What this means for Preston
In line with our three-year plan, we are taking a closer look at the Preston area, with an eye on what improvements we could make both now and in the longer-term. This means reviewing the condition of homes, outdoor spaces and how the neighbourhood works for the people who live here. We are committed to listening, learning and working with you to shape a plan for improvement built on your priorities.
In August and September 2024, we asked Raven customers and the wider community to share your views on what you think works well and what could be improved about the Preston area.
Your feedback has shown us what’s not working and where meaningful improvements can be made. This time, we want to delve deeper - hearing more from Raven customers about your homes and from the wider community about the neighbourhood, open spaces and local amenities.
Thank you to everyone who took part - your feedback has been invaluable. We’re now moving into the next phase of this important work.
What You Told Us Matters Most
Landscape and open spaces: Improvements to landscape and overall upkeep of streets and shared spaces
Facilities & maintenance: Improvements to shops, better recycling and rubbish options, and more activities for young people
Parking: Ongoing issues with limited parking for residents and visitors, as well as concerns about illegal parking
Safety: Worries about antisocial behaviour, drug use, littering and speeding vehicles
Getting around: Limited public transport options, poor pedestrian and cycling links, and poor road maintenance.
Since September 2024,
we’ve been reviewing your feedback and investigating what is practical and possible. We have also been exploring where the greatest impact can be made
Our ambitions
Our ambitions for the Preston area can be summed up as follows:
Create a community that is safer, more connected and more inclusive.
Provide open spaces that support play, encourage nature to thrive, promote wellbeing and boost biodiversity.
Raven provide affordable homes that are fit for the future - warmer in winter, quieter and cheaper to run.
These ambitions reflect not only what Raven customers told us during the development of our three-year plan, but also what the wider community shared during our first round of engagement in August and September 2024.
We know that some of our older homes were built to standards that don’t meet today’s expectations - they may have issues such as poor ventilation, limited insulation and outdated heating systems. Our focus will be on addressing these challenges and exploring the best options to boost energy efficiency, comfort, and affordability.
Our key goals
Complete a review of all Raven homes in the Preston area to identify where improvements are most needed so we can make the right changes in the right places.
Meet our sustainability and net-zero commitments:
All Raven homes to achieve an EPC rating of C or above by 2030
Aim to achieve Net Zero Carbon* by 2050.
Improve green and public spaces to better support play, wellbeing and nature. This means creating spaces that feel safe, promote community use and boost biodiversity.
Deliver future-proofed, energy-efficient homes powered by sustainable sources that are better for the environment and cheaper to run.
Opportunities for more homes
We are carefully reviewing the area to see if or where new homes could be introduced to help deliver much-needed affordable housing.
Enhancing Local Centres
We’re looking at how we can increase and improve facilities and community spaces, and enhance outdoor spaces.
Improving Routes and Connections
We want to make it easier, safer and more enjoyable to move around the neighbourhood, especially for pedestrians and cyclists. This includes upgrading key routes to local centres and ensuring they are safe, accessible and welcoming for everyone.
*Net Zero Carbon means not adding extra greenhouse gases to the atmosphere - by introducing energy-efficient measures and offsetting any remaining emissions through actions like tree planting - so the amount we produce equals the amount we remove.
A collaborative approach to deliver real change
Creating lasting change takes more than one organisation. While Raven is leading this work, we can’t do it all alone. This is why we are working with our partners, including Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Surrey County Council and other housing service providers in the area, to deliver improvements that reflect what matters most to you.