North Solihull Partnership

Whitefriars Housing Group Ltd is one of the four main members of the North Solihull Partnership. The others are Solihull Borough Council, leading house builder Bellway Homes and specialist investment company Inpartnership Ltd. The three wards of Solihull Borough Council which are being regenerated are Chelmsley Wood, Fordbridge and Kingshurst, and Smithswood, with a total population approaching 40,000.

The project will not affect the service currently received by Whitefriars' residents in any way. Whitefriars involvement is in a consultancy capacity to impart its expertise and knowledge. In fact, our services to current customers will be maintained and will improve through shared experience.

The partners gained the confidence of Solihull Borough Council against competition from some of the biggest players in the sector. The main reasons why we were successful were that we were able to demonstrate an innovative approach to structure, and funding models, and look beyond housing to tackle policing, health, education, employment, transport – in fact every aspect of every day life important to the residents of North Solihull.

The main partnership is supported by a range of other partners including EC Harris, international master planning organisation EDAW, West Mercia Housing Group, and financial specialists ABROS.

Whitefriars is using its expertise and experience in community engagement to direct massive consultation exercises with residents to allow them to shape the regeneration package, help steer the partnership and jointly lead the master planning operation.

Involvement in this project is also further evidence of the organisation's commitment to the national 'iN business for neighbourhoods' agenda, of which Whitefriars was an early adopter and advocate.

Howard Farrand, Whitefriars' Group Chief Executive, says,

"Whilst continuing to provide and improve services to our Coventry residents, we're pleased to have the opportunity to share our knowledge and experience of working in Coventry to help improve the lives of people in North Solihull.

We believe that the challenge of regeneration goes beyond improving the bricks and mortar of a place to take in all the other issues of daily life – including health, education, the environment and the fear of crime – that are important to local people. Again, iN business principles is at the heart of all our operations."

• For more information on the project and the Regenerating North Solihull Partnership, see our press release pages and visit our partners' websites. www.northsolihull.co.uk, www.solihull.gov.uk, www.bellway.co.uk,  www.inpartnershipgroup.com, www.echarris.com