SHEERWATER REGENERATION

COMMUNITY CHARTER

VERSION 1: JANUARY 2015

British Property Federation (BPF)Tel: 0207 828 0111Web Site: www.bpf.org.uk

Community Legal Service (CLS)Tel 0845 345 4345Website: www.communitylegaladvice.org.uk

Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG)Tel: 0303 444 0000Web Site: www.communities.gov.uk

Law SocietyMulti-party Action Information Services: 0870 606 2522Website: www.lawsociety.org.uk

National Association of Citizens Advice Bureaux (NACAB)Website: www.citizensadvice.org.uk

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)Compulsory Purchase Helpline: 0870 333 1600Website: www.rics.org

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)Tel: 0207 929 9494Website: www.rtpi.org.uk

Town and Country Planning Association (TCPA)Tel: 0207 930 8903Website: www.tpca.org.uk

Valuation Office Agency (VOA)Tel: 03000 561 700Website: www.voa.gov.uk

Woking Borough Council (WBC)Tel: 01483 75855Website: www.woking.gov.uk

USEFUL CONTACTS

WE ARE DELIGHTED TO LAUNCH OUR COMMUNITY CHARTER FOR THE SHEERWATER REGENERATION

The regeneration of Sheerwater Estate provides an excellent opportunity to use the existing sense of community to help develop a thriving, balanced and sustainable community for the future. The regeneration will allow local people of all ages to benefit from high quality new homes, first class community, leisure, retail facilities and a green and healthy environment. The regeneration of Sheerwater will also provide economic benefits for local people and businesses, by offering local jobs and ensuring that much of the money spent on the project is spent with local companies.

We will provide a wide range of house types that will ensure a choice of modern, spacious, energy efficient homes that are economic to maintain and flexible enough to satisfy diverse and changing needs. We will provide homes for social rent, affordable rent, shared ownership, and outright sale to create a properly balanced community.

We will work with you to maintain local community links and ensure that as many residents as possible can remain living in Sheerwater should they wish to.

A new attractive local centre will provide you with convenient access to everyday shops, services and local community facilities ensuring that there is a genuine choice of shopping, services and social spaces right at the heart of the community. We will improve transport connections and increase parking provision around the local centre to increase connectivity, boost trade, protect local businesses and enhance the vibrancy of the estate.

We will improve recreation and play facilities providing a new leisure centre, new sports pitches and improved play facilities for young people and teenagers, to increase leisure options and improve health and wellbeing. We will maximise the potential of green and open space, protecting existing trees and wildlife and utilising new lighting and landscaping to create safe and accessible social spaces that can be enjoyed by the whole community.

The regeneration will create new jobs and training opportunities for local people and maximise investment in the local economy. This will make Sheerwater a place where people want to live and work for many years to come.

We recognise that the existing community has a key role to play in planning the new Sheerwater. By listening to you, responding to your needs and keeping our promises we can together create an environment in which individuals, communities and businesses thrive.

CREATING A SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITY

Councillor David Bittleston Woking Borough Council

How we will do business...

How we will deliver locally...

EXCELLENCEWe will consistently

do the best we can to deliver the right

results for residents and stakeholders

INTEGRITYWe will work in an honest and ethical way, always doing

what is right, collectively and as

individuals

TRUSTWe will do what we say we will do and provide confidence that we can satisfy your expectations

RESPECTWe will be courteous and give due regard

to the feelings, wishes and rights of others

ENGAGEMENTWe will listen to local people to find out what matters to them, communicating honestly and

openly

ACTIVE INVOLVEMENTWe will work in partnership with local people, community groups, occupiersand other key stakeholders, building

long-term relationships

EMPOWERMENTWe will support our staff and

supply chain partners to engage with the local community

OUR APPROACH

“WE RECOGNISE THAT THE EXISTING COMMUNITY HAS A KEY ROLE TO PLAY IN PLANNING THE NEW SHEERWATER. BY LISTENING TO YOU, RESPONDING TO YOUR NEEDS, AND KEEPING OUR PROMISES WE CAN TOGETHER CREATE AN ENVIRONMENT IN WHICH INDIVIDUALS, COMMUNITIES AND BUSINESSES THRIVE.”

(Councillor David Bittleston)

1. Personal Engagement We will talk to you individually and gain an understanding of your personal circumstances and requirements in relation to the regeneration

2. An Open and Transparent Approach We will be open and honest in our approach and we will provide information that is clear and easy to understand

3. Regular Communication and Feedback All members of the community will have opportunities to provide feedback and give their views

4. Independent Advice Independent advice will be available free of charge to all residents and businesses who are directly affected by the regeneration

5. Older People and Vulnerable Support Additional consideration will be given to older and vulnerable residents

6. Housing We will provide a mix of high quality, new homes to create a sustainable community and allow as many residents as possible to remain in Sheerwater should they wish to

7. Services We will provide high quality community, leisure and retail facilities that meet the long term needs of the Sheerwater Community

8. Environment We will protect trees and wildlife and ensure that the community has access to open space and play facilities throughout the regeneration process

9. Accessibility We will upgrade public and sustainable transport links, and improve parking provision to create a safe, accessible and thriving community

10. Social and Economic Investment We will deliver training, employment, and education opportunities for local people and will encourage investment in the local economy

OUR COMMITMENTS...

•

4. Independent advice will be available free of charge to all residents and businesses who are directly affected by the regeneration

5. Additional consideration will be given to older and vulnerable residents and extra support provided as required

• We will meet you on an individual basis

• We will help you to understand how the regeneration will affect you

• We will understand your housing needs

• We will answer your questions truthfully and in as much detail as we can

• If we can’t answer straight away we will come back to you as soon as we can

• We will understand any additional care and support requirements you may have

• We will understand your housing preferences

• We will respond to your queries or concerns

• We will use a clear language that is easy to understand

• We will provide information in a variety of formats to suit your

individual needs

• We will host consultation events where you can keep up to speed with progress and provide feedback

• We will provide a regeneration website where you can access all of the latest project information

• We will circulate newsletters on a regular basis to notify you of

progress and forthcoming events• You will be able to contact us at any

time using our dedicated phone number or email address

• We will offer the services of Independent Advisors to make

sure that you fully understand your rights and what to expect at each stage of the regeneration process

• We will reimburse any reasonable costs associated with your

independent advice

• We will engage with you, your family and/or your carers to fully understand your needs• We will help you to maintain your

independence and give you extra time and support to make

informed decisions

• We will ensure your care and support needs are met throughout

the process• We will do our best to ensure you

remain close to your friends, relatives and community facilites

2. We will be open and honest in our approach and we will provide information that is clear and easy to understand

3. All members of the community will have opportunities to provide feedback and give their views

1. We will talk to you

individually and gain an understanding of your personal circumstances and requirements in relation to the regeneration

6. We will provide a mix of high quality, new homes designed to meet modern standards, create a sustainable community and allow as many residents as possible to remain on Sheerwater

• We will provide homes that can accommodate you and your family

• The new homes will have a variety of different layouts that will satisfy your housing, care, support and cultural needs

• Homes will be built to best practice quality standards to maximise your comfort and minimise maintenance costs

• Homes will be built to high sustainability standards and wil be

energy efficient to reduce your fuel bills

...AND WHAT THEY MEAN IN PRACTICE

9. We will upgrade public and sustainable transport links, and improve parking provision to create a safe, accessible and thriving community

10. We will deliver training, employment, and education opportunities for local people and will encourage investment in the local economy

• We will provide new facilities and services which meet your needs right at the heart of the community

• We will improve access to leisure facilities and provide a new leisure centre to meet your recreation needs

• We will create a new retail hub around the ASDA store improving your shopping and social

experiences• We will ensure that your new facilities are provided prior to removal of any existing services

• We will maintain the green and leafy feel of the estate to continue your enjoyment of the local

landscape• We will protect existing high value

trees and landscaping

• We will protect existing wildlife and their habitats

• We will improve quality and access of open space which will be safe and overlooked

• We will provide new play facilities for your children

• We will create a new high street which makes it easier for you to access all of the new community facilities

• We will encourage the bus companies to provide new bus

routes which give you better links to local towns

• Better parking options will address the issue of cars parked on verges and green space and improve the image of Sheerwater

• We will improve the street layout to make the estate more pedestrian friendly and reduce speeding

motorists• We will create training and job opportunities as part of the regeneration proposals• We will advertise all jobs locally

and support you and your families with any job applications

• We will work with the schools and local agencies to provide education opportunities and improve your skills

• We will use as many local companies as possible to deliver the

works

7. We will provide high quality community, leisure and retail facilities that meet the long term needs of the Sheerwater community

8. We will protect trees and wildlife and ensure that the community has access to open space and play

facilities throughout the regeneration process

Managing ChangeWe will ensure that as many people as possible can move from their existing properties directly into their new homes. However it may be necessary for a small number of residents to move into a temporary decant property prior to occupying their new home. Whether one or two moves are required the Council and New Vision Homes (NVH) are committed to making the process as smooth as possible for residents.

A dedicated Housing Officer and an NVH Resident Liaison Officer will individually assist you throughout the entire process.

Re-housing PlanAll residents currently living in Sheerwater will be given a minimum of 12 months notice before they have to move.

A re-housing plan will be finalised and shared with residents after planning permission has been secured and the construction programme has been confirmed. This document will be regularly updated during construction and NVH will communicate any changes to residents in a timely manner.

Helping you to move to a new homeWe will have one-to-one discussions with you to ensure that your individual needs and requirements are dealt with sensitively and in an appropriate manner.

All residents affected by the regeneration programme will have access to independent advice funded by the Council throughout the regeneration project.

We will develop show homes for residents who are moving house within the regeneration area. This will allow you to see and appreciate the size, layout and quality of the new properties.

Should you wish to move away from the regeneration area we will help you to identify and secure a suitable property. We will provide independent advice and support to ensure you are properly compensated during the acquisition and relocation process.

We will offer access to an organised moving package which will include securing preferential rates with local removal companies, support with packing and provision of specialist boxes and crates.

We will provide assistance with paperwork associated with the move and help you to contact service providers such as telephone, electricity, gas, water etc.

We will offer additional support to older and vulnerable residents where needed.

MANAGING CHANGE

High quality design will ensure the regeneration of Sheerwater provides homes that meet modern design and environmental standards, as well as creating the best possible place for people to live, work and play.

Housing• All new homes will be built to high sustainability standards and will utilise robust materials and

components that minimise long term maintenance costs• All new homes will be designed to include high acoustic standards to maximise comfort for residents• All new homes will contain high levels of thermal insulation and will utilise renewable energy technology

to maximise energy efficiency and reduce fuel bills • All homes will have built-in storage space suitable for the size of household• All new homes will have access to secure private amenity space such as balconies, gardens,

courtyards and roof terraces• All new affordable housing will designed to Lifetime Homes standards, ensuring they are spacious and

adaptable to satisfy changing personal needs• All new affordable housing will be designed to satisfy local policy and national Government standards for

design quality and room sizes, such as the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) Housing Quality Indicators (HQI)

• All new affordable housing will be designed to satisfy Secured by Design standards• Both open plan and traditional layouts will be available to suit the diverse needs of the community• Accommodation will be specifically designated for older and vulnerable residents and will be capable of

addressing current and future housing, care and support needs

Community Infrastructure• Street layouts will be clearly defined and will connect places to encourage pedestrian movement, aid way

finding, and optimise access to community facilities and open space • A mixture of lighting and landscaping will be used to create attractive street scenes• Traffic calming measures will be used to control vehicle speed and ensure pedestrians and cyclists have

priority over motor vehicles• The location and management of parking spaces will aid the security of parked vehicles• Retaining mature trees and habitats will maximise ecological value and enhance green environments• High quality landscaping will be used to maximise visual appeal, enjoyment and long-term durability• Building heights and external appearance will vary across Sheerwater to create individual character

within streets and neighbourhoods• Affordable and private housing will be fully integrated within the design• Residential blocks will be designed to provide natural surveillance of public and private amenity space • The new community facilities will be designed to address the needs of the whole community, providing a

range of multi-use spaces within mixed use buildings• Community facilities will be designed with adequate car parking provision and will be well connected to

public transport, ensuring they are easily accessible for all user groups• The new leisure centre will be a landmark building serving the schools and the local community. It will be

designed to include a new swimming pool, flexible indoor sports facilities, gym, studio space, and high quality playing fields that can be used all year round

• Retail units will be designed to create an attractive frontage onto a pedestrianised public square. A range of unit sizes will be available to reflect the requirements of existing and new businesses

HIGH QUALITY DESIGN

Respecting the Community

� Inform, respect and show courtesy to those affected by the regeneration proposals

� Minimise the impact of deliveries and parking on accessibility and the public highway

� Contribute to and support the local economy � Create a positive and enduring impression

Securing Everyone’s Safety

� Attain the highest levels of safety performance using systems that care for the public, visitors and our workforce

� Minimise security risks to neighbours � Adopt initiatives for continuous safety

improvement � Embed attitudes and behaviours that enhance

safety performance

Caring about Appearance

� Maintain a high quality image of the site and the estate throughout the construction works

� Ensure our site is organised, clean and tidy � Enhance the appearance of facilities, stored

materials, vehicles and plant � Ensure our workforce maintain a professional

image and appearance

Protecting and Enhancing the Environment

� Identify manage and promote environmental issues

� Deliver sustainable solutions that minimise waste, carbon footprint and resources

� Minimise the impact of vibration, and air, light and noise pollution

� Protect the local ecology, landscape, wildlife, vegetation and water courses

Valuing our Workforce

� Provide a workplace where everyone is respected, treated fairly, encouraged and supported

� Identify personal development needs and promote training

� Care for the health and wellbeing of our workforce

� Provide and maintain high welfare standards

We Will...

Ensure that our contractor completes all construction work with maximum consideration for surrounding neighbours and the local community. They will register and be assessed in accordance with the Considerate Constructors Scheme, a nationally recognised set of standards for safety and behaviour associated with construction activities.

CONSIDERATE CONSTRUCTION

Affordable Rent: Housing let by local authorities or private registered providers of social housing to households who are eligible for social rented housing. Affordable Rent is subject to rent controls that require a rent of no more than 80 per cent of the local market rent (including service charges, where applicable).

Basic Loss Payment: Under the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, property investors who meet the qualifications can claim a Basic Loss Payment. This payment is calculated at 7.5% of the value of the market value of an interest up to a maximum sum of £75,000.

Choice Based Lettings (CBL): Rather than allocating households from the Housing Register and matching them to a vacancy, Choice Base Lettings allows applicants to bid for suitable properties they are interested in on an internet-based system called ‘Hometrack’. This allows applicants to see what homes are available, giving them the opportunity to express choice and preference in choosing a suitable new home.

Compensation Code: A collective term for the principles, derived from Acts of Parliament and case law, relating to compensation for compulsory acquisition.

Compulsory Purchase: A procedure put in place by an Acquiring Authority (such as a Council) to acquire some land or property in order to facilitate public infrastructure projects.

Disturbance Payment: Compensation you are able to claim if you are forced to move from your home in certain circumstances. Disturbance payments are intended to cover the expenses of moving. Disturbance is usually only available to occupiers of the property. The actual level of compensation will vary from claim to claim and is dependent upon the claimant’s specific circumstances. A claimant has a duty to mitigate his/her loss.

Engagement: An active, ongoing and informed joint working, including people in decision making processes and working together to implement change. The process is designed to give communities an opportunity to contribute to local decision-making and service delivery.

Home Loss Payment: If you are a qualifying occupant of a residential property, you may be entitled to a Home Loss Payment that equates to 10% of the market value of your interest, subject to a minimum payment of £4,900 and a maximum of £49,000. Residential tenants may qualify for the minimum payment of £4,900.

Housing Allocations Scheme: The formal policy, adopted by the Council, to ensure that housing need, is aligned with the current and future availability of social and affordable housing in the borough. Copies of this policy can be obtained by contacting the Council.

Independent Tenants Adviser: Independent, impartial and informed advice, from a qualified organisation to ensure tenants have the information they need to make informed decisions on all issues affecting their homes and lives.

Priority Status: Once an application for rehousing is received by WBC it will be prioritised into one of five bands from A to E. ‘Band B’, known as Priority Status, is the highest level of priority under the Council’s Choice Based Lettings System and is used to facilitate vital moves. Band A is for emergencies only.

Resident Leaseholder or Freeholder: To qualify for a home-loss payment you must have lived in the dwelling as your main residence, for a period of not less than one year ending with the day you have to move out. Your interest or right to occupy the property must be either freehold, leasehold, statutory tenancy or restricted contract under the Rent Act 1977.

Social Rent: Social rented housing is owned by local authorities and private registered providers, for which guideline target rents are determined through the national rent regime.

Vulnerable: A person in need of special care, support or protection because of age, disability or risk of abuse or neglect. 

GLOSSARY