Notting Hill Genesis (NHG) manages a 143-home estate in Barnet, built in the 1950s on a former military barracks site. Guided by inclusivity, transparency, flexibility and timely information, NHG addressed questions about regeneration over refurbishment. A refurbished flat served as a hub for meetings, while an 11-member resident steering group provided input. A needs survey and effective engagement led, in May 2024, to an 87 per cent vote in favour of redevelopment.

 

 

Who is on the project? 

 

PRP Architects

HGH Planning

HTA Landscape Architects

CommComm

TPAS Tenant Engagement Experts

 

Describe the context of the community engagement. Why did the engagement take place?

 

Curry Rise; Bray Road is a 143-home estate owned and managed by Notting Hill Genesis (NHG). Built in the 1950s it is located on the site of a converted military barracks in the London Borough of Barnet. NHG identified the need to address issues with the social housing quality at the development, to meet the long-term needs of residents. It proposed an estate regeneration to redevelop all homes alongside the public space. Securing the community’s buy-in from the outset was vital. NHG delivered a truly community-centric engagement and consultation programme, culminating in an estate ballot. This reflected the organisation’s commitment to shaping places with residents rather than for them. Four principles underlined its approach –inclusivity, transparency, flexibility, and providing appropriate information at the right time. NHG needed to anticipate and address potential questions related to the decision to regenerate rather than refurbish, and concerns on future rehousing and letting arrangements. Its priority was for most residents not already decanted to stay living on the estate, moving only once –straight into their new home. NHG set out to empower every resident to have a hand in shaping the masterplan, including co-designing and naming the new development. From establishing the diversity mix and nuanced housing requirements of residents to tackle historic issues such as overcrowding, to engaging on masterplan phasing and design of public spaces, the process was truly collaborative. The successful ballot outcome in May 2024 –87% voted in favour of redevelopment– reflects NHG’s achievement in giving every resident a voice.

 

Who did you engage with and how? 

 

 Beginning in October 2023, it adopted a two-pronged approach to capture insight from across the estate and beyond –engaging with the whole community, and a resident focus group who acted as a channel to communicate with the wider estate. An estate-wide needs survey was carried out to inform initial designs for the new homes; residents were invited to tour a nearby regeneration scheme delivered by NHG; and the community provided feedback at four consultation events held before the ballot. A refurbished flat on site became the hub for regular meetings, drop-in sessions and workshops about the estate regeneration; monthly newsletters keep the community updated; a digital platform is a resource for all materials shared; and hybrid meetings accommodated those already decanted off the estate. In tandem, NHG established a resident steering group (RSG) of 11 tenants and leaseholders, acting as community representatives and as a sounding board for NHG. It has continued to provide detailed feedback on proposals via focused workshops –including on building layouts, and phasing plans. Residents completed an application form to join the RSG, and clear expectations were set by NHG via a code of conduct and all meeting expenses covered. The group reflects the ethnic, gender and religious makeup of the estate, and adjustments were made to ensure all could participate –including sensory models of the estate which enabled a blind RSG member to interpret the masterplan block layout. Resident handbooks have also been translated into Chinese.

 

How did the project and the community benefit from engagement? 

 

From the outset, NHG has sought to co-create proposals for the estate’s redevelopment that truly reflect community priorities. The RSG was one way to do this as it gave residents a mechanism for scrutiny of the proposals at all stages. The range of consultation forums enabled every resident and RSG representative to influence matters throughout., from emerging designs for the scheme to the ballot process itself. Overcrowding was identified as a challenge in resident feedback, and so a range of four-bedroom family homes were included in the final masterplan. Residents had a role in decision-making about the project’s consultants. The RSG selected the landscape architect from candidates’ proposals, and residents were able to feed in elements such as play space, seating, and the inclusion of more accessible pedestrian routes. Each resident will have the final say in the design finishes of their home, with the option to choose paint and flooring options, kitchen layout, and necessary adaptations for disabilities. To ensure every voice is heard, the project has been well resourced throughout. Along with an NHG project lead and dedicated rehousing officer, an independent tenant and leasehold advisor has provided specialist advice on all rehousing and letting queries. Ahead of the ballot in May 2024, the programme culminated in a ‘Landlord Offer’ – a handbook with NHG’s commitment to residents. This provided a clear roadmap for the redevelopment, setting out the preferred masterplan option, phasing strategy, tenants’ right to remain, and principles and priorities for management of the estate.