Hull in print

The Piercy family are just one of many households who are already feeling the benefit of a multi-million pound scheme which is boosting the standard of living in Hull.
Their house was one of 117 victorian properties in the Melrose Street area of west Hull which were given an external facelift, including new sash windows and front doors, as well as new walls, railings, gates and gutters.
The work was carried out through the Gateway Pathfinder scheme, which aims to rejuvenate the Hull housing market by upgrading or replacing some of the worst older housing in the city.
"The work is top notch," says mum Claire.
"We used to get a lot of condensation in our windows, but since the new ones have been fitted it's gone.
"The work has made a real difference to the whole street."

An enviable quality of life

By improving the standard of housing, initially in the Newington and St Andrew's areas and the Ings and Preston Road areas, it's hoped that Gateway can help reverse Hull's population decline.
Between 1991 and 2001, the city's population of Hull fell by seven per cent, but by 2020 it's hoped that Gateway will have helped to create a stable population with access to a much wider choice of quality housing.
"If fewer and fewer people want to live in the city it can create a downward spiral of economic and social problems," says Stuart Whyte, the chair of Gateway Pathfinder.
"Property prices don't keep up with those in surrounding areas and there is less demand for essential services such as schools and shops.
"Within neighbourhoods, if properties lie empty or derelict they can soon attract crime, vandalism and fly-tipping and lead to an area having a bad reputation.
"But we can create safe and thriving neighbourhoods by cutting the number of empty, derelict and low-value properties and providing an enviable quality of life for all.
"We have already made considerable progress over the past two years and we are already beginning to see some real changes."

The story so far

Gateway is one of nine organisations known as "housing market renewal pathfinders" which have been set up by the Government across the north of England and the midlands.
Already around £50 million has been spent in Hull, and progress to date includes:

150 new homes completed (or on schedule for completion) in Ings and Preston Road, east Hull
500 refurbishments in Newington and St. Andrew's completed (or on schedule for completion)
the progression of plans for new housing at Woodcock Street, west Hull, with a start on site due spring 2008 the acquisition of homes and commercial property in Newington St.
Andrew's, Ings and Preston Road to open up the area for new, modern homes, open spaces and community facilities
Developing a long-term partnership with lead private-sector developers Bellway Homes and Keepmoat Plc, which will bring in an estimated additional investment of £200 million over the next ten years

Building our future

A bid for £90 million for the next phase of the project, from 2008 to 2011, has been submitted to the Government, with a decision expected in the spring.
"Our priority over the next three years will be to complete the programme we consulted communities upon in March 2006," says Gateway's chief executive, Janet Whipps.
"This will deliver significant change in the Hawthorn Dairycoates area of Newington and St. Andrew's and in Ings and Preston Road, East Hull.
"What the money will be spent on after that, will be shaped over the coming months as we work with our partners and communities to develop master plans for the next 10-15 years.
These will show what, where and when change needs to happen next, to deliver our vision of prosperous, safe and thriving neighbourhoods."

Eileen and Roy's story

After five years in their house in Barking Close on the Ings Estate, Eileen Norris and Roy Clarke were more than ready for a move.
"The old houses were really big, which meant they were very cold and took a lot of money to heat, particularly because of the under-floor heating," said Eileen.
The couple moved into their three-bedroom, semi-detached house in February 2007, and are delighted with their new home.
"The neighbours are all fantastic and it is a really nice mix of people, with older people at one end of the street and younger families at the other," adds Eileen.
"Everyone has got time for everyone and are really polite and helpful.
I was a bit apprehensive at the number of children in the neighbourhood, but all the kids are wonderful.
It is just a really nice place to live." Roy said: "I can't imagine being anywhere else now we are in.
We love it and are just looking forward to the rest of the area being developed so that more people can enjoy their new homes."


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