Hattersley

Resident members of Hattersley’s Mancunian Reunion project were presented with the prestigious North West Together We Can award for community empowerment on 14^th September.

Mancunian Reunion and sister project the Good Neighbours Scheme were nominated by Tameside Council for the award which recognises groups which have been particularly prominent and benefitted their community.

Community Learning Coordinator Sharron Power said: “The application process was a quite demanding and it required a lot of work to pull all the information together.

“However, it did make us realise just what has been achieved and the influence Mancunian Reunion and the Good Neighbours Scheme has on local people. Winning this award shows just how far we have come in a relatively short space of time and we are all really proud of what we have achieved over the last four years.”

Neighbourhood Manager Janet Frost commented “The group has enriched the community by helping people come together and celebrate the past, whilst also introducing them to new activities, interests and friends.

“The good Neighbours Scheme, where members ‘look out’ for their neighbours is a simple idea which is already demonstrating real benefits. Just a chat or running of a small errand can make all the difference to someone who is isolated but many Good Neighbours are already doing much more, such as helping people access mainstream services, advice and assistance.”

To find out more about Mancunian Reunion and the Good Neighbours Project contact Helen Whittaker on 0161 368 2096, e-mail: sharron.power@hnp.org.uk or call in at the Hattersley Neighbourhood Partnership Office at 10-13 Kingston Arcade (Hattersley Precinct)

Planning permission was granted in September for an apartments and retail development in the Honiton Avenue area of Hattersley.

The £4.7 million project, which has been supported by £2.5 million funding from the Homes & Communities Agency, will see the development of 33 two bedroom apartments, which will be offered to the over 55’s, and three new retail units, adjacent to the new properties on Hattersley Road West.

The apartments, which will include a kitchen /dining room, living room, double bedroom, bathroom and an additional single bedroom, will be managed by local landlord Peak Valley Housing Association. Managing Director, Phil Corris ,said: “The ‘Honiton shops’ are currently in a poor state of repair and with only two retail units out of the current seven open for bussiness – are something of a blight on the area.

“The proposal has the support of the local community especially those people living close to the area, who recognise that it will be a massive improvement to the area – as well as providing good local facilities. The new apartments will provide much needed accommodation for the over 55’s, which is in high demand in this area.”

Work on the new retail units is expected to commence in the autumn with businesses opening in spring 2011.  Once the new retail units are built, the old ones will be demolished to allow work on the new residential element of the scheme to start.