The Future of the Hillfields Flats

During February and March 2002 Whitefriars Housing Group consulted with tenants on the future of the 12 tower blocks within Hillfields. Independent consultants PEP interviewed as many tenants as possible about the flats and the area. Interviews were completed with 258 tenants on the estate with questions about how tenants felt about living in the high-rise flats and in Hillfields and the type and location of accommodation that tenants would prefer if the Hillfields flats were refurbished. 

Some of the results of the survey were as follows:

Do you like living in high-rise?

What would you prefer to do if the flats are improved?

What are your feelings about living in Hillfields?

Whitefriars' Decision

Following the consultation the Board of Whitefriars reached a decision about the future of the Hillfields Flats. It considered the relevant facts and information, including the results of the tenants consultation survey and the views of the Hillfields 12 Tenants Association. 

The decision reached was that four block will be retained and refurbished. The remaining eight blocks will form a Clearance Programme involving the re-housing of tenants and then demolition.

Blocks in the Refurbishment Programme

Hillfields House
Pioneer House
Douglas House
Paul Stacey House

These blocks will be refurbished to a high standard. Tenants remaining in the blocks will be consulted over this refurbishment.

Blocks in the Clearance Programme

The blocks in the Clearance Programme are listed below in the order that they will be emptied and demolished. When a block is being emptied it will be referred to as an "Active Clearance Block". The anticipated dates for designation of these Active Clearance Blocks are shown for the first twelve months. This is based on the best estimates and assumptions and the order and timings may need to be changed as progress is made.

1) Pearl Hyde House - August 2002
2) Phoenix House - January 2003
3) Joseph Halpin House - April 2003
4) Stevens House
5) Selina Dix House
6) Michel House
7) Unity House

These blocks will be demolished, once tenants have been rehoused. Tenants of blocks in the clearance Programme will be offered moves. Whitefriars will talk to all tenants individually about their needs and area preferences. What all tenants in a block have been rehoused, the block will be demolished.

When a block is designated as an "Active Clearance Block":

• Whitefriars will write to all tenants in the block confirming the designation of the block and outlining the steps that will follow.
• Whitefriars will invite all tenants in the block to a block meeting, intended to provide general information on things like the re-housing options available and measures to be taken to maintain security and services to the block.
• Staff will visit all tenants individually to identify re-housing needs and area preferences.
• Staff will make offers of alternative accommodation to those tenants who want Whitefriars to re-house them.

Properties let to Social Services for Asylum Seekers

Whitefriars has a contract with the City Council to house asylum seekers in furnished accommodation in Thomas King House. Whitefriars will liaise with Social Services about these flats and how long they are likely to be needed for. These residents are not included in the re-housing arrangements outlined above.

For further information on this programme please call David Jelley on 7676 7153 or email david.jelley@whitefriarshousing.co.uk

Download the consultation document in pdf format (877 Kb)  

Download a shortened version of the consultation document in Word (22kb)

This page was last updated 08/12/02