Somers Town History (Dip 1 Research Work)

History of Somers Town

Somers Town is mainly a post-war public sector housing estate with a high percentage of high rise flats which were built during the late 1950’s to 1970. Due to the increasing growth of the population the district could no longer hold this increase. A significant number of the terraced housing with multiple occupation was in very poor condition, due to bombing from the war. Before the regeneration of Somerstown the streets and public houses were used heavily by the residents to socialise due to housing being too small for entertaining in. It was considered there was a lack of insufficient modern standards, so it was acknowledged that the old Somers Town had to go so that more housing could be provided to hold that growing population.
There was also a heavily used tram line which was used for public transport and this was a good way of socialising. Due to the new roads put in place it was felt this was not needed anymore and other transport was provided. Currently there is no public transport running through Somers Town. However there is in the surrounding areas of Winston Churchill Avenue, Elm Grove and Victoria Road North. Unfortunately this is not easily accessible for the more disabled people who have to travel from the centre of Somers Town to the perimeter of it to use its services.

Key Statistics

From this table the data illustrate that Somers Town is a highly densely populated area compared to the rest of Portsmouth and the majority live in flats, 40% of Somers Town accommodation is council rented compared to the 13.3% of the overall city. A total of 70.3% of Somers town is rented accommodation compared to the 35.2% rented sector of the city wide. This implies along with the other figures that Somers Town is a more deprived area financially with less income and there is the use of Housing Benefit claims for 39.1% of residents.
Due to the lack of finance within the area it is evident people cannot afford to embellish their own property or do not take pride in keeping it reputable having other priorities in using their finances. With this high percentage of the accommodation being rented housing, it could imply that the council has little capital to put back into maintaining the accommodation and area to high standards. The other half of the rented sector (private rented) receives less attention. Unfortunately most of the landlords main objectives is to make as much revenue from their tenants as possible rather than investing the profit back into the accommodation. So there property is kept to the lowest possible acceptable standards which people are willing to live in using the least amount of money invested into it.


Conservation Areas and Listed Buildings:

Within the area of Somerstown there are certain listed buildings and conservation area as listed below which reflect some of the old Somers Town and give the place some character within the area.

Conservation Area No: 3 – “King Street”.
Conservation Area No: 6 – “The Terraces”.
St Luke’s Church, Greetham Street (Grade II).
Former Plaza Cinema, Bradford Junction (Grade II).
18 Belmont Street (Grade II).
1-11 Gloucester View (Grade II).
1-15 (odds) Norfolk Street (Grade II).
70-86 (evens) King Street (Grade II).
53-71 (odds) King Street (Grade II).
24 & 25 Landport Terrace (Grade II).
17 &19 Landport Terrace (Grade II).
10-13 Landport Terrace (Grade II).
19-30 Hampshire Terrace (Grade II).
19 Hampshire Terrace (Grade II).
11 Hampshire Terrace (Grade II).
The Old Vic Public House, St Paul’s Road (Grade II).
Charter House, Lord Montgomery Way (Grade II).
Lamp column Eldon Street.
Lamp column Norfolk Street.


Problems within Summers Town

The council have recognised there are problems within Somerstown which have include high crime rates, low education success, high levels of unemployment and poor quality of some of its environment. Community buildings are at the end of their lives and need replacing, this has resulted to consultation exercises since 2000 with some of the local residents within the area. The aim of the consultations was to gain local peoples views on the area and also to discuss how things can be improved within the area. These consultations have occurred due to residents wanting to improve their quality of life and create a stronger and safer community.


The Architects Involved

The design team is organised by Terence O’Rourke Ltd in partnership with Alan Baxter & Associates. Terence O’Rourke Ltd have previous experience in regeneration projects, master planning, urban design and landscape architecture. Alan Baxter & Associates will liaise with them working specifically on the transport and traffic issues to create safer streets.

From newspaper articles, proceedings for the proposed mater plan and research into the architects involved. Both state on their objectives that working with the community and human impact is essential.
These objectives can been seen in the following events that have recently taken place within the past 5 years:


Proposals to redevelop Somers Town

With the problems occurring in Somers Town the council have set a brief for a new master plan:

The provision of a high quality urban environment with a strong emphasis upon urban design in order to create character, identify and a greater sense of safety and security;
The creation of a more balanced mix of uses and housing tenures;
The development of a new community and sports facilities, located to give good accessibility to the residents they serve and to provide focal points for community activity;
The creation of an environment where people can walk, cycle and use public transport safely and conveniently thus reduce the need to travel by car;
The incorporation of sustainable development principles into building design and layout to increase energy efficiency and create flexible or lifetime buildings;
The involvement of the local community in planning, design and ongoing management and decision making in their area.

The Somers Town & North Southsea Regeneration team have also set up a vision statement which works alongside the councils brief:

“We understand that the aim of the Somers Town & North Southsea Regeneration Plan is to create a sustainable urban community, meaning that it will improve quality of life and foster local pride, and act as a springboard for social and economic regeneration. This will be achieved by creating a safe, active and attractive environment with a new community heart”

The council have already started working with these aims in mind and have had workshops which have been intended for the residents to participate in. I was fortunate enough to attend one of these workshops held at St Peters Church, 26.11.05. There was the opportunity for the local residents to view different ideas the architect had suggested and put forward their own opinions on those schemes. All 3 of the schemes involved demolition of some of the social housing to increase public space for playgrounds, health centres, open space and parking facilities. Alongside these schemes and from hearing the proposals there were interactive workshops to discuss further residents opinions, concerns and possible confusions they had regarding the proposed schemes. They also had a drop in centre for others to view what had been mentioned from these workshops who were unable to attend the main meeting so they could also forward their opinions on a variety of different maps marked with post it note suggestions.

The following are the main priorities for Somerstown expressed by the Somerstown Residents:

1. Crime and safety
For example, CCTV needed
Reduce incidents of vandalism
Reduce rowdiness and noise at night

2. The Environment
For example, cleaner streets and play areas.
More waste bins and rubbish collections

3. Health
For example, health centre - local provision for basic services,
Counselling services

4. Community
For example, Demolish Sarah Duffen Centre
Adventure playground

5. Traffic
For example, traffic calming
Car parking

6. Work & Training
For example, community nursery
Job club

7. Housing
For example, repairs and maintenance
Residents associations
Segregated housing (older people/ families)

8. Leisure
For example, adventure playground
Sports centre

The master plan

Similar interactive workshops and presentations which have taken place in the past and have been run by Somerstown Regeneration Board. From those previous suggestions they had been considered and incorporated into the master plan. So on the 30th August 2003 the master plan was put into trial by turning Sackville Street into a green walkway to show people what could be achieved within the area. Synthetic turf and green tiles was laid in the street, along with planting. Large colour plans, artist impressions and a 3D model was available to be viewed along with representatives from the council to answer peoples questions. This session was also working alongside a entertainment programme which included live music, circus acts, majorettes and street dance. All this was available for residents of all ages and people working within Somerstown with the intention of getting people of all ages to mix and build up a stronger community spirit.


Bibliography

www.somerstown.com
www.alanbaxter.co.uk
http://www.torltd.co.uk/
www.portsmouth.gov.uk
http://www.hants.gov.uk/
www.the-partnership.co.uk

Portsmouth City Council Planning Service

Portsmouth City Museum and Records Service
Hampshire County Council
The Somerstown & North Southsea Regeneration Office
The Somerstown & North Southsea Regeneration Workshop, 26.11.05
Triggs, A. (1995) Portsmouth from the air. West Sussex: \Phillimore & Co LTD

Portsmouth & Southsea Journal