Jo Butcher Group Director, ENCAMS Understanding Resident Perception of the Local Environment Jeff Buck Programme Support Manager Neighbourhood Development Company

Neighbourhood Development Company delivering the New Deal for Communities programme in Radford and Hyson Green Nottingham

The NDC Area  Inner-city area (½ mile from city centre)  9,000 people  5,000 households  One square mile in area  Only 16% own their own home (national average - 70%)  Majority of households (57%) socially rented (national average 20%)  The remaining 26% of households rent privately  71% of privately rented households are aged  Mixed housing type – High rise flats, terraced houses, detached and semi-detached properties, purpose built-student accommodation  Many small businesses (mainly retail)

The NDC Area  Unusual gender split with 57% of the population being male and only 43% female. The national average is 49% male, 51% female  Almost half the population of Radford and Hyson Green is between 16 and 24 years old (48 %). Nationally year olds make up only 11% of the population  High proportion of students in the area – around 30% of the total population  The area is becoming increasingly ethnically diverse. Currently 36% of the population consider themselves to be within a BME group but there has been a recent influx of Eastern European migrants

The NDC Area  Around 60% of the Radford and Hyson Green population have lived at their current address for less than 3 years, this is more than twice the national average of 25%  A further 20% have been resident for between 3 and 9 years (compared to a national average of 27%)  Only 21% of the population have been resident for 10 years or more (compared to a national average of 46%)  Just over half of the people living in the area (52%) would like to stay in the area; nationally the average is 77%

Background On the ground assessment of the local environmental quality of the area Programme of research to identify resident perception of local environmental quality and antisocial behaviour in the area

Aim To provide the NDC with:  An independent assessment of the local environmental quality  Information about residents’ perceptions of local environmental quality and antisocial behaviour in Radford and Hyson Green

Methodology Stage 2: Qualitative Research  Four focus groups  Invitation via on street and in home canvassing, small cash incentive  Semi structured by discussion guide  Participants split by residents from high rise properties, students and non-transient residents Stage 3: Quantitative Research  To obtain baseline data  200 questionnaires carried out on street with residents of the area to measure attitudes towards local environmental quality and antisocial behaviour  10 minute survey – over weekdays, evenings and weekends to ensure representative sample Stage 1: Local Environmental Quality (LEQ) Survey  On the ground survey of the area assessing the local environmental quality  162 sections of street (transects) surveyed  Assessments included levels and types of litter, weed growth, detritus, staining, graffiti, fly-posting, fly- tipping, condition of street furniture and bin condition and fill

Stage 1: LEQ Survey

Stages 2 and 3: Research Findings

“There are certain places I wouldn’t walk” “It’s beautiful.” “It’s kept clean.” “…there’s such a big community feel to it…” “Yeah it’s [vandalism] almost the worst because it’s mindless.”

Services Residents were very positive about refuse collection service, but there were problems with facilities in the flats Variety of recycling behaviours Mixed views on the doorstep recycling service 81% were satisfied with the rubbish collection service “They’re the only people, the bin men, [who] do their jobs properly” 17% were very satisfied with the doorstep recycling service, 23% were very dissatisfied “Recycling never crossed my mind to be honest” “ I do recycle, I’ve got bags and bags of stuff on my porch and I take it every time I go to ASDA”

Local Environment Base: 200 (All) Gap analysis: resident perception of…

Residents appeared to be very proud of their heritage in the area – real sense of belonging Cultural diversity of the area positively noted by many residents Good facilities, including the shops nearby, as well as the parks and open spaces 82% felt it was important to have access to parks and open spaces “Many different cultures you know kind of merge together” “…there’s such a big community feel to it…” Sense of Belonging to the Neighbourhood

Neighbourhood Issues Base: 200 (All) Gap analysis: resident perception of…

Perceived lack of street lighting or street lighting that was blocked by overgrown trees contributed Personal Safety Feelings of uneasiness and fear for safety were high in the area Lack of police presence was perceived to be facilitating the antisocial behaviour and related problems in the area “…they [trees] need to be trimmed back… they’ve spent all this money putting in new lighting making them posh and whatever and you can’t really get any light.” 85% felt safe in their own home, only 47% felt safe in the street where they live after dark, 36% felt safe in their neighbourhood after dark. “ They need to put one [police officer] round here, there’s nothing round here.”

Strategic Actions Share findings with:  City Council Neighbourhood Management team to inform local priorities and consider joint action  One Nottingham (LSP) Partnerships to inform Local Area Agreement priorities and interventions around Safer, Stronger, Cleaner, Greener themes. These include:  Liveability Partnership  Communities and Neighbourhoods Partnership  Crime and Drugs Partnership  Use report to inform/modify NDC 2008/2009 Delivery Plan where appropriate

Short Term/Operational Actions  Use report to inform Eco Team planning and tasking  Share with Tenant’s and Residents’ Groups and get feedback  Information sharing event to discuss the report and its implications for the area  Meetings with target groups: Students, older people, young people, those living in high rise flats, businesses, etc  Follow on research through NDC staff and Young Advisors’ project

For further information, please contact:  Jo Butcher Group Director - Market Research and Local Campaigns, ENCAMS T: /  Jeff Buck Programme Support Manager, NDC T: