Osmaston Community Association of Residents

Osmaston Community Association of Residents (OSCAR) is a resident led association established to tackle the social and physical regeneration of their community. It exists to serve the needs of everyone in the community of Osmaston Derby.

How it started

In January 2011, out of concerns about the vacant former Rolls Royce site at Nightingale Road, a group of Osmaston residents and local businesses  formed a working group to look at how Osmaston could be improved.

Derby City Council had already commisioned a masterplan to look at regeneration of the area but some of the proposals were of concern to residents. Derby Homes offered support to help the formation of an association to give more power to the residents and appointed a dedicated Community Initiative Officer to support the work.

In April 2011, OSCAR was formally constituted and in June 2011 OSCAR was officially launched. Derby Homes provided the old housing office at Addison Road, which has now become Resource Centre. The Centre is run by local volunteers who offer support to residents, use of computers, telephones and general advice.

Achievements

OSCAR launched the largest Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the UK, covering over 1900 properties (5200 residents). This has involved working closely with the Safer Neighbourhood Team,  Derby Homes Junior Wardens and local children

Working with Derby Homes, has levered in funding to build a new park and play area in Tennyson Street. OSCAR managed the consulation with residents and looked at the procurement process.

The group have secured funding from Derby Homes to erect fencing in Buchan Street and Tower Street to help tidy up the area.

The announcement of the grant (£1,078,000 in total) from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) signifies 12 months of hard work by residents to provide new homes on the ‘Elton Road Quadrant’ site.

The development will create 95 new properties for the area, including 40 affordable rented properties which will be owned by OSCAR.  The scheme is the only one of its type in the region, and will be the largest community led scheme in the country.

OSCAR has now appointed Derby Homes as their development agent for the scheme, and will employ Derby Homes to manage the rented properties once built.