Bellenden Residents' Group (BRG)

I took these as a record when the Renewal works were completed in 2003. I hope to take some more in the near future which will provide an interesting opportunity to see how it has developed.

See the full montage with links at http://www.thingsmagazine.net/projects/007/index.htm.

This view shows the pleasant curve in this part of Nigel Road, and shows off well the clean up that the houses had in the Bellenden Renewal Scheme. They were the first in 1999 together with adjacent roads Relf Road and Anstey Road. In this picture the awful street furniture clutter at the junction is well evident. They were the first streets to be chosen for renewal as they are one of the key gateways to the area. It is also unfortunately the key gateway and getaway for the flood of traffic through the neighbourhood rat runs in rush hours.

Before the Bellenden Renewal scheme, this shopping parade was run down and tired to look at. I always felt it was really attractive beneath the grime and superficial dereliction. With the bircks cleaned, and the wood and stonework painted,and the shop fronts upgraded, it did the trick. Hey presto this is a very pleasant shopping street to be in. The extras of the new pavements, new lights and new bollards, courtesy of famous, then local, artist Anthony Gormley, and still local Tom Phillips, added an extra something, even if it might be arguments about the value of those extras.

More new railings, these at the entrance to the community garden. This is a lovely place to stop by if there is time on the way to and from the station. The glimpse through these gates and the path beyond are an uplifting view in the rush to catch a train!

Nutbrook Street houses had a 'facelift' in the Bellenden Renewal Scheme (1997-2007). The work was done in 2001-2, and consisted of cleaning front brickwork, painting the woodframes and doors, new front garden walls, railings and front paths. Only 3 houses opted out. Overall, the relatively low cost work - without any repairs - lightened and harmonised the look of the street, especially pleasing when the sun shines on the warm yellow bricks. Several years on, the pain of being subjected to the Council Housing Department and its contractors for a long time, is slowly receding, and we can enjoy the improved feel of the street

I love the way the Spring pink tree blossom matches the pink pavements (designed by Zandra Rhodes). The cleaned up shop fronts give a good feeling especially in the sunlight.