£4.4m makeover for former miners' homes in Warwickshire

[dutchman]

Two rows of terraced houses, occupied 100 years ago by miners’ families in Warwickshire, have been given a £4.4million “green” makeover.


North Warwickshire Mayor Dave Butcher cuts the ribbon to mark the completion of a £4.4m makeover project

The 33 homes, at Hill Top, overlooking the village of Arley, now make up North Warwickshire’s first “eco-street” following a total facelift incorporating a host of energy-saving features.

The improvements include new windows, doors, kitchens, bathrooms and better insulation.

Other installations include ground source heat pumps, underfloor heating, solar thermal panels and individual energy monitors.

The outside area has also been transformed with off-street parking and enclosed gardens with fruit trees and an allotment patch.

The street was formerly owned by the National Coal Board and has been given its new lease of life by Waterloo Housing Association, in partnership with North Warwickshire Borough Council and the Homes and Communities Agency.

The project was completed earlier this year with the homes being let to local people. It has now been officially unveiled by North Warwickshire mayor Coun Dave Butcher.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony was attended by residents and guests from various organisations who offered energy-saving, recycling and gardening advice, plus community information.

There were also tips on how to eat more healthily from a cook-and-taste session using home-grown produce.

Coun John Winter, borough council cabinet member for housing, said: “We are very proud of what has been achieved at Hill Top. The partnership work has really reaped rewards for the tenants who live on this estate.

“We were very keen from the outset that the properties were energy efficient.

“The ground source heat pumps are a great success and we will be looking to take what we have learned here to other developments. Projects such as these don’t happen overnight but the end result is a place where tenants can be pleased to call home.”

Funding of £2.2m was provided by the Homes and Communities Agency and Baggi Matu, investment and regeneration manager for HCA Midlands, said: “We are really pleased that our investment has enabled Waterloo and North Warwickshire Borough Council to transform these homes for the local community.”

One of the new tenants is Michele Simpson, who has moved to Hill Top with her fiancé Alex and their young son Ethan after a period spent living with family. She said: “We love our new home, and especially the underfloor heating, which makes it so cosy.”