Residents Association consults on its vision for the Manor Estate
Ccommunity Space

The residents of the Manor Estate had a chance to comment and decide how the
green spaces on the Estate will be used at a recent consultation.

Manor Estate Residents Association (MERA) and Dacorum Borough Council
hosted a consultation evening on Tuesday 22nd March at Two Waters School,
where updates on green spaces and community facilities were presented and
feedback sought.

MERA is looking forward to working with the developer Bovis and Dacorum
Borough Council on the creation of volunteer run community spaces which form
part of the new Manor Estate development. The Estate comprises a large area
of green space which it is hoped can be developed in accordance to the recently
published Dacorum Borough Council green space strategy.

Ideas discussed included examples of green spaces ancient in nature and rich
in incredible wildlife and amenity value, new play areas for local residents and
an exciting ‘Green Space’on land adjacent to Two Waters School. The Green
Space could provide host to wildlife and allotment areas as well as a communal
building which the community can use for a variety of purpose from simple
neighbourhood meetings to children’s parties. The school is already in the
process of building a wildlife space and outdoor classroom on the boundary of
this site so this would complement perfectly.

Over 100 people attended the event.

Quote from Councillor Brian Ayling

"This event and information gathering session was extremely well attended by
the local residents and shows the continued and successful relationship that
the residents association has built up with the local population and Dacorum Borough Council in its role as the local planning authority. It also indicates that
MERA has already been participating in "localism", showing that the residents
have themselves implemented the broader concept of working together for the
benefit of the community. I hope that this was the first of a series of resident
information events that can be looked forward to during the coming months of
building and construction."

Quote from John Eardley of MERA

‘This is a great example of ‘localism’ in action and a practical example of where
the ‘Big Society’ can have a meaningful effect on the relationship between
citizens and local authorities. Hopefully this vision can provide a long term
centre to the expanded estate and provide a link between existing and new
residents when they arrive”.

The posters displayed and leaflets provided at the March 22nd meeting at Two Waters school regarding the planned development and use of green spaces can be found on the Resources page.

We would like to thank the residents of the Manor Estate in supporting our efforts to safeguard the green spaces within the planned development.

On March 3rd, 10am at the Civic Centre, committee members representing MERA will be attending a meeting at the council to discuss the vision for the community space.

On Wednesday February the 2nd, MECS will be delivering a presentation to the MERA committee to provide context and our vision for the community space.