Revamp for ‘faded’ Dines Green gets go-ahead (From Worcester News)

Revamp for ‘faded’ Dines Green gets go-ahead

1:40pm Monday 22nd October 2012 in News By Tom Edwards

A MULTI-MILLION-pound transformation of Dines Green has been approved by Worcester City Council.

Twenty-seven plush homes, a shopping parade, youth centre and church were given the go-ahead by the planning committee, which described the overhaul as “fantastic” for the city.

Worcester Community Housing is revamping the whole estate over three phases in an £8.5 million investment.

The overall scheme, which now has complete approval, will see 51 new homes created from March next year to early 2015.

Councillor Paul Denham, speaking at the planning committee, said: “I really welcome this – Dines Green has tended to look a bit faded and beyond its time for a number of years now. Unless areas like this are improved, you end up in this cycle of decline, which we all want to avoid.

“I’m very encouraged by the standard of the new properties Worcester Community Housing is creating in the city already. It’s win-win for all concerned.”

Councillor Alan Amos said: “I strongly support this – let’s get on with it now.”

Under the plan, an existing Co-op store will be renovated and the existing St Michael’s Church and youth centre will be demolished and replaced with entirely new buildings.

A row of six shops will be created off Gresham Road which will host new retailers, and new flats will be built in two levels along the upper floors, along with parking.

The new homes elsewhere will be a mixture of sizes for single people, couples and families.

The former Mayflower pub and some existing shops will also be demolished under the project.

Councillor David Tibbutt, a former city mayor, said: “It will undoubtably be an improvement on what’s there – it’s an enormous improvement compared to some other developments we’ve seen.”

The committee unanimously backed the revamp.

After the meeting, Stewart Mountfield, chief executive of Worcester Community Housing, said: “The support we have received from our customers, the city council and the community in Dines Green has been overwhelming and our thanks go to all concerned. This brings our new investment proposals in Worcester to almost £15 million in the last year.

“This is on top of an additional £24 million over the last four years that has delivered 206 new affordable homes.”

Worcester News comment here.