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John Hall tells us about his new home

John Hall, North Solihull resident

Having lived in the area for more than 30 years, John Hall knows all about the problems facing North Solihull. It was a model estate when he moved to Chelmsley Wood all those years ago, but things have changed since then.

"Chelmsley Wood is still a great place to live, but there's no doubt it is now in need of urgent attention" he said. "When I moved here it was as good a place to live as any, but over the years there are parts that have become run down and in need of sorting out."

So when John, a former floor fitter, heard about the Regenerating North Solihull project, which aims to invest £1.8billion in the area's housing, schools and amenities over the next 15 years, he was happy to give it his support, although he didn't realise at the time how involved in the project he would be.

Following a series of community consultation sessions, and once the final neighbourhood plan for the area John lived in was approved, it became evident that his home was situated within an area earmarked for regeneration so John was contacted about being re-housed. This took place through the dedicated Home Maker team of the North Solihull Partnership, the consortium of Solihull Council, Whitefriars Housing Group, regeneration specialists Inpartnership and Bellway Homes.

Having lived in the property in question in Pike Drive for more than a decade, the father of three was sorry to have to move, but his main concern was to ensure that he was found a new home that met his needs as a pensioner.

He said: "I was talking to the Home Maker team for a year before I moved. I have always been something of a realist so when I was first contacted, my initial concern was that I was found something suitable that wasn't too far away from my friends and the shops.

"I saw a bungalow in Nineacres Drive that I really fancied. As soon as the Homemaker team confirmed that I met the criteria, they pulled out all the stops and before I knew it I was moving in." 

Throughout the process John had a single point of contact in David Cooper from the Home Maker team and he couldn't have been happier with the service he received. John added: "David was brilliant from start to finish and was always there to answer any questions I had about the move. If I had to give him marks out of 100, I'd give him 110."    

The Home Maker team has now found new homes for more than 170 locals from the Chelmsley Wood and Smith's Wood areas of North Solihull, as the regeneration project begins to gather pace. A number of properties have already been demolished to make way for new development, and a further 75 houses and flats are set to be demolished over the next three months.

Janet Bradbury, chief executive of the North Solihull Partnership, said: "Regenerating North Solihull is taking place in partnership with the 40,000 residents living in the area and one of the biggest challenges is not just finding alternative homes for those directly affected by the regeneration scheme, but finding homes that local people are both eligible for and are happy with.

"Residents like Mr Hall have undergone significant upheaval in support of the regeneration project and it is especially for them that we are determined to transform North Solihull into an area where people aspire to live again.

"So far more than 170 residents have been found alternative accommodation, all with their agreement. This is testament to the hard work and dedication of people like David Cooper, Debbie Westwood, Jo Cooper, Tina Harris and Gill Stockdale; our Home Maker team from Solihull Community Housing, who are ensuring that residents are being found suitable accommodation with minimal fuss and with all the support they need."