Hull West and Hessle MP Alan Johnson officially opened a development comprising 20 energy efficient bungalows.
Pickering and Ferens Homes redeveloped The Jacobs Homes scheme after amalgamating with Charles and Esther Jacobs Homes. The charity, which manages more than 1,250 properties across the region, hosted a celebratory afternoon tea on Friday, September 13th, to mark the completion of the project.
Key partners involved with developing the project – including construction company Hobson and Porter – were brought together with residents to celebrate the official opening, when Alan Johnson MP toured the properties, met residents there and unveiled a plaque that will remain for years to come.
Based in Askew Avenue, west Hull, the development comprises energy-efficient bungalows facing on to a central village green with private parking and enclosed front and rear gardens. The properties are fitted with high levels of thermal insulation to floors, walls and roofs. They also have triple glazed windows and water butts to collect rainwater in.
The development programme was started after Pickering and Ferens Homes amalgamated with Charles and Esther Jacobs Homes in September 2008. Renovating the properties was contemplated but a decision was taken to demolish and rebuild after discovering a number of buildings on the site were suffering from subsidence and all required extensive refurbishment throughout.
Tom Hogan, chair of Pickering and Ferens Homes, said: “I am delighted that all of the properties are occupied by residents now and they have all settled into their new homes really well. It is a real pleasure to welcome Alan Johnson MP to the scheme, giving him an opportunity to look round some of the properties and hear first hand from residents about the difference their new homes are making to their lives.
“The official opening of this development marks an important milestone for us, we have come a long way since first acquiring the original properties and our early aspirations to redevelop the site. I hope the residents living here will enjoy their new homes for many years.”
Alan Johnson MP said: “This is a terrific example of the kind of housing that is needed to ensure the over-60s have good accommodation in a community environment with access to support facilities.”
Councillor John Black, portfolio holder for council infrastructure with the responsibility for housing, said: “It’s great to see that working with key partners has achieved 20 energy efficient homes that provides valuable housing to the over 60s. I am delighted to be attending the official opening of the development and I hope residents will enjoy living in the properties for many years to come.”
Meanwhile Sylvia Taylor, 71, and husband Ron, 75, are delighted with their new home. “We think it’s wonderful here and really couldn’t be happier,” said Mrs Taylor. “We previously lived in a four bedroom house and my husband had to use a stair lift to get upstairs, it’s much easier now we are on one level and we have wider doors to fit the wheelchair through. We are hoping that the energy efficiency measures that have been put in place in the bungalows will have a positive impact on our bills over time as well and save us money. We are very happy here and our children and grandchildren are only a few minutes away.”