At the heart of sustainable development is the commitment to improving people’s quality of life. We achieve this through the creation of attractive built environments that supports a sense of community.
We encourage local people to participate in the development process and in the management of community facilities to help promote social inclusion. We also give advice and financial support to local groups and organisations.
Working with Local People
We recognise that there is much more to creating a sustainable community than planning and building. It is about social interaction between local people, groups and organisations. It is also about understanding and meeting rich and diverse cultural, spiritual and economic aspirations.
To achieve this we engage with local residents and other interested parties to include them in the process of planning and delivering new and regenerated communities.
Many of the lessons we have learnt are transferable, although they need to be tailored to local circumstances. We will endeavour to develop a framework for all future schemes. This will help us to create inclusive communities where we can channel the knowledge, energy and enthusiasm of local people to provide sustainable places to live, work and enjoy.
Supporting Local Communities
We actively support the wider community where we are developing and a number of charities, as well as local environmental initiatives have benefited. In 2006 we donated £47,649 (2004 - £86,525) including 'time in kind' giving.
Customer Satisfaction
During 2006 in-house research revealed that 84% (2005: 81%) of purchasers were satisfied with the overall service provided by the Group after a month of occupation. A creditable 80% (2005 – 77%) of our purchasers would be prepared to recommend us to a friend.
Information correct as at 04/09/2007
"We were impressed by the way they had built new housing alongside refurbished older homes. They had lots of green squares where children could play and the houses were a good size. There were community facilities, the streets were pedestrian-friendly, the affordable housing looked the same as the privately owned houses and the residents enjoyed living there."
Geoff Davies, Chair of the residents' selection panel for City Centre South (Stoke)
