Residents living in one of Haringey’s most picturesque neighbourhoods are set for new bathrooms, kitchens and other improvements as the first phase of Homes for Haringey’s £6.5million investment programme gets underway.
Council tenants on the Noel Park estate – which is protected under planning rules because of its unique architecture – will see the benefits under a dedicated plan to bring long-term upgrades during the next few years.
Every home received a visit from surveyors last year to get residents’ views on how to improve properties – which have complex issues and are expensive to maintain – in the long-term rather than using short-term fixes.
Local resident Rita McNally is the first resident to benefit from improvements. Rita’s home has been selected as a pilot property, allowing Homes for Haringey staff to set the quality of workmanship throughout the project and identify any issues that may emerge later.
With works in her home well underway, Rita was visited by the Lead Member for Regeneration and Housing, Alan Strickland, and Andrew Billany, Managing Director for Homes for Haringey, who came to see progress for themselves.
Following the visit, Alan Strickland commented:
“Every family in Haringey has the right to a modern, high-quality home regardless of whether they’re a council tenant or a homeowner, and I’m delighted to see residents in Noel Park getting these real improvements.
“Speaking to Rita, it was clear what a big difference this will make to her daily life, and we’re committed to continuing to invest in council homes to bring residents the quality they deserve.”
Andrew Billany added:
“Homes for Haringey has a long history of delivering the Decent Homes programme since 2008 and it’s fantastic to see the programme coming to Noel Park. Lots of work has gone on behind the scenes to get this project funded and ready to start on site. We look forward to working with residents to bring about much needed and high quality improvements through this programme.’
Rita Mcnally said:
“I first moved to Noel Park 46 years ago. It’s a fantastic place to live, close to the shops and with wide streets and plenty of trees. I’m so pleased with the work so far. The workmen have been professional and courteous and I’ve been kept informed throughout.”
Properties in phase one of the programme will be completed by April 2016 and are part funded by the Greater London Authority (GLA). In July the Council’s Cabinet approved a further £5million of funding for phase two of the programme which is due to start in the summer of 2016.
The Noel Park estate is made up from over 1600 homes, around 900 of which are Council owned. The estate was built in the late 19th century by the Artisans, Labourers and General Dwellings Company and is protected through conservation and Article 4 status, under the Town and Country Planning Acts.