Tenants, residents, Councillors and Council staff at West
Lancashire District Council recently celebrated the completion of
the four-year £8million Firbeck Revival project to revive an entire
estate.
The Council-owned properties have had new kitchens and bathrooms
installed and a programme of external works transformed the
appearance of the estate with external wall insulation and render,
double-glazed windows, new doors and roofs and loft
insulation.
Brick bin stores at the front of the houses were removed and new
canopies fitted over the front doors. Fencing has also been
replaced on many homes to complete the transformation and ensure
security.
All private home owners on Firbeck took up a Council grant
(which is repayable when properties are sold) to have some or all
of the external improvements carried out to their homes.
The final stage was to complete the works on 42 new homes built
on the estate and designed to meet the needs of modern families.
All of these properties are now occupied and tenants are enjoying
life in their new homes.
Ann Williams, who has moved into one of the new flats with her
son David, said: "The new flat is great, lots of room and very
warm. It's really nice to have a new kitchen and bathroom, with a
walk-in shower."
Paul Roughley, another tenant in the new apartments, said:
"The flats are very comfortable and feel even more roomy than I
thought they would. The Council and the builders have done a great
job on them."
The Firbeck Revival forms part of the wider Skelmersdale Town
Centre Regeneration Project. The new homes are just the second set
of new Council homes built in West Lancashire in the last 20 years.
They consist of 14 one-bedroom and 12-two bedroom apartments, and
12 two-bedroom and four three-bedroom houses.
Some new apartments have been built to look like semi-detached
houses. All 42 homes are attractive, energy efficient properties
which have gas central heating. Each flat has its own parking space
and allocated garden area.
Councillor Jenny Patterson, portfolio holder for Housing and
Inclusion, said: "The new properties look fantastic and are
homes that meet the needs of modern families, while the
improvements to the older homes will benefit tenants for many years
to come. I want to thank all the Council staff and our contractors
who have helped make the project such a success, and all the
tenants and homeowners who have worked with us.
"The Council is ambitious for the environment and the
Firbeck Revival project helps achieve this as it enhances the local
physical environment. The scheme shows what can be achieved when we
all work together."
Keepmoat is the principal contractor building the houses and
flats to the Council's specifications. Their services were acquired
through the Procure Plus framework. Arcus are provided
architectural and employer's agent services for the project.
Frank Mondino, Keepmoat Area Director for the North West, said:
"Keepmoat are delighted to have contributed to the wider
Firbeck revival programme by delivering these fantastic new homes
the project was a true collaborative effort between the Council,
Keepmoat and the local community; it has completely revitalised the
area whilst supporting local jobs and training opportunities
for the young people of the area during the construction
process.
"It's great to see happy tenants now occupying their
fabulous new homes, and we wish to thank the Council for an
extremely successful partnership."
To find out more about West Lancashire Borough Council please
contact 01695 585011 or visit: www.westlancs.gov.uk/housing.