Curo News

Bishopsworth bin store improvements

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 09:55:11 Z

Residents in Bishopsworth are now benefiting from a transformed communal bin store, following a major upgrade designed to tackle issues with waste, fly‑tipping and pest control.

The site, serving 24 flats, had poor facilities for many year that made waste disposal difficult and unpleasant for residents. With an entrance outside the site’s boundary railings, the area was vulnerable to misuse and meant the space had become increasingly unattractive and prone to fly‑tipping.

This was combined with lighting and security features which weren’t working, broken guttering, and a leaking roof. With no recycling facilities available and a growing rat problem caused by food waste and undergrowth, many residents avoided using the bin store altogether.

Recognising the impact this was having on the community, a comprehensive improvement project was launched to completely overhaul the site.

A fresh start for the bin store

The transformation began with the demolition and removal of the old bin store, clearing the way for a modern, fit‑for‑purpose facility. A new concrete base was laid, and modular bin units installed, providing a cleaner, more robust solution for waste storage.

One of the most significant changes was a redesign of the layout. Resident access was turned through 90 degrees so the entrance now opens directly into the car park. This simple but effective change has improved visibility and accessibility while helping to deter fly‑tipping. The area has also been fully fenced, creating a clear boundary and reinforcing the facilities are for residents’ use only.

Tackling pests and improving cleanliness

Alongside the physical improvements, action was taken to address the rat infestation that had made the bin store unsafe and unwelcoming. Working closely with external pest control contractors, undergrowth where rats were nesting was cleared and bait traps were installed to bring the problem under control.

New secure communal food waste bins were introduced, supported by Bristol Waste to launch dedicated food waste collections at the site. Residents were given kitchen food waste caddies to make separation of waste easier and more convenient.

Clear signage has also been installed to guide residents on how to use the new recycling and food waste facilities correctly, helping to prevent contamination and keep the area clean.

Listening to and supporting residents

Communication with residents was a key part of the project. Letters were sent ahead of the works to explain the plans and what residents could expect, followed by further updates once the new facilities were ready.

Door‑to‑door visits were also carried out to deliver kitchen caddies and explain the new recycling systems face‑to‑face. These conversations helped reinforce why it’s important not to mix materials in the wrong bins and gave residents an opportunity to ask questions directly.

A safer, cleaner place for the community

By improving the design, pest control and communication, the project has addressed the root causes of fly‑tipping and misuse, not just the symptoms. It’s led to a safer, cleaner and more welcoming bin store that residents can use with confidence.

Trees, Shrubs and Grass Maintenance - Estates campaign March

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 10:34:37 Z

We work hard to make our estates safe and popular places to live. So, it’s important the outside areas we’re responsible for are also a nice environment for everyone.

Grounds maintenance is done throughout the year, but it increases between March and October, as this is when most greenery does its growing. The main jobs include:

grass cutting
shrub and hedge pruning
managing growth along pathways/access routes
leaf clearance at the end of each growing season.

We also carry out planting and projects with partners to help improve estates and promote biodiversity and resilience.

All outside works are dependent on the weather, so timings can vary each year.

Did you know we:

cut more than 550,000 square metres of grass
manage 22,000 square metres of meadow grass to increase biodiversity
maintain over 55,000 square metres of shrubs
look after nearly 20,000 metres of hedging, pruned twice per year, tailored to the type of hedge
manage and clear leaves from over 48,000 square metres of pathways and open areas.

We also look after larger areas of open space, verges and small play areas. Across all our estates we have a growing tree population of 9,500 trees. This is on top of other woodland areas we manage.

To find out when your next grounds maintenance visit is, enter your postcode here Glendale Local - Curo - Glendale Live

Grading is as easy as A+ to C

So we have clear way for customers, landlords and contractors to understand the standards we work towards, we use a grading system that’s been developed in consultation with tenants across the UK.

Everything we’re responsible for is scored from A+ to C and covers things like length of grass, hedge growth, weeds and impacts on paths and roads. There’s more details in our estates standards booklet. You can also find out about how you can help us keep your green spaces a great place to use.

Work for new play area for Whiteway Green is underway

Wed, 22 May 2024 12:00:00 Z

A community play area in Whiteway in Bath is being given a new lease of life.

We’ve been given £40,000 to buy and install new play equipment at Whiteway Green as part of a funding initiative to support local communities, and work is well underway and on course to be completed in time for the summer holidays.

The new play area will include swings and toddler equipment, and will be installed close to the existing play site for older children.

Curo’s Director of Estates Services, Carl McMurtry, said: “Whiteway Green is one of our largest parks, and we’re excited to be able to deliver this project for the community.

“When putting the plans together, we listened to the views of young people, community groups and councillors, and we hope that the new play equipment will be used and enjoyed by families from around the local area.”

The money has been awarded as part of the Bath Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) - a planning charge introduced by the government to help local authorities support the development of their area to benefit communities, and Curo submitted the bid in partnership with B&NES councillors Tim Ball and Sarah Moore.

Councillor Sarah Moore said, "I'm delighted that the funding has been agreed and look forward to working with Curo on this project."

Introducing the Curo Grounds Team

Thu, 16 May 2024 10:01:35 Z

We now have a dedicated Grounds Team at Curo who will be carrying out repairs to paths, walls and fences.

The team will be fixing cracks and replacing damaged sections in paths, repairing fencing posts and panels, and sorting out damaged brickwork and pointing in existing walls.

Larger, more complex jobs, will continue to be managed by our contractors.

The team has been created to help ensure that these smaller repairs can be carried out more quickly and efficiently. They’ve already made great progress on reducing the number of outstanding jobs, completing around 65 tasks every month.

If you have a path, wall or fence that needs repairing, please get in touch through MyCuro, on the website, or by calling the Customer Contact Team.

Grass cutting

Tue, 05 Mar 2024 09:46:36 Z

Grass cutting across our estates is due to begin this month.

Here’s how often you can expect work to be carried out. Please remember, however, that these tasks are weather dependant so timings may need to change.

Grass cutting (most areas except those designated as meadow grass, or areas with limited accessibility): up to 13 cuts a year from March to October/November (within every 4 weeks), with cuts taking place more often during the summer.

Sheltered Accommodation: up to 16 cuts a year from March to October/November (around every 2 weeks), with cuts taking place more often during the summer.

Areas such as banks and slopes, or woodland edges, that have limited accessibility or need specialist equipment to manage will have two cuts a year.

We have a number of meadow grass areas at some of our sites that are designated “Do Nothing For Nature” sites. The grass is left to grow in order to encourage biodiversity. These areas will only have two cuts a year – once in early spring, and again in autumn.

These areas can be found at:

Chantry Mead, Moorlands
Coxley Drive, Larkhall
Freeview Road, Bath
Huish Court, Writhlington
Lympsham Green and Cranmore Place, Odd Down
Meg Thatchers Green, Bristol
Midsummer Buildings, Bath
Mountain Wood, Bathford
Newbridge Court, Bath
Norman Road, Saltford
Pine Court, Radstock
Poolemead Road and Eleanor Close, Bath
Redland Park, Bath
Southlands, Weston, Bath
St Johns Court, Keynsham
The Oval, Bath
Whiteway Green, Bath
Poplar Close, Bath

Other grounds works

Hedges and shrubs: 2 trims a year – summer and winter

Leaf clearance: once per year after full leaf fall (November onwards) – with the addition of Curo cleaners clearing paths that are blocked throughout winter to make safe

Paths and Parking Areas: twice per year