REGENERATION IN CHARNWOOD IN NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT
Date of Release: 11/07/07
DELEGATES from across the country are to view regeneration projects in Charnwood as part of a three-day national convention at Loughborough University.
The eighth National Regeneration Convention takes place from Wednesday, 25th July to Friday 27th July and has the theme people, power and poverty: the role of communities in shaping places.
As part of the programme, Charnwood Borough Council has organised study trips to two areas as examples of how partnerships can work together to help revitalise areas.
A group of delegates will be shown ‘Neighbourhood Management in East Loughborough’ and take in the Eastern Gateway site as they tour the Hastings and Lemyngton wards.
Another team will be shown examples of ‘Community Cohesion in a University Town’ and will stop off at student accommodation in Loughborough, including the town centre and Storer Road areas.
Jonathan Hale, Charnwood Borough Council’s Director of Regeneration, said: “Charnwood Borough Council is very pleased to be participating in the Convention.
“We think we have an interesting story to tell in terms of the way we are working with partners to address cohesion issues in a University town and to develop new approaches to neighbourhood management in our Priority Areas.
“The local study visits being offered as part of the Convention will reflect these themes.”
The Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Joe Tormey, will also attend a reception following the study trips on the first day of the conference.
Cllr Stephen Hampson, Charnwood Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Regeneration, added: “We are pleased that a national event like this is coming to Charnwood and are very keen to show delegates the way we are handling regeneration projects.
“Loughborough is a great location in terms of accessibility for people from all over the country – and the University is a great venue with a wonderful range of facilities and accommodation.
“Hopefully, other national organisations will recognise these advantages too and consider Loughborough for their events.”
Mary Murphy, the Education & Seminar Manager at ROOM@RTPI – the organisation that has arranged the convention - said: “If it lives up to its reputation as the most comprehensive annual event for the regeneration sector, the Convention will attract a balance of people.
“These will include those who live and work in neighbourhoods and those who have responsibilities, at different levels, for regeneration policy
“It is a unique opportunity for learning about cross-border comparisons in policy and practice and finding new ways of working and problem solving.”
Shirley Pearce, the Vice-Chancellor at Loughborough University, added: "Loughborough University is very pleased that the Regeneration Convention has chosen to use our outstanding conference facilities for their event.
“The opportunity to also participate in the study visit on Community Cohesion is especially welcome, and is further recognition of the important work in this area that has been taking place with local residents, Student Union and the Borough Council"
