A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration programme to create a new heart for the Oxmoor area of Huntingdon – including a health care centre and shops – has won an award. Huntingdonshire District Council picked up the honour in the community planning section of

A MULTI-MILLION pound regeneration programme to create a new heart for the Oxmoor area of Huntingdon - including a health care centre and shops - has won an award.

Huntingdonshire District Council picked up the honour in the community planning section of the Royal Town Planning Institute's national awards.

It was in recognition of the partnership work that underpinned The Oxmoor Action Plan.

The judges who visited the area were said to have been impressed not only with the plan itself, but at how quickly it was implemented.

They said the transformation had also had a positive effect on residents and had restored pride in the Oxmoor area.

Malcolm Sharp, director of operational services at HDC, said: "The programme has brought extensive changes to the facilities available, which has resulted in a changed perception of Oxmoor by the wider public".

The changes include the building of the new health facilities, Oak Tree Centre. This was the result of a partnership between HDC, the primary care trust and the doctors at the Acorn surgery, which the new health centre replaced.

A neighbourhood centre was also built, providing new shops with community facilities above, now occupied by Hunts Forum for Voluntary Services and other community groups.

Another part of the scheme was the building of 300 family homes, providing an affordable way to get on the housing ladder or rent a new property, and improved green open spaces, such as the new Conygear community park.

Councillor Nick Guyatt, executive councillor for planning strategy at the time the Oxmoor Action Plan was prepared, said, "I am delighted that we have received this award and that what we are doing at Oxmoor has been recognised by the Royal Town Planning Institute.

"It is a fine programme, an excellent example of partners working together with the local community."

INFORMATION: The regeneration programme led by the council is supported by Cambridgeshire County Council, Luminus Group, the PCT, John Martin and Associates, the local community and The Oxmoor Community Action Group.