• Use a range of interesting methods to engageresidents, and to include all sectors ofresidents, not just public meetings andsurveys eg planning for real, study visits.

• Develop area based environmental standardworking groups (or link to the environmentalsub-group in the case of Communities Firstareas) to inform and to contribute to thedesign of environmental improvements and toact as a conduit through which communitiescan feed into overall plans.

• Ensure in particular that disabled people areincluded early in planning and in reviewing andcommenting on plans to inform accessibility.

• Work with and support communityorganisations to play a role in design andconsultation processes. There are communitybased toolkits available to help demystifytechnical jargon.

• Consider how community associations couldbe contracted to carry out elements ofconsultation work within a long-termconsultation budget.

• Identify interest and opportunities forcommunity enterprises to deliver elements ofenvironmental improvement work ormaintenance, and mobilise support andtraining.

• Support and involve residents to project planthe implementation stage. This is often adifficult period for community residents whobecome frustrated during the compliance andstatutory stages of planning if they are notaware of the timescales and processes.

2. Cost the priority environmentalimprovements into the BusinessPlan for a realistic budget

• Develop sampling methods (types of problemsetc) to produce indicative costings that can beused across various communities.

• Involve residents and communityorganisations in prioritising environmentalimprovements, and in reviewing costings forinclusion in the Business Plan.

• Include long term maintenance costs in thebudget based on a range of deliverymechanisms from volunteers through to largescale contractors.

• Establish a small grant scheme within thebusiness plan costs for environmentalimprovements with devolved responsibility tolocal residents’ group or a joint residents/officers group for allocation of funds.

• Identify sources of funding for lower priorityschemes and/or elements that require longerterm provision eg use of land disposal to fundimprovements (increases flexibility in terms ofbudgeting and helps to clarify elements thatare in initial business plan and how longerterm projects can be funded).

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4. Implement with communityinvolvement to build sustainability

• Involve residents and area environmentalworking groups in deciding specifications forwork and appointing contractors with supportfrom technical officers.

• Support local groups with responsibility for thesmall grant scheme to establish open andtransparent systems to identify projects,allocate funds and monitor delivery.

• Involve schools and young people to identifyelements of environmental improvementsrelevant to them.

• Identify projects suitable for volunteers tocontribute to implementation– including schools, youth clubs, communityassociations etc.

• Consider how community associations couldbe contracted to carry out elements ofimplementation work, including through localcommunity group clauses to commercialcontracts.

• Identify partnership funding for works outsidethe landlord’s remit in collaboration with widerPartnerships and community planningstructures.

Monitor and Review

• Report back progress to residents throughnewsletters, community meetings etc.

• Provide mechanisms for residents andcommunity groups to report problems orcomplaints and build monitoring andevaluation into the remit of area basedgroups.

• Report regularly to area environmentalworking groups on detailed progress,problems, complaints and how they have beendealt with.

• Review area environmental plans periodically,linked to wider partnership plans asappropriate.

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4. The Elements ofEnvironmental Improvements

• Enhancements to open spacesA strategic approach to open space with thedevelopment of a hierarchy of parks: centralparks for use by people from a wide area anddevelopment of smaller pocket parks designedspecifically to meet the needs of local residents,using court yards and large open grass vergescurrently not in use.

Central parks include high quality play areas forolder children, with pocket parks including playfacilities for toddlers.

• Play provision, ‘Teen Zones’ and Multi-useGames Areas

There are good examples of installed equipmentand associated green space for supervisedprovision for play and activity for young and olderchildren. Again, involvement of the client groupand the wider members of the host community isessential and can add a positive dimension tothe amenity value and safety of the locality.

• Green routes; Loops, links and corridorsGreen routes are pedestrian/cycle routes throughthe area to increase access and encouragepeople to cycle and walk more, creatingwelcoming and safe walkways connecting keyfacilities to residential areas. Loops and Linksconnect communities and facilities to publictransport systems and main or arterial cyclewaynetworks.

• Gateways and entrances to the areaAn important initial visual consideration to anyhousing and public space development. Gooduse of materials or locally distinctivecharacteristics provide a good first impression ofthe area; encourage potential investment andhelp residents develop a stronger sense of place,pride and wellbeing in the area.

The range of considerations in possibleenvironmental improvement is very wide and thefollowing list illustrates the elements found in theprojects reviewed by the research. The list is notcomprehensive but equally not all elements arelikely to be included in any one community’s planfor environmental improvement. This list shouldbe read alongside the list of ‘generalenvironment’ improvements in existing WHQSguidance which includes more technical elementsabout lighting, utilities, parking and propertyboundaries.

• HomezonesThese are a design solution where pedestrians,cyclists and vehicles share the space on equalterms, therefore reducing the negative impact ofthe car and to create a more attractive and socialstreet scene.

• Street treesTrees can be used to visually enhance the streetscene and to screen poor views. They aid airquality by absorbing polluting gases; they can beused to buffer noise and to reduce the affect ofurban heat.

• Alley-GatingClosing off back lanes with gates to encouragethe enhancement of under utilised and abusedspace, give residents and children a secure areafor play and socialising.

• Enhancements to key featuresUsing a key feature such as a river or a boggyarea to highlight local character, improve accessand bring about opportunities for localinterpretation to the location.

• Wildlife and habitatsUtilising and protecting any areas of particularinterest highlights their value to the communitywhere it may not be readily evident. Linking withlocal biodiversity action plans and events willincrease learning and pride in the natural assetsof the area

• Community facilitiesCommunity infrastructure and facilities canprovide shared public space and opportunities forcommunity engagement and commitment. Anoutdoor element to the facilities can add to thephysical and visual impression of the area.These need consideration as part of thebusiness planning for the environmental elementof WHQS.

• Community artCan add to the identity of an area. Can becommunity produced or professional but must beagreed, supported and designed with involvementof the community

• Street furniture and signageBenches, planting and other features can providea connecting theme in the area and increaseidentity, as well as offering opportunities forsocial contact. They can also add to safety andoverview of areas

• Litter picksIncorporating litter picks and clean-ups intomanagement regimes or community actionimproves the feel and amenity value of the areaas well as improving safety.

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Guidance on the

Interpretation of theWHQS Environmental

Standard

Part of the family owned Wates Group,Wates Living Space is one of the UK’sleading affordable housing constructionservices companies. Working with RSLs,Local Authorities and ALMOs, we build orrefurbish more than 20,000 homes each yearthrough our locally based teams.

While creating high quality homes is our coreactivity our work is very much community based,aimed at creating sustainable communities ratherthan just decent homes, and improving thesupply and quality of affordable housing:

• In 2007 we became the first constructioncompany to develop and implement our ownResident Liaison training course; this courseis accredited by the CIH.

• Wates Living Space is currently undergoingthe assessment process for the TPAS PinpointQuality for Contractors Accreditation Schemein both England and Wales

• The Wates Building Futures programmefurthers our commitment to creatingsustainable communities by employing localpeople to carry out the WHQS works. The twoweek training programme aims to get the longterm unemployed back to work through theconstruction industry. In November 2007 thefirst Building Futures Programme in Wales washeld in Merthyr Tydfil in conjunction with theNeighbourhood Learning Centre.

• Wates initiated a research project withBusiness in the Community to produce the“Toolkit for Business- Building Opportunitiesfor Businesses and Social Landlords to worktogether”. The report examines best practicein how RSLs and Local Authorities can workwith businesses to benefit the localcommunity.

• Environmental objectives such as zero landfillwaste, sustainable timber sourcing andenergy efficiency help us to reduce our impacton the environment.

i2i is an Assembly Government projectproviding support to local authorities,tenants staff and councillors in the processof achieving the Welsh

Housing Quality Standard (WHQS).i2i’s key areas of activity are:

• WHQS support – helping tenants, staff andcouncillors to access clear and accurateinformation and take up opportunities tobecome more involved.

• Wider Housing issues – working with localauthorities to support local and regionalhousing strategies including the provision ofaffordable housing, tackling homelessness,providing housing with support andaddressing the needs of BME individuals andcommunities.

• WHQS Plus – maximising the opportunities forlocal investment, community benefit, training,jobs and small business development.

Although working primarily in the Heads of theValleys, i2i is committed to sharing its work withlocal authorities and tenants throughout Wales.

Proud to be Sponsored by:

Wates Group i2i