Improving local area/property value

hyposmurf

This may sound a bit far fetched an idea, but in the interests of trying to raise the value of my property investment,I'e tried to think of ways in which to improve the area in which I live in.
I'm looking to see if anyone has any other ideas than a few that I am already doing which are:

Keeping the entrance and street clean in my street and the connecting street.Nuts I know but I've been out collecting rubbish that gets left by the local indian take away.Reporting over full bins and litter on streets to the local council,they are menat to attend within 48 hrs.

Reporting any defective street lamposts,drains,roads and footpaths t local council asap.

Asking my local councillors how if they can help improve the area and ask what they are doing to help already.Such as asking when our local communiy centre will be rebuilt to keep the kids busy in the area rather than harrassing shop keepers.

Even though we pay ground maintenance fees I've been helping out keep the community gardens in good trim.If I and others didnt youd just get your grass cut a few times a year and the gardens wouldnt look anywhere near as nice

I've also tried to contact the knowhere guide to recify information that is well out of date and incorrect on their website for my area.They don't ever seem to reply though

Keeping bus companies informed when their bus shelters are in need of repair and timetables missing etc.

Do you think that by getting my council to carry out more work than they would normally bother to do will give rise to higher council tax?Strange I never really much cared for where I lived until I bought my own place.Everything is associated the community,crime,property prices,education.Might seem like a busy body but unless people give a toss about where they reside then the area will just start to spiral downwards,crime goes up,education suffers and property value decrease.

Anyone else got any other ideas?

abbecer

I admire your determination. As you say if everyone didn't care things would be in a right state.

Rebecca

hyposmurf

Exactly.I could sit there and moan about it all or try to take some action.I'm interested to see if anyone else knows of ways in which to improve there area.I also believe that if I'm going to pay council tax,why should I sit there for monthsl ooking at the broken lampost ,the road that has potholes and is constantly covered in litter,the bus shelter that looks like it was nver reapired since the blitz.

sciencegeek

We are fortunate to have a very enthusiastic chap on our street who has a very good understanding of the way councils work.
Due to his efforts the street now benefits from having several trees planted at intervals along the pavements and we have had all the old yellow streetlights replaced with bright white victorian style ones.
We are hoping to have alley gating installed soon as well, this should cut down on the amount of junk that gets left and the number of dog turds that inconsiderate pet owners never bother to clear up.
Apparently councils often hve money set aside for things like this but if you dont apply you dont get (they wont come knocking on your door to tell you all about the funds).

hope this helps

lynzpower

one thing that does work is the property being in a neighbourhood watch area.

Sumostar

See if your council has money available for Neighbourhood Renewal projects.

Each year my local council distributes some funding through Area Forum meetings, where people are encouraged to suggest ways of spending the money that will benefit the area. Alley gates and dog poo bins are the most popular request, but a munber of different schemes have been funded that have brought real benefits.

hyposmurf

I've heard of similar schemes in by my council but thought they were more directed at charity or rejuvination groups.I'll have another look.
How did he manage to get the tree planting done?Thats something that would look great in our area as we have a vast open stretch of pavement and road.

I thought neighbourhood watch just brought the cost of home insurance down in the area?

Thanks for your replies I'd thought I'd get a barrage of negative replies, from members who couldn't see where I was coming from.

Debt_Free_Chick

hyposmurf

Your local council - is this a Parish Council or a District/Borough Council.

Do they have a Local Action Plan?

Can you confirm the name of the Council, as I may have some ideas for you (I am a Parish Council Clerk).

amyandoli

well done you!
i think it's great that you're putting in the effort to improve your area.
i live in a small village, and at the end of the street was a plot of spare grass, that the residents clubbed together and turned into a flower/seating area. it makes the whole street more attractive, and is a nice community activity.
a clean street is more attractive to buyers too, but it'd be nice if people took pride all the time, not just when they wanted to sell.:A

hyposmurf

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

Your local council - is this a Parish Council or a District/Borough Council.

Its the largest parish council in our county

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

Do they have a Local Action Plan?

Not sure if they do.I found something online about certain things that were allocated budgets in our area.Maybe this is it.

Debt_Free_Chick wrote:

Can you confirm the name of the Council, as I may have some ideas for you (I am a Parish Council Clerk).

I'll send you a PM with the name and thanks.

Walked out of my property yesterday to find grafitti spayed over the main wall serving the entrance to our road.The entire development is just over a year old,totally gutting I was fuming!
Anyway I've cleaned it off this morning with paint stripper and a scrubing brush,took me an hour,looked like a bit of a nutter scrubbing the wall.:) , but I'm quite pleased its gone.Possible that more might appear though, might see if our landlord will supply us with some enviromentally friendly graffitti remover in readiness.

Jake'sGran

You are to be applauded. For me the best thing anyone can do to make an area desirable or at least having it looking better is to have trees, more trees and plants in as many spots as are available. Our local council have really made a huge difference to the main road near where we live. It used to have a scruffy unused look with boarded up shops etc but now each year there are big floral displays and a lot of new buildings going up.