Communications & Engagement

The local community and local councillors were consulted from the earliest stages of the project with several public events held to get local views at an early stage in the development. Most people were supportive due to the local affection for the historic building that had lain idle for a long period and they were pleased to see it brought back into use. Consultation responses received from The Hanham District Green Belt Conservation Society were supportive of the proposals and the Society was encouraged by the level of consultation and involvement both the Society and local residents experienced which has been unprecedented in their history. Through extensive engagement the team were able to restore the Hall to its former eminence and put it to a good use for the community.

HTA have been back to Hanham to carry out some Post Occupancy Evaluation (POE). A resident focus group, and subsequent questionnaire, proved that Hanham Hall has a strong sense of community and neighbourhood connectivity. Our POE found that on arrival many residents said their reason for moving was either to downsize or to buy their first home with one of the strongest attractions of the development being the sense of community. One resident said ‘That is one of the great things I love about living here – the community is very strong and vibrant.’

Overall, residents responded positively to questions on active lifestyle citing the surrounding greenery and natural environment as inviting to spend time in. The residents group puts on lots of events both inside and outside that invite people to take a curious approach to their environment: ‘And we’ve got the beehives. They are up in the far corner. We had 60 odd pounds of honey. And we all made books the other day – a local artist came to teach us. Basically if you have ideas we are always welcome to them.’

Our POE surveys found that 82.46% of residents agreed or strongly agreed that the neighbourhood gave them opportunities to stop and talk with people regularly and that 81.82% felt the design of the home and its environment lifted their spirits.