St Ann’s Improvements get under way

Nottingham City Homes is about to begin two major refurbishment schemes in St Ann’s under the Decent Homes programme by installing new double glazed doors in Bellevue Court flats, and new windows in other areas of the estate including Warton Avenue in Mapperley. The contract for the works has been awarded to Nationwide, who will be visiting residents over the next 21 days taking measurements.

In addition, Nottingham City Council will be funding environmental improvements to 61 residences on the Stonebridge Park Estate from the Housing Revenue Account, with Nottingham City Homes coordinating the works that begin in May.

Construction firm WATES will be erecting new fences & iron railings around properties, and building off-road parking areas in Lytton Close & Eastham Close. These environmental improvements will also take place in Dennet Close, Magson Close, Wray Close and Stonebridge Road. Nationwide will be installing new double glazed doors to these properties were required.

The residents of the front row of houses in Flewitt Gardens will begin consultations with project manager Sharon Brookes in the near future.

The external wall cladding of these properties has been a contentious issue since August 2011, as tenants of Nottingham City Homes will have the work done free of charge, while home owners have to pay up to £12,000.

A representative for Nottingham City Council said today

“I am aware of the delay re. Flewitt Gardens consultation – this is because the situation here in terms of the potential for available funding is moving extremely fast and will affect all residents so although we are aware that we need to speak to these residents we can’t do so until the position on any potential funding has been finalised. This is extremely complex and is regrettably leading to unavoidable delay while we establish the best deal for residents and the Council.”

I understand that Nottingham Energy Partnership is presently in discussions with Nottingham City Council with the view to cover the cost for homeowners so they too can have the cladding free.  Money from the Community Energy Saving Programme CESP & the Carbon Emissions Reduction Target (CERT) schemes from energy companies would be used to fund the wall cladding.