NEWS FROM CRESR, SHEFFIELD HALLAM

NEW RESEARCH PROJECTS
Barriers to Delivering Rural Affordable Housing in Wales
CRESR researchers have been commissioned by the Welsh Assembly government to investigate the barriers to delivering affordable housing in rural areas of Wales, to identify examples of good practice and to make policy recommendations to facilitate the provision of affordable rural housing in a challenging economic and political environment. The research includes a survey of key stakeholders and local planning authorities and detailed case studies. A final report will be produced in June 2009. For information about this study contact John Flint: j.f.flint@shu.ac.uk

Calderdale Irish Health Study
NHS Calderdale (in West Yorkshire) has commissioned CRESR to carry out a new research project to explore the health needs and well being of the older Irish population (50 years and over) in the district. The study will also examine Irish people’s use and experiences of health and health-related services, and the extent to which their health needs are met by existing statutory and voluntary sector providers. A final report will be produced in March 2009. For further information about this study please contact Rionach Casey: r.casey@shu.ac.uk

Green Corridor Strategy Review
A CRESR-led consortium involving Ed Ferrari (University of Sheffield) and MTL Consultants has been commissioned to carry out a Review of the Green Corridor Strategy. The Green Corridor is a joint initiative involving a partnership arrangement between the three local authorities of Barnsley, Doncaster and Wakefield. The programme began as a mechanism to stimulate housing market renewal but has since broadened to encompass wider economic and community objectives. The project aims to review the success and impact of the Green Corridor programme and to ensure that the forward strategy is appropriate to the changing economic context and is aligned with emerging national and regional policies. The Final Report will be produced in June 2009. For further information about this study please contact Ian Cole: i.d.cole@shu.ac.uk

RESEARCH REPORTS
Bashir, N. and Flint, J. (2008) The Construction of a New Mosque in an English City: A Study of the Madina Masjid (Mosque) and Sheffield Islamic Centre (Sheffield: Sheffield Hallam University)

This report presents the findings of a study of a new build mosque and Islamic centre in Sheffield. The study investigated the politics of the new development, the role of the planning process and how the mosque was conceptualised within wider policies aimed at fostering community cohesion in Sheffield.

For further information about this study and a copy of the final report please contact Nadia Bashir: nadia.bashir@shu.ac.uk

OTHER ACTIVITIES
In December 2008, CRESR hosted an exchange study visit to Sheffield by 15 senior policymakers and practitioners from the Netherlands, led by Professor Ronald Van Kempen. The visit included tours of local and regional housing regeneration initiatives and a series of lectures by researchers and academics.