Best practice

English Partnerships’ research programme provides closely focused support to the business of the Agency and to the wider regeneration and development sector. During 2005 we brought our research programme together with that of the Housing Corporation to increase its impact. This has widened our expertise in housing and strengthened our links with Regional Housing Boards and individual housing associations.

Examples of research completed during 2004/2005 included our Skills in Regeneration project which was undertaken alongside the Egan Review of Skills and focused specifically on the generic and specific skills necessary to deliver English Partnerships’ core business and how the Agency can access, support and develop these skills. Its conclusions focused on the combination of generic and specialist skills required for leadership in regeneration.
A further example of research launched during the year is the Urban Regeneration Index commissioned by English Partnerships and Morley Fund Management and undertaken by IPD. This index showed that long term returns from commercial properties in urban regeneration areas have performed broadly in line with the wider UK market since 1995 and over the short term most property types in these areas have out-performed UK property.

This has resulted in the creation of a new annual index which will be used to track the performance of property in regeneration areas benefiting from public and private investment.
In addition to our joint working with the Housing Corporation, we are also joining our research efforts over 2004/2005 with the programmes of the Civic Trust and the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA).
Our own research into skills, together with the conclusions of the Egan Review and the increased emphasis on the need to build capacity in the sector, has led us to enhance our own skills base as well as working with our partners to focus on their needs. We developed a new Graduate Programme which started in September 2005 and have enjoyed welcoming the first 12 graduates.
We have also set up the National Consultancy Unit, which provides specialist advice and support to our own regional teams where there is a project or programme of particular complexity which would benefit from additional expertise. Part of the Unit is the newly formed Advisory Team for Large Applications (ATLAS) which offers direct support to individual local planning authorities to deliver key Government objectives such as large-scale housing developments or regeneration projects.
In conjunction with Communities and Local Government and other agencies, our National Coalfields team is helping to prepare a sustainable energy delivery plan and best practice guide. The objective is to create mechanisms to minimise energy consumption on sites and, as a result, reduce CO₂ emissions together with the creation of energy through renewable sources. The plan will analyse ways of realising the potential of renewable energy on sites ranging from the use of biomass through to wind and solar energy.
Our work in developing the practical application of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) was featured at the Delivering Sustainable Communities Summit in Manchester in January 2005. Our exhibition stand was a three-storey family home which demonstrated how to bring together innovative design and MMC to maximise cost effectiveness without compromising quality or desirability. The Summit House has been seen as a possible blue print for new affordable and mid-market homes. Later this year it will be incorporated into a development of around 25 homes in Allerton Bywater Millennium Community near Leeds.
On 1 April 2005 English Partnerships launched on behalf of Ministers the Design for Manufacture Competition which will pilot the construction of sustainable, well-designed, good quality homes for around £60,000. We are inviting consortia to bid for the right to construct new developments on a number of English Partnerships' sites. In this programme we are challenging developers to reduce cost without sacrificing quality.
Working with partners Design for Homes and the Civic Trust we identified an opportunity to share experiences with local elected members. During this year we have undertaken a series of 10 pilot Action Learning Tours, whereby local Council Members are invited to visit some of the best examples of higher density housing developments. The aim is to try and dispel the bad press that has accompanied policy statements on density issues. Evaluation of the study tours has shown the change in attitudes that can be achieved over a small scale programme of visits and presentations.
We always seek to undertake research and best practice work collaboratively so that the results and practical outcomes can have the maximum benefit and impact on the challenges facing our business as well as that of our partners.