Member Article

Thurnscoe sustainability project recognised in national housing awards

A major project to regenerate a Thurnscoe estate was recently shortlisted for a prestigious national sustainability award.

The Thurnscoe Alliance, a partnership between Keepmoat Homes, Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, Chevin Housing Association, Berneslai Homes and local community stakeholders including schools and local groups, have been working together to build on existing community relationships and promote the village of Thurnscoe. This is part of the regeneration of the former Reema Estate, which was demolished as part of a multi-million pound regeneration project.

Although they did not win, the partnership was shortlisted in the ‘Sustainable Housing Partnership of the Year’ category at the Sustainable Housing Awards, which took place at the Lancaster London Hotel last Friday (October 18).

The regeneration project, which began in 2006 with the demolition of 190 poor-quality homes, will see 875 houses built over the next 15 years in the Thurnscoe area.

The scheme has also improved the lives of local people in other innovative ways. A total of £100,000 has been allocated as part of the Keepmoat Community Fund, which was set up when the partnership was formed, to support local charities and community groups across the area. Phase 1 of the development comprises of 160 new homes and has allocated £18,000 of funding to this phase, so far £8,000 of funding has been gifted to local organisations within the village to organisations such as the Local History Group, Houghton Road Community Centre and Gr8 M8’s Youth Club.

Sarah Booth, Assistant Partnerships Manager at Keepmoat and a prominent member of the alliance, said: “The Thurnscoe Alliance is not only transforming the local area, it works with the community to impart real change, whether that is through the Keepmoat Community Fund or through the homes that will provide a better quality of living to hundreds of local people.

“The fact that we were shortlisted for such a prestigious award is testament to our hard work and determination and we look forward to building and regenerating Thurnscoe for many years to come

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Craig Downs .