Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Victoria

The Victoria estate is located to central Stockton and adjacent to the commercial town centre. Following a stock transfer in December 2010, the social housing stock is now owned by Tristar Homes Limited (part of The Vela Group). The Victoria Estate comprises 254 dwellings, made up of maisonettes and flats.

Initial consultation with tenants and leaseholders regarding potential regeneration proposals commenced back in 2009, in the lead up the stock transfer, and the majority were in support of demolition and re-build at that time.

Further consultation with residents took place late 2011, to both reaffirm the opinions of local people about the proposed regeneration and gain additional information to help profile the area. This information has since been fed to master planners DTZ, who were jointly appointed by the Council and Vela Group. DTZ will undertake further research and use this information to prepare a viable plan for the area, together with a phased strategy for when residents could expect to be relocated.

It is anticipated that a draft master plan will be available for residents to comment on mid 2012.

Life in Victoria - History Project

The proposed regeneration of the estate is about looking to the future with a desire to improve the physical nature of the area and the health and well being of residents. However, to fully appreciate what has been achieved it is important to understand the estate's past. This has been recognised by a number of residents on the estate who are members of SACA (Stockton African Caribbean Association).

In 2011, local resident's group SACA approached Stockton Council and Tristar Homes with a proposal to undertake a project to record what life was like on the estate (involving all residents) for the period 2001 - 2011.

The project is due to start early 2012 and will take approximately three months to complete. Film, photographs and audio recordings of interviews with people living in the area will be used to document the recent history of the estate and to celebrate the unique diversity of the community.

The project will end with an exhibition and presentation in Spring or early Summer 2012, and all local residents will be invited to attend. The project will give an interesting and unique insight into the area, presenting a best practice example of multi-cultural living and community spirit.

This project provides a great opportunity for all Victoria residents to get involved, so if you have a story to tell or would like to take part in the project please contact Mr Herbert Dirahu (SACA Lead officer) on 07916123736 or by email at hdirahu@hotmail.com.