FAMILIES are celebrating a half-a-million-pound windfall which will help boost community spirit on their estate.

Over the past four years Rose Hill in Oxford has seen 98 prefabricated homes knocked down and replaced by 254 new homes.

Now the focus on rebuilding shifts to community and social regeneration.

Refurbishment of the community centre, more sports facilities and public art are all planned, using £500,000 raised from the recent building developments.

Residents voted for what they thought the estate needed, and now the final decisions have been revealed by Oxford City Council.

About £4,000 of the money will be spent on a community fun day for everybody in the area.

A community worker will also be employed for two years to encourage people to make the best use of the new facilities.

Residents have said it was “brilliant news”.

Of the 254 new homes, 113 have been for private sale by Bryant Homes and 141 as affordable homes for Oxford Citizen’s Housing Association.

More than £435,000 has been given to the estate by developers as part of a Section 106 agreement – a contribution towards community improvements as part of getting planning permission.

Another £74,000 has come from the city council to be used exclusively for improving sports facilities, bringing the total amount to £509,755.

Juliet Oluyitan, who lives in Nowell Road with her seven-year-old twins, Michelle and Michael, and son Gabriel, five, said: “Everyone in Rose Hill will benefit.

“I have lived here two years now and it is so exciting to see the regeneration going on around the estate. I am very happy my children will have more opportunities.”

The plans were approved by the city council’s south east area committee last Monday.

The community centre, in The Oval, is set for a major refurbishment, with a ‘ballroom’ floor being built, a new heating system installed and a complete revamp of the outside.

Long-time Rose Hill resident Bill Buckingham, 89, of Court Farm Road, said he was looking forward to work starting.

He said: “I have been secretary of the community centre for about 70 years and I remember when it first opened.

“We all want the hall to be brought up to date so it can be used by everyone.

“It is nice to see that money is being invested in the estate and it is exciting for all the residents here.”

Rose Hill community worker Fran Gardner said: “This is brilliant for the estate.

“So many people have let us know what they feel Rose Hill needs and I think this list really shows that.”

More than 160 people from Rose Hill filled in questionnaires, 50 attended focus groups and 60 went to a public consultation day as organisers sought to gauge public feeling.

Rose Hill city councillor Antonia Bance said: “It is fantastic to have this money to spend on Rose Hill.

“This is extremely positive news for everybody living here, who will soon be able to make use of all the new facilities.”

A start date for the work has yet to be announced.

WHERE THE MONEY GOES

* Refurbishment of community centre as ‘ballroom’: £45,000

*Rose Hill pavilion project: £10,000

*Improve and create new sporting facilities: £74,000

*Improving entrance areas and access at the community centre: £50,000

*Employment of community worker for two years: £42,755

*Contribution to junior youth club: £9,000

* New heating system and boiler at community centre: £153,000

* Refurbish toilets at Norman Brown Hall: £50,000

* External maintenance work on community centre: £40,000

* Picnic area for families in the park: £2,000

* Community event: £4,000

* Increase activities for young people: £9,000

* Improve access to community centre’s upstairs meeting rooms: £15,000

* Public art: £6,000