ISSUE NO.3 MAY 2017 Lidl confirmed as operator for new supermarket Residents receive their new home allocation Construction news Exhibition for phase 2 proposal coming soon...
01 Welcome to the third edition of the South Oxhey Initiative Newsletter. Since our last update in January, we have completed the Phase 1 resident allocations for new homes, selected the operator for the new food store and we are making good progress on the construction ensuring that local people are getting a high percentage of the jobs created. Read on to find out more. A development by: A new look and feel for South Oxhey As part of the development taking place in South Oxhey we have created: * A new name South Oxhey Central. This name will be used to promote the work we are doing in South Oxhey. * Soon, you will begin to see South Oxhey Central signage appearing in the neighbourhood. It will be on the building sites where the new homes and shops are coming soon. * Now called SoOx, the newsletter will continue to be published three times each year. * The newsletter will feature key updates and information about the development. Lidl confirmed as operator for new supermarket The leading UK home builder Countryside and housing provider Home Group are pleased to announce that Lidl UK GmbH is to open a new store in South Oxhey. The 1,747 sq m (18,880 sq ft) foodstore is part of the third phase of the South Oxhey Initiative regeneration project, with construction to commence in 2020 and opening in 2022. We are pleased to be part of the new development at South Oxhey and look forward to working with Countryside and Home Group over the coming years, to deliver a new Lidl store. We ve seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to the community. Shane O Farrell Regional Head of Property, Lidl UK
03 Construction news Access arrangements for Station Approach It s nice to see your home being built first hand and I cannot wait to move in! Images: Hayling Road, Hallowes Crescent and Maylands Road Building works are progressing at a good pace on the housing sites and we are now starting work on the new shops at Station Approach. Should you have any queries please contact Countryside s Residents Liaison Officer Katherina Faulkner on 07753 915841. WORKS BEGAN ON 18TH APRIL * Access will be maintained at all times during the re-development via the use of the existing ramp. * We have closed the stairs on the left hand side and this will re-open on 23rd March 2018. * Pedestrian access has been clearly separated from the works providing safe access to and from the Station. * During the period of works we have maintained two taxi spaces, two drop off spaces and two accessible parking spaces (disabled persons parking) together with a minimum of 10 parking spaces for public use. * There will be a reduced loop accessible to the currently permitted traffic. * Buses will temporarily use the bus stop on Prestwick Road, at the top of Station Approach. NEW HOMES Residents receive their new home allocation Residents in the first phase of development, moving into new homes on Hallowes Crescent and Maylands Road, have now been advised which house or flat they will be moving into and had a chance discuss any queries on a one to one basis. In the next few weeks residents will be given the opportunity to personalise their new home by selecting from a range of kitchen units, flooring and tiling colours. We hope this will help everyone feel excited as they move into their new home in early spring 2018. Linda Gbadebo has been allocated a new home on the Hallowes Crescent site and recently said: I am really looking forward to my new home. It took me a while to understand the layout of the plans at the allocation interview, but after asking a few questions and meeting with Home Group staff, I now have an understanding of the internal layout. I am very excited and keep driving to the site weekly to see the building works. It s nice to see your home being built first hand and I cannot wait to move in! Changes to Station Approach Work at Station Approach began on 18th April to redevelop the retail space and the general area of Station Approach which is anticipated for completion October 2018. * The former Barclays bank and the other retail units on the north side of Station Approach have been hoarded off. * The pay & display car park located to the rear of Station Approach has been closed off for around one year, the minimum time possible to allow for construction works. Local jobs and apprenticeships Countryside are currently employing 15 local people in the area. We are now ready to place apprentices in carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing and seeking an electrician. If you are 18 years old and above and looking for a career in construction with the opportunity to be a part of the apprenticeship scheme for South Oxhey please contact Joe Brennan on 07976 315 763 or email katherina.faulkner@cpplc.com. For further information please visit www.bconstructive.co.uk
05 SO OX NEWSLETTER On Saturday 18th March the visited a Countryside development in west London, Acton Gardens. Councillors were given an introduction on the scheme, shown a model of the future plans and had a tour of the site. Board members were impressed with the new homes completed at Acton Gardens and left keen to see a similar result in the first phase of the South Oxhey Initiative. Exhibition for phase 2 proposals coming soon You are invited to view plans for the designs of the second phase of the development at our drop-in public exhibition day on: Saturday 3rd June 2017 between 11.00am 4.00pm in the Watford Rural Parish Main Hall, Oxhey Drive. Images: Acton Gardens, W3 At the event you will be able to find out about our proposals for the new modern market square and the new affordable and private homes. Community board visit Acton Gardens There will also be information about the construction works for the new retail and office square for Carpenders Park Station. Home Group and Countryside staff will be at the event to discuss any questions you have about the plans. We look forward to seeing you there.
Join the South Oxhey community board We are really keen for local people to be involved in the South Oxhey community board. We have 3 vacancies for residents, leaseholders and owner occupier s living in the yellow boundary. Log onto: www.southoxheyinitiative.com to see a map of the boundary line. Being a member of the community board you will be able to: * Promote the interests of all residents of the South Oxhey community and help make a difference to where you live. * Have the opportunity to raise development queries working in partnership with Home Group and Countryside Project Team. * Receive free training and support that will assist you in your role on the board. * We will offer a voucher for attending each of the community board meetings. If you are interested in joining and would like more information please contact Richard Glaister on 07921 472985 by 31st May 2017. Dates for the diary Local residents wishing to attend the Meetings as an observer are welcome to come along. The meetings are held between 7.30pm and 9.00pm in the Main Hall of the Watford Rural Parish, on Oxhey Drive on the following dates: Meeting 4 12th June 2017 Meeting 6 9th October 2017 Meeting 5 14th August 2017