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About Churchview

History

The original Bluehouse Estate was constructed of light  pre-cast concrete blocks (Siporex) based on a Swedish design enabling speedy and cost effective construction. The  estate of 880 homes suffered from problems of poor design, structural defects, high maintenance and high void levels.The buildings began to show signs of deterioration within a few years through a combination of clay heave and corroding construction bolts caused by rain penetration. A partial decant of properties became necessary in order to carry out remedial work. This directly  impacted on the local primary school which as a result faced the threat of closure through the loss of over half the pupil numbers.

 

Bluehouse Residents Committee established itself to press for a more radical  change to the design  and living conditions for their area.

 

Before the ‘secure by design’ concept was introduced through the regeneration crime was increasing within the area.

 

   

In 1994, the estate underwent a  6 year phased demolition and rebuild programme of its 880 former Commission for New Towns managed properties.  £41 million  was allocated through the Housing Corporation to the newly formed Basildon Community Housing Association for the regeneration to be completed following a Building Research Establishment report condemning the properties.
 
After BCHA's selection, there followed a period of extensive consultation with tenants and their representatives from the Bluehouse Resident Committee.  The consultation involved a series of presentations to all stakeholders.  Exhibitions were arranged, allowing tenants to choose their preferred house types and house layouts, and their views on the new estate layout were also obtained. As a result of tenant surveys highlighting the need to retain the existing space standards room sizes were modelled on the original ‘Parker Morris’ standard together with the provision of garages and driveways to the new properties.
 

The first phase involved the creation of initial feeder sites located off Manor Road, Laindon and in Vange for tenants to move into, whilst the first phase of demolitions and new build took place.  There followed four subsequent phases involving further demolition and new build, with tenants decanting on site until their new home was available.

The construction process took six years and  involved the demolition of the  880 units and the building of 707 new homes. The final unit was completed in April 2000 and the estate being re-named Churchview. 

During the construction period there were monthly meetings with the  Resident Committee and the contractor.  Local Authority and community representatives (e.g. the local police) would also attend from time-to-time.  The Resident Committee had an office on site, and direct communication links with the contractor to fast-track responses to problems/minor defects in the new homes, etc. 

The Bluehouse Residents Committee  evolved into the Churchview Residents Association which was established in November 2000.    

                            


     Neighbourhood Resource Building ( ‘All About Centre’)

Monies were originally allocated by the local housing association towards providing a community resource building for the residents of  the Churchview estate.  However, a subsequent  survey of residents needs undertaken in 2003 found a need for a building that would serve the wider Laindon community. This was borne out by a further survey of neighbouring estates undertaken by the local authority which  identified a local need  for access to creche facilities, advice surgeries and meeting rooms and was to form the key objectives of the community resource project.

Further exploratory meetings to discuss the design requirements   and future management of the project took place involving local residents' groups/ associations, Surestart, Basildon Community Housing Association and Basildon Council, community development officers and representatives of James Hornsby High School. The school,  with agreement of the Local Education Authority identified appropriate land within the school grounds to site the building.  A consultation and exhibition event was organised at the school for residents to comment on the design proposals which incorporated a secure neighbourhood nursery funded by Essex County Council. Single Regeneration Budget (SRB) funding was secured for the community resource section of the building. The building was officially opened on 14 March 2005 by 'Bob the Builder' creator Keith Chapman  an ex-pupil of the school. A management committee comprised of local residents' association representatives, Community Development Officers and ward Councillors ,  has been formed to oversee the  running of the building. The building has been designed to be  disabled friendly providing low cost creche facilities, access to confidential health advice and job search through Job centre Plus. The school provides free morning mother and toddler swimming sessions. Community groups have access to office and meeting room facilities including IT equipment and photocopying. 

    

Essex County Council:  Surestart and the Neighbourhood Nursery programme

Sure Start is a Government programme which aims to achieve better outcomes for children, parents and communities by:

  • increasing the availability of childcare for all children
  • improving health and emotional development for young children
  • supporting parents in their aspirations towards employment.

The policies and programmes of Sure Start apply only in England with responsibility for early education and childcare in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland resting with  separate devolved administrations.

The Neighbourhood Nursery programme was introduced in 2001 to narrow the gap in childcare provision between the most disadvantaged areas of the country and their more affluent communities’ counterparts.

It aimed to create 45,000 new high quality, accessible and affordable, full day care places for children under 5 in the poorest areas of England. Many of these areas had little or no childcare. The target was achieved by end August 2004 and the programme has now officially ended.

The full time childcare offered in the nursery is integrated with nursery education and support services to families, including training for parents.

 

           Basildon Council

Co-ordinated the project  and continue to provide administrative  assistance and community development support. Local councillors also sit on the Neighbourhood Centre’s management  committee. 

 

Police

The Neighbourhood Policing Team attend local residents’ association meetings held at the Centre and have established monthly police and residents surgeries ( Neighbourhood Action Panels).

 

Residents’ Groups

Resident representatives from Five Links and Churchview estates serve on the management committee. Churchview Residents’ Association provided a further £10,000  to provide the security alarm system, computers and office equipment for the community resource section of the building.

 

 


Regeneration

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Location

 
Description

Map of Churchview 

 
Subpages (1): Funding