The partnership driving the 15-year transformation of Camp Hill from one of Warwickshire and the UK’s most impoverished areas into a thriving community has received national recognition at the prestigious Community Partnership Awards 2010.
Evolved from the Sustainable Communities Awards and in association with the Local Government Chronicle and Health Service Journal, the awards recognise the achievements of community partnerships.
Winners were announced at an award ceremony last night (4 February 2010) at the Grosvenor House Hotel, London.
Nominated in two categories, Pride in Camp Hill Limited won for Best Housing, Construction and Infrastructure and was honoured in particular for its partnership working and high quality and design housing developments.
Chris Egan, Pride in Camp Hill Programme Manager, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the award as recognition for all the hard work over the last couple of years by everyone involved in the project. The standard amongst all the award winners was extremely high and our success this evening reflects our partnership commitment to deliver at the very highest level”.
Peter Young, Pride in Camp Hill chairman, said: “It is fantastic to gain recognition for the area and for the hard work the team, partners and residents have put into the project.
“Resident involvement is at the heart of everything we do and every decision we make. It is the residents who make this project truly unique. This award is for them as much as Pride in Camp Hill”.
Advantage West Midlands is investing £4.9 million in the latest phase of the project, as part of a total investment of £13.5 million in Camp Hill.
A total of £8.2 million will eventually be invested into the scheme through the Homes and Communities Agency’s National Affordable Housing Programme, further to £3.1 million already invested by the HCA in the wider Camp Hill area.
Philip Roberts, Partnerships Director at Advantage West Midlands, said: "This latest accolade is excellent news for Pride in Camp Hill, which is undoubtedly one of the most impressive regeneration projects in the Region and country – having also won a position on the 2009 list of top 100 regeneration projects nationally.
"The way the regeneration activity links in with the community sets a real example for how agencies should view social and economic regeneration.
"The enthusiasm and passion of Nuneaton is exceptional and everybody who has been involved in the regeneration of Camp Hill should be congratulated again for their efforts.
“The achievement is further evidence that Advantage West Midlands is investing in projects and programmes that have the highest impact.
“Advantage West Midlands’ unique position as a business like and business led organisation with strong relationships across the range of key agencies, such as local authorities, allows us to bring together the private and public sectors to help deliver these major projects.
“In the case of Camp Hill, Advantage West Midlands and its partners have been able to deliver what is one in a number of projects that are critical to the regeneration of the West Midlands.”
Lovell regional director David Gough said: “The Lovell team has worked on two phases of the regeneration of Camp Hill. The project’s success at these important awards is an achievement which highlights the commitment and work of the local community and of all the partners involved with this major community regeneration programme.”
Paul Spooner, Regional Director for the Homes and Communities Agency, said; “HCA is a close delivery partner of Pride in Camp Hill and we are delighted that they have received this accolade for their work. Their commitment to high quality design, combined with their community involvement work is excellent.”
The Pride in Camp Hill partnership consists of a host of organisations including Advantage West Midlands, Coventry Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council, the Prince's Foundation and residents and businesses in the area.
For more information about Pride in Camp Hill visit: www.prideincamphill.co.uk
For more information about the Community Partnerships Awards visit: www.communitypartnershipsawards.co.uk