Compendium Group

26 August 2008

Thurnscoe residents were invited to have their say on ideas for a £100 million investment in the village.

The Compendium Group – a joint venture between Lovell and The Riverside Group – organised consultation events to discuss the proposals for the Reema estate and surrounding areas in Thurnscoe with local residents.

The events took place at Houghton Road Community Centre on Friday 5 September between 3pm and 7pm and Saturday 6 September between 9.30am and 2.30pm.

There was a children’s entertainer on hand to keep the younger kids occupied while everyone else looked at plans and met representatives of Compendium and their design team.
Children at the event in Thunscoe
Residents also had the chance to find out about how they will be able get involved in a wide range of activities associated with the proposed regeneration. These will include training, education and employment opportunities that the project will bring, as well as green space management and maintenance, public art and community development initiatives such as youth schemes.

Working closely with local residents, Barnsley Council, Berneslai Homes, Chevin Housing Association and Transform South Yorkshire, The Compendium Group intends to build nearly 900 new homes for rent, shared ownership and open market sale. The development will feature large areas of new public open space including a district park, two local parks and smaller informal recreation areas.

Dave Bullock, Director of the Compendium Group, said: “After initial consultation with residents of the Reema estate, Barnsley Council agreed the demolition of the estate. These consultation events give people an opportunity to see and comment on what can happen next.

“We believe that taking time to consult and communicate before a project begins, as well as carrying on talking to people as we progress, is always time well spent. Development and regeneration will always present challenges, and by having strong and trusted communications channels in place, we can work closely with key interest groups to overcome such challenges together.”
As plans develop, Compendium will arrange visits to other sites, including Weston Heights in the Weston Coyney area of Stoke-on-Trent, where The Compendium Group is breathing new life into a former coal mining estate. Thurnscoe residents will be able to see first-hand how Compendium is working, what has been achieved to date, and meet Weston Coyney residents whose lives have changed for the better as a result of the regeneration.

©2008 Compendium Group