Pupils from Marlborough and St. Joseph’s Catholic primary schools took part in an art competition to paint their picture of Devonport’s future and many of the designs will feature in hoardings to be erected around Redrow’s construction site.

Redrow’s health & safety mascot Buster the Bear was on hand, along with David Brown from Devonport  Regeneration Community Partnership and Colin Smethurst, managing director for Redrow Homes (West Country), to present prizes of various art materials to first, second, third and highly commended in different age groups for each school and, from now until March 22, visitors to the new information centre can also vote for their favourite in a ‘people’s choice’ competition.

Anne Tillett, Redrow’s community liaison officer in Devonport, said: “The children’s work is fantastic and really captures the spirit of what we are hoping to achieve with our Vision development. We’re really looking forward to translating their work onto the hoardings so that passers-by can share their enthusiasm and creativity.”

The new Insight into Vision information centre opened with a day of fun and festivities for all of the local community, including a jazz band, children’s entertainers and refreshments. Visitors were able to take away souvenir pieces of the wall that has surrounded the former MoD South Yard Enclave for over 50 years.

The new information centre includes an exhibition of Devonport’s past, present and future, with contributions from local people.  Visitors can find out more about Redrow’s regeneration plans, as well as registering their interest in the wide range of new homes that will be built.

The site originally formed part of Devonport town centre, which was heavily damaged in the Blitz. It was subsequently incorporated into the dockyard perimeter by the MoD during the 1950s and enclosed by a three-metre high stone wall, before being declared surplus to requirements and acquired by national regeneration agency, English Partnerships.

Chosen last year as the preferred developer, Redrow has begun the process of integrating the site back into the Devonport community and transforming it into a mixed-use neighbourhood of more than 450 new homes, shops, offices and community facilities. The first homes are expected to go on sale during April.

The Insight into Vision information centre, off Chapel Street, Devonport, is open weekdays between 10am and 4pm.  People have until March 22 to vote for their favourite children’s painting. Would-be home owners can also register their interest in Vision by calling 0845 676 0328 or logging on to the website at www.vision.redrow.co.uk. 
              
Editor’s footnote: Redrow Homes has been awarded Major Housebuilder of the Year 2006 in the annual Building Awards, for its success in helping first time buyers onto the property ladder with its Debut range, whilst still maintaining a healthy profit margin.  Additionally Redrow has been voted Housebuilder of the Year by national consumer property magazine Your New Home, as well as winning the Best Development for First Time Buyers category for its innovative Debut range and Best New Build Village for Buckshaw Village in Chorley, Lancs.

7 March 2007