A multi-million pound regeneration programme to create a new heart for the Oxmoor area of Huntingdon has won an award for Community Planning.
Huntingdonshire District Council picked up the award at the annual Royal Town Planning Institute’s national awards, which took place last week. The award was for the partnership work that under pinned the regeneration plan for Oxmoor – The Oxmoor Action Plan.
The judges who visited the area seemed impressed not only with the plan itself but how quickly it was implemented. Comments were made on the transformation and how residents are really seeing and feeling the difference with pride being restored into the Oxmoor area once again.
The new heart for Oxmoor plan has established a new Oak Tree Centre, the result of a unique partnership between the council, the Primary Care Trust and the doctors at the Acorn surgery, which the new health centre replaces.
Also part of the scheme is a neighbourhood centre with smart new shops with community facilities above, now occupied by Hunts Forum for Voluntary Services and other community groups. 300 family homes, a mixture for low cost ownership and affordable rent also form part of the programme. Improved green open spaces –notably the new Conygear community park and environmental improvements, providing a cleaner, safer and greener environment for people to enjoy.
The regeneration programme led by the council is being put in place with support from a number of partners including Cambridgeshire County Council, Luminus Group, PCT, John Martin and Associates, the local community itself and The Oxmoor Community Action Group.
Malcolm Sharp, Director of Operational Services at Huntingdonshire District Council said, “One of the most important factors in the project’s success was the partner-wide commitment to integrate spatial and community planning under the heading Local People Shaping Their Future, this approach enabled us to respond to community wishes.”
He added, “The programme has brought extensive changes to the facilities available, which has resulted in a changed perception of Oxmoor by the wider public”.
Councillor Nick Guyatt, executive councillor for planning strategy at the time the Oxmoor Action Plan was prepared said, “I am delighted that we have received this award and what we are doing at Oxmoor has been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute. It is a fine programme, an excellent example of partners working together with the local community to bring real benefits and improvements to the quality of life of people who live in the area.”