A Blueprint For The Transformation Of Lansbury Park

An ambitious blueprint for the future of the Lansbury Park housing estate in Caerphilly has been unveiled. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

A major study commissioned by Caerphilly county borough council, called the ‘Deep Place Plan’, has been produced by Professor Dave Adamson and Dr Mark Lang, who developed the Deep Place approach. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The plan has been developed over the past few months with input from residents to ensure the community helps shape the future of Lansbury Park. The document has also been supported by the Caerphilly Public Services Board which includes key partners such as the Police and Health. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The Deep Place Plan sets out a range of recommendations to help tackle some of the key issues identified as part of the study. In total there are twenty two key actions for the council and other key partners to consider including: ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The creation of a multi-agency ‘Coalition for Change’ to drive forward improvements.
Securing funding for a range of active play facilities across the estate.
Carrying out a full environmental audit of the estate.
A review of current housing allocation and tenancy enforcement strategies.
Bids to secure Welsh Government funding for physical renewal works
A 3 year programme of crime and anti-social behaviour reduction
Development of local drug and alcohol services
A multi-agency strategy to improve educational attainment
‘Anti-Poverty Champions’ identified at a senior level. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The council has pledged to do all it can to transform the fortunes of Lansbury Park and this comprehensive plan will provide a clear framework to deliver change and improvement,” said Cllr Dave Poole, Deputy Leader of the Council. “As part of this process we want to work closely with the community to shape a positive future for everyone living on the estate.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Report co-author Dr Mark Lang said “The Deep Place Study will help trigger a strategic response, involving the council and other members of the Public Services Board, the private and third sectors and the community, to tackle the issues affecting the estate and identify opportunities for positive change. It is clear that there is a real determination to deliver improvement and this innovative approach will focus on economic, social, environmental and cultural aspects of the community.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“I’m confident that the Council and its partners can bring about positive change and that there is a commitment to deliver the key recommendations in the report,” he added. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Lansbury Park has a population of around 1,500 people and forms part of the St James ward, which was ranked as one of the most deprived areas in Wales in the 2014 Welsh Index of Deprivation.
Much work is already being done to bring about change. Housing improvements totalling £10million, as part of the WHQS programme, will see internal and external improvements to hundreds of council houses across the estate. Around £500,000 will also be allocated to deliver a range of environmental improvements to link with the housing works. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Further involvement will take place with the local community as the various recommendations contained within the plan are refined and implemented. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​