Work to improve almost 900 affordable homes in east Durham has passed the half way mark with major changes to properties in Peterlee, Seaham and Easington Colliery.
County Durham Housing Group is improving insulation, fitting new roofs, plus installing new kitchens, bathrooms or heating systems in hundreds of properties across east Durham as part of a £138m county-wide investment. The ambitious programme is set to improve 890 homes in east Durham during 2018/19; and has just passed the half-way stage.
Among the homes already improved are bungalows in Petwell Crescent, Easington Colliery, which have been rendered to improve their appearance and increase energy efficiency. Other homes to have already benefitted from the work this year include flats on Manor Way in Peterlee and houses in nearby Braithwaite Road.
Environmental works are also being carried out on estates in the area, with a particular focus on footpaths and fences. Work is soon to begin on fitting new heating systems to 80 homes across the east Durham area too.
County Durham Housing Group’s 10-year improvement project will make homes cheaper to run and ensure high-quality affordable housing provision in scores of communities stretching from rural Weardale to the coast.
The group has more than 18,500 affordable homes across the county and also has a 545-home new-build programme with construction already underway on sites in Peterlee and Seaham.
County Durham Housing Group Investment Programme Manager, Stephen Brown, said: “We’re aiming to improve just short of 900 homes in east Durham this year as part of this major investment programme, and we’re well on track to achieve that. The work is fairly substantial, but we’re keeping customers fully up to date to ensure any disruption is kept to a minimum.
“The improvements are genuinely making a difference to the families living there, and that’s what’s really important. Everyone we’ve spoken to has been very happy the quality and speed of the work done. I’m looking forward to seeing even more homes transformed over the coming months.”
The refurbishments are being carried out in partnership with specialist contractors ENGIE.
ENGIE was awarded the £138m contract by County Durham Housing Group following a competitive bidding process based on value for money and quality. The company, formerly known as Keepmoat Regeneration, has a long and successful track record of working in the area and extensive experience of delivering major projects, while minimising disturbance to residents.