Curo has decided to stop its comprehensive redevelopment of the Foxhill Housing Estate and will not now be going in for major demolition and rebuilding.
The news – that Curo would be exploring refurbishment instead – was given to residents today in a letter from the organisation.
B&NES has meanwhile issued a statement saying it is aware that the organisation has taken the decision to stop their comprehensive regeneration and is looking instead to explore with their tenants options for refurbishing the existing social housing on the site.
The Council statement continues: “We understand that Curo has committed to focusing significant investment in the refurbishment of existing Curo-owned homes over the next few years – to help deliver improvements to their tenants in Foxhill more quickly.
As the local planning authority, the Council has always taken a balanced view to this project. However, the Council has always made it clear that it supports improvements to the quality of housing for local people, delivered in a way that has the broadest possible support amongst the Foxhill community, and the Council has made significant efforts to facilitate better communication between Curo and local residents. This has included working with residents and Curo to develop the Foxhill Charter and taking the lead in the successful application to Government for Housing Zone status.
The Council, therefore, remains committed to the principles of improved housing and investment in the area, providing increased opportunities for residents in Foxhill.
We hope that Curo will take the opportunity to take stock of the situation and that they will continue to engage with their residents to give them more certainty over the future of the estate.
The Council will look at the implications of Curo’s decision in more detail over the coming weeks.”
The Mulberry Park development is not affected by this decision.
