TWO tower blocks are set to be demolished as part of schemes costing almost £15m to improve housing in Middlesbrough.
The schemes being put forward by Erimus Housing involve:
* Demolishing Glentworth House and Fulbeck House at Netherfields.
* Carrying out an extensive revamp of the neighbouring Welton House.
* Injecting £11m into a major regeneration of the Hemlington estate. It will see homes and the environment improved, the conversion of some properties to family homes, and selective demolition of the most unpopular homes.
Around £3.8m will be spent on major improvements to Welton House and demolishing Glentworth House and Fulbeck House.
Each of the 90 flats in Welton House will be fully refurbished. The work will include new kitchens, bathrooms and rewiring. Windows will be replaced with double glazed units. The communal areas and entrance will be modernised to 21st century standards. The block will also be made more energy efficient and attractive externally.
Work is planned to start in June next year. Residents will be moved out temporarily because of the extensive nature of the work.
Chris Smith, Erimus’s Director of Regeneration, said: “Modernising Welton House to a high standard will provide good quality accommodation that will hopefully be popular for years to come.�
In consultations which started last year residents in the three blocks were asked their views on the high-rise properties. Feedback showed the blocks were often being used for anti-social activities, that they were occupied by a high concentration of people with complex support needs and had a high turnover of residents.
Moves were made to make improvements for residents but further consultation revealed the problems were recurring.
The Erimus Housing Board decided to demolish Glentworth House and Fulbeck House. Residents affected by the demolition will be moved to a location of their choice, wherever possible. If they are eligible they will also receive a full home loss payment.
The massive regeneration scheme planned for Erimus homes in Hemlington will mean millions of pounds being spent modernising properties, boosting the environment and undertaking selective demolitions, as well as converting a number of properties to family homes, some of which will be offered for sale to local families. Consultations last year revealed there was an over supply of flats which was leading to problems with anti-social activities. Residents wanted to see urgent action taken.
Some parts of the estate have a poor layout and design leading to a lack of popularity in some areas of Hemlington. Erimus decided on a mix of conversions, modernisations and selective demolitions.
Modernisation to existing homes has already started and consultation will soon be taking place to determine the most effective way to make improvements to the flats.
A pilot scheme is being carried out to convert four flats to three and four-bedroom family houses. If it is a success, 112 flats will eventually be turned into 56 homes for rent and sale. Individual discussions will take place with residents who will be affected by the conversions or demolitions.
Chris Smith said: “We want to sell some of these houses to local families who would probably not be able to afford a property off the open market.
“We also want to keep some of these for rent and refurbish some flats to sell to first time buyers who may not otherwise be able to afford a home of their own. Part of the proposal also involves the demolition of 48 properties.�
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were did the money come from the lack of improvements in the old council houses,now owned by erimus
With regards to your article in the Evening Gazette on Wednesday 29th August "Towers to fall in £15m scheme". As a resident of Netherfields estate I would like to express my delight in this long awaited news. However I feel that i must comment on the poor reporting of this story in particular regarding the interviewees spoken to by Sandy McKenzie (reporter). The people interviewed for this report were a local shop keeper, his son and the shop assistant, none of which live in the local area and do not have first hand experience of the antisocial behaviour and vandalism endured by the residents of Glentworth Avenue and other roads etc in the vicinity of these "blots on the landscape". The views reported by the interviewees do not represent the true feelings of the people that live on the estate but rather those of a business which is likely to be effected by loss of trade when people begin to move from the area. I suggest that a further article is written to properly explore the true impact and increase not only on the quality of life of the local residents but the increased housing prices of the area.
Shaun Philips
Netherfields
Middlesbrough
Glentworth and Fulbeck Residents receive full home loss payments of £4,000+ Welton Residents receive only a disruption allowance which allows for carpets and curtains etc. plus Welton Residents that want to return back to Welton are now being told they will have to move to Fulbeck whilst repairs are carried out up to 18 months. Why do Welton Residents receive less money when they have to move twice and to a place they don't want to be (Fulbeck)?.