Warwickshire News Mine

There have been some exciting changes in Camp Hill, which has been subject to major regeneration in recent years, as part of the Pride in Camp Hill (PinCH) community regeneration initiative in Nuneaton. This has brought together partners from Warwickshire County Council, Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council and Advantage West Midlands among others.

Warwickshire County Councillors Chris Saint and Peter Fowler visited the area, to see for themselves the impact the project has made locally.  The programme is in its tenth year, with regeneration specialist developer Lovell currently on site as part of phase 2 of the development and Barratt Mercia developing ‘Bluebell’, phase 3. They also met employees of the Camp Hill Opportunities Centre and residents in the Camp Hill Education, Sports and Social Centre.

It is the nature of the design that Cllr Chris Saint feels is integral to the continued upturn in the area’s fortunes.

He said:  “This trip has emphasised the direction that we have been taking Camp Hill.  There used to be a certain stigma attached to the area, which the partners and residents are successfully addressing.  The regeneration has brought in new concepts of design, making the area better for residents and encouraging the sense of pride in the community.”

The Pride in Camp Hill (PinCH) regeneration scheme has brought about various improvements, among them the opportunities for training for young people.

The Camp Hill Opportunities Centre is working in partnership with PinCH, Barratt Mercia and Lovell to provide training opportunities and apprenticeship schemes.  Ryan Franklin and Tyler Godfray are working with the Camp Hill Opportunities Centre and are among the young people gaining valuable workplace skills.

Cllr Fowler met several trainees on his trip around the area and was delighted at how the regeneration is encouraging businesses to train local young people to become part of their workforce.  Tyler Godfray and Ryan Franklin were helping using their skills to relay a path on a steep verge as part of a project with St Mary and St Annes Church and Pride in Camp Hill. 

Cllr Fowler said:  “It’s great to see the transformation continue.  And it is even better seeing young people, not previously in education or training, getting skills and advancing onto a career.  The Camp Hill Opportunities Centre has made great efforts with the young people and the area will benefit from the aspirations these young people will have.”

The final part of the tour was the Camp Hill Education Sport and Social Centre where the councillors met with local residents including Anne Corbett, chair of the Camp Hill Residents’ Forum.

Anne, with 52 years of living in Camp Hill, had the final word.  She said:  I’ve seen Camp Hill in various states over the years and it is back on the up.  There is lovely new housing, anti-social behaviour is dropping, the library is well used and the young people are getting training.”

Ends

Media contact:  Richard Harkin 01926 414162

Picture shows:  Cllr Peter Fowler (foreground), Cllr Chris Saint and Chris Egan, PinCH project manager

Picture shows Cllr Chris Saint, Tyler Godfray, Ryan Franklin, Cllr Chris Saint

Link to WCC