Harold Hill Town Centre redevelopment - Farnham and Hilldene Estate RESIDENT LETTER
February 2024
An update on the regeneration and improvement works for Farnham and Hilldene Estate We're continuing to keep neighbouring residents up to date on the phases of the regeneration project and the additional repair work that is taking place to maintain the properties and ensure the safety of residents of the estate.
Background and Progress The Harold Hill Town Centre Masterplan is split into three sites and phases which include: Phase One - The Family Welcome Centre and Medical Centre. The construction team are now on site. Phase Two - Chippenham Road, estimated to start on site in Winter 2024. Phase Three - Farnham and Hilldene Estate, estimated to start first sub phase in 2025. This estate will have a number of sub phases to allow us to minimise the impact on local businesses and residents. In the meantime, it's important to us that the estate is maintained for the benefit of everyone living, working and visiting there. Please see more information in the next section below about improvement works. All dates are indicative and subject to change. For a full update on the Harold Hill Town Centre Masterplan and regeneration, please visit the 'story so far’ and ‘what’s happening next’ section at www.havering.gov.uk/haroldhilltowncentre
Upcoming works for Farnham and Hilldene Estate Although the estate is part of the regeneration programme, we are working hard to improve the area and make it more pleasant for our residents until the estate is redeveloped. Recent improvements on the estate since the last update include: Roof repairs to Chippenham numbers 67-81, Farnham numbers 18-40, Hilldene numbers 122-166. More work is expected in the following blocks throughout February and March, pending surveys, which includes drain clearances from roof to ground level at Chippenham Road 91-105, Farnham Road numbers 75-93 and 21-63, and Hilldene Avenue numbers 200-244 Redecorating of communal areas to Chippenham Road numbers 67-81, Farnham Road numbers 50-70, Farnham Road numbers 18-40 and Hilldene numbers 122166 Graffiti removal to Farnham numbers 21-63 Concrete repairs to Chippenham numbers 67-81, Farnham numbers 50-70, Hilldene numbers 122-166. We also expect to start on the following blocks throughout February and March at Chippenham Road numbers 91-105, Farnham Road numbers 75-93, Farnham Road numbers 21-63 and Hilldene Avenue numbers 200-244. We’ve also installed new secure tank room doors to help reduce antisocial behaviour and unauthorised roof access.
Hilldene benches removal We mentioned in the last update that we were planning to remove the benches on Hilldene, as they had become a prime location for antisocial behaviour in the town centre. They are currently being cleaned up and we will be installing them in Central Park this month. We are working with the families that had dedication plaques to their loved ones to make sure they can attend the installation, so they can continue to pay their respects to their loved one in a more peaceful and beautiful location.
You can contact your dedicated Resident Liaison Officer, Maria, by emailing: resident.liaison@havering.gov.uk or calling her on 07970 989700
We continue to work with our main repairs contractor, Mears, as well as BTS, to make improvements to the estate. BTS are working in two blocks, one on Chippenham Road and one on Farnham Road, focusing on roof repairs, drainage and internal stairwells. We have increased cleaning schedules and also have a dedicated handyman for the area to assist with smaller repairs and graffiti removal. Our MOT to properties with Mears continues too. So far, this has been rolled out on Chippenham Road and Farnham Road and we have completed 44 home MOTs and over 100 repairs that have been identified.
Tackling crime in the area An update from Inspector Charlie Routley from the Metropolitan Police Havering Safer Neighbourhood Team. Clear Hold Build, a new long term Home Office initiative launched in December 2023 and since then the team have: Conducted a warrant and discovered a cannabis factory containing 150+ plants. One male arrested and £120,000 worth of drugs recovered Arrested a male for possession of a large hunting style knife in Straight Road Completed a day of action with Havering Council Enforcement Team and Community Safety with more dates to be scheduled. See more information below Targeted prolific offenders in the area which has seen numerous arrests already Increased patrols in the area at key times Improved joint working with colleagues from Havering Council, working together to tackle key issues that matter most to local residents A Day of Action was also completed in Havering on Thursday 14 December and included: additional patrols within the area and this had already resulted in 3 arrests for weapons, shoplifting and drugs and 9 stop searches prior to today’s operation, with 2 males charged with the weapons and drug offences and remanded in custody. high visibility and on foot patrols in Harold Hill, visiting local shops and talking to residents. The deployments that took place were part of the wider Clear Hold Build initiative which is a unified approach that aims to make our communities a safer place to work and live. a Roadshow stall (pictured) was also set up by London Borough of Havering who were engaging with local residents and the local ward officers assisted by also offering crime prevention advice and handouts which included personal alarms, anti-spiking bottle stoppers and faraday bags for car keys. Safer Schools Officers who had been invited to deploy at a local secondary school. Approximately 900 students left the site passing the drugs dog and they were reported to have all behaved in a mature and sensible manner. This was completed in order to send a clear message to students about the dangers of bringing in any contraband and the consequences of bringing any prohibited items in to school. multiple weapon sweeps, looking for discarded knives and weapons in shrubbery/grass areas were also conducted within the area of Farnham Road and Harold Wood by the Safer Neighbourhood teams and Havering Council Officers. Members of the local ward panels and Councillors were also in attendance. Residents are encouraged to report crime to the Police – 999 for emergencies, 101 for non-urgent, online at www.met.police.uk or via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. You can also report antisocial behaviour at www.havering.gov.uk/asb For ongoing ASB (Anti-Social Behaviour) which means three separate incidents in the last six months, we encourage residents to apply for a case review, which can be found in section three www.havering.gov.uk/asb, called ‘Request a review of your anti-social behaviour report (known as the community trigger)’. All incidents of ASB / Hate Crime need to be reported directly to the police via 101 or online www.met.police.uk or in the case of an emergency 999
For a full update on the Harold Hill Town Centre Masterplan and regeneration, please visit the 'story so far’ section at www.havering.gov.uk/haroldhilltowncentre