Portsmouth and Havant

With Groundwork’s offices in Gosport being just a short ferry ride from Portsmouth, and with the proximity of towns like Havant, Groundwork has been keen to be active in these urban centres. Steps have already been taken to engage in these areas, and it is Groundwork Solent’s intention to expand into these areas in the coming years.

Northam Street, Portsmouth

Photo : Northam Street launch party Photo : New paving at Northam street In 2005/06 through partnership with the Landport Improvement Group, Portsmouth City Council Departments and Colas, Groundwork Solent project managed the transformation of a pedestrianised walkway at Northam St in Portsmouth.

Northam St walkway was a dilapidated but busy pedestrian route, running between a junior and infant school, a church and a community centre. The area was suffering from neglect with deterioration of both the paving and street furniture. Poor natural surveillance was a key concern with dense vegetation and dark corners adding to the fear of crime, heightened by a series of crime incidents in the location.

Between March 2005 and the end of July 2005 Groundwork Solent consulted with a wide range of local groups to establish the exact nature of the problems associated with the site and the desired improvements which the community wanted to see. Groups involved included pupils and parents at Arundel Court Infant and Junior schools who created 3D models of what they wanted to see in the walkway as part of a school geography project; young people shared their thoughts and ideas through liaising with the Youth Affairs Unit (the groups also created designs for the central mosaic paving area); local residents living in the surrounding areas were invited to a series of public meetings; and liaison and advice was sought from the local police and community wardens.

Groundwork Solent took the responses from the consultation and worked with Portsmouth City Council‘s Landscape Architect Team to redesign and transform the area using their highways contractors, Colas. Not only has the site been physically and visually transformed to be a beautiful and inviting space, but the spirit, morale and confidence of the local people using the site daily has been lifted. Finally, pupils from the local junior school are designing mosaic artwork to decorate the ‘wibbly wobbly’ benches, all of which culminating in a final street party to celebrate the project’s success.

Michael Crook Close and Applewood Road, Havant

Michael Crook Close and Applewood Road comprise two developments off Hulbert Road, Havant. The priority is to improve the open space and landscaped areas of Michael Crook close and, where possible, to extend this work to include Applewood Road, a more recent development leading on from Michael Crook close.

The estate provides mainly family housing and a need has been identified for creating more useable communal spaces which include some form of play provision as well as encouraging greater ownership and community responsibility for looking after the estate. There are a number of young people in the area and the police are aware and involved in dealing with some issues of antisocial behaviour on the estate. There are local parks fairly nearby but all require crossing main roads making them unsuitable for younger children to visit without supervision.

Groundwork Solent has been commissioned to perform a consultation on site to determine how residents would like to see the area improved. An estate clean up day was held and allowed us to engage and consult with residents and gave residents a chance to get involved and take responsibility for their estate. The consultation was supported by some initial sketch designs showing potential improvements to the small open space areas and boundaries.

Following this consultation, Groundwork Solent is writing a funding bid to obtain funds to implement proposed improvements.