More than 150 homes in Princes Risborough, Stokenchurch, Wooburn Green, and Lane End are set for huge renovation, as we start work to improve the post-war-constructed Wimpey No-fines houses and bring them right into the 21st Century.
Work will include new wall insulation, double-glazed windows, doors, guttering, fascias, and rainwater pipes. Tenants will be able to choose from a whole range of colours, finishings, fixtures and fittings, giving them the opportunity to design their homes in the way they would like. They will also be able to choose to have french doors in place of windows.
With many benefits to the work, one of the most life-changing for our tenants is warmer homes in the winter months and being able to save up to £270 per year on energy bills.
One of our tenants who has already had work completed as part of the pilot said:
"Brilliant – my gas bill has gone from £20 per week to just £10 per month, for which I am extremely grateful. The workers have been excellent – always there when needed and very polite. Thank you once again!"
After completing a small pilot scheme in Southfield Road to test whether the materials and techniques would deliver the high standard we expected, surveys and visits are now being carried out to the remaining homes, so that we can work up a full plan and go through individual choices with our tenants.
The range of products and finishes for all elements of the work has been chosen entirely by a panel of tenants who have been helping to make decisions throughout the project so far. Their involvement has already led to really high satisfaction with tenants living in the pilot homes.
As part of our commitment to improve local communities, we will also be offering the same range of improvements to private owners of Wimpey No-fines homes in all areas. Those who choose to be part of the project will benefit from the cost savings we have achieved in partnership with our contractor Keepmoat.
Trevor Morrow, our Chief Executive, said:
"Improving these homes will really make a difference to our tenants – not just because they will look and feel so much better, but there is so much to be saved on heating bills too. This kind of investment was part of our promise when we became Red Kite, so it’s brilliant to be able to say that the work will be finished well before 2016 when we originally said it would be. I hope our tenants are very happy with the work and would like to thank their ongoing involvement in making important choices and decisions about their homes."