Background

The Wilmot Drive Estate is located North-West of Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.  It borders onto an employment park, large supermarket and an area of public space.  The area is located in a former coal-mining region and since the closure of the mines it has begun to display the classic symptoms of deprivation.  In recent years the estate has been characterised by an undercurrent of crime and disorder and social problems.

Scheme Objectives

Impacts

Anecdotal evidence would suggest lower speeds, reduced fear of crime at night and a sense of pride in the planting scheme.  Most objectives are thought to have been achieved other than increasing levels of cycling which are difficult to gauge.

The addition of a significant number of semi-mature trees and some specialist trees has softened the nature of the estate. Some residents are watering/tending to plants.

Children have always played in the streets, however, they now play in a safer environment. The new play areas are well used, particularly the equipment aimed at 4-12 year olds.

Anecdotal evidence of reduced fear of crime at night is attributed to the improved street lighting standards. Petty vandalism to new trees and planting areas has subsided after a difficult first few months.

Since the Home Zone was completed, 20 derelict houses have been demolished as part of a wider urban renewal scheme

Wilmot Drive Home Zone Website

Progress - March 2005

Scheme completed.  Additional surfacing dressing works to be undertaken from maintenance budget 2005/6 to complement Home Zone improvements.