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Weston residents move into 100th 'PRC' home to be rebuilt by Somer and Lovell
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| Wednesday 8th December 2010 |
Reporters and photographers are invited to attend a photo call at 3:30pm on Friday 17 December at 35 Holcombe Green, Weston, Bath.
Chairman of B&NES Council, Cllr Sarah Bevan, will cut the ribbon on the 100th completed PRC home, joined by: Trust Chairman, John Bader; Annie Cornish who is moving into the 100th home; Nick Kurobasa, Lovell Regional Director; and Julie Evans, the Trust's Director of Customer Services.
Bath-based social landlord Somer Community Housing Trust and housing regeneration specialist Lovell are holding a seasonal get together for residents at Holcombe Green in Weston, Bath, to celebrate the completion of the 100th new home built to replace defective pre-cast reinforced concrete (PRC) properties.
The 100th new home is one of 22 newly-completed Holcombe Green homes being declared open at the celebration. It is now the home of Annie Cornish and her family. Mrs Cornish, a Health Care Assistant at the Royal United Hospital, previously lived in one of the old PRC properties at Holcombe Green and has been living in nearby Brookfield Park while the houses were rebuilt. Annie Cornish said:
"I'm over the moon about moving back. The people at Somer and Lovell have been so helpful and have really involved me all the way along. Because it's a new house it's been great to be able to have a say in things like the kitchen and what colour the walls are. And with a winter like this, it's also reassuring to know it's going to be so much warmer than the old PRC houses were."
Angela Gascoigne, Somer Community Housing Trust's Managing Director, said:
"The new homes at Holcombe Green are part of a major programme delivering on our promise to rebuild or renovate every PRC home owned by the Trust. I wish the Cornishes and all our other new residents at Holcombe Green well in their new homes. I would also like to thank everyone in the local community for their cooperation and patience throughout this major construction project."
By replacing or renovating its old PRC properties, the Trust is giving residents back safe and secure homes that are warmer, more energy-efficient and cheaper to run. As with all the rebuilt PRC homes, the Cornish's new home meets the latest standards for energy efficiency, warmth and build quality.
Construction work on this major rebuilding programme is being undertaken by affordable housing and regeneration specialist Lovell.
"Our team is proud to be using their expertise to deliver the Trust's major PRC replacement programme and create high-quality, modern homes for residents," says Lovell regional director Nick Kurobasa. "We have had tremendous support from the Trust, residents and the local community throughout and this is greatly appreciated. To have reached this milestone is fantastic and we are delighted that Mrs Cornish is so pleased. We would like to wish her and her family, as well as all the residents moving into the new properties at Holcombe Green, every happiness in their new homes."
The Trust is working closely with residents at every stage of the programme. Residents of demolished homes are found suitable alternative accommodation and given the option to move back into their rebuilt home. Residents like Annie Cornish who decided to move back have had the opportunity to choose many aspects of their new replacement homes, such as the colours, carpets and kitchen styles. Not everyone chooses to move back: some residents are happy to stay where they are. Remaining homes are offered to households on B&NES Council's Homesearch waiting list.
A total of 44 homes are being built at Holcombe Green with the final properties due to be completed in early spring next year. Meanwhile, demolition work is starting at Southlands, also in Weston, on the last of the Trust's PRC homes to be demolished, the existing properties will be replaced with 74 new homes. |
| Posted by 0 for Somer Community Housing Trust |
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