Holly Street regeneration

The Holly Street development has become a beacon of success for Circle, gaining a strong international reputation for excellence and inspiring similar schemes across the capital.

Circle's partner Registered Provider (RP), Circle 33, worked in partnership with other local housing associations to provide quality housing and facilities, creating a rejuvenated and thriving community.

Originally built in the early 1970s, Holly Street was an impressive neighbourhood development. By the 1980s Holly Street was a crime ridden estate that people did not want to live in. The notorious snake-shaped housing blocks enabled antisocial behaviour and criminal activity to thrive.

A great deal has been achieved since its redevelopment by Circle 33. Ten years ago 80% of residents had applied to leave Holly Street. Today, thanks to the regeneration of the area, 93% of people who live on the estate want to stay.

Small blocks of flats and brick built houses with pitched roofs and gardens, positioned on peaceful streets have replaced the rundown tower blocks. A sports and community centre, an elderly person’s day centre and a health centre have all been built to aid community cohesion. These facilities have become a valuable part of the regeneration of Holly Street.

The improvements have had a radical effect on the lives of the people that live on Holly Street. There has been a dramatic drop in actual crime and people’s fear of criminal behaviour has plummeted from 80% to just 5%. Other anti-social problems such as graffiti and litter dropping have almost been eradicated.

And Holly Street continues to be huge success story. For the development’s tenth anniversary a new recreational park in the centre of town called Evergreen Square was opened by Regeneration and Regional Development Minister Lord Rooker.

31/12/08 10:59