Housing regeneration specialist Lovell has been appointed by Kettering Borough Council to remodel and refurbish an outdated 1920s block of flats, creating 16 modern one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Pictured above, marking the start of work at Hampden Crescent, are councillors Anne Lee, Russell Roberts and James Burton.
The £1.2m, seven-month programme of internal and external improvements for the building — one of two three-storey blocks which make up Hampden Crescent, Kettering — will provide smart, warmer and more energy-efficient homes for council tenants. It is taking place through the council’s Homes for the Future programme to improve its older housing stock.
Built in 1927, the Hampden Crescent blocks are among the oldest homes owned by the council and have proved unattractive to tenants because of their age and condition. In recent times, the block being refurbished has been used on a short-term basis to provide accommodation for homeless households.
An extensive redevelopment programme is now under way at the block which previously comprised 11 three-bedroom flats. It will include the installation of new bathrooms and kitchens; external wall and loft insulation; rewiring; new plumbing; replacement windows; new partition walls and new internal staircases. The improvements will also include the installation of a communal energy-saving air source heat pump heating system. The Lovell team will build a new plant room and improve balconies and parking facilities, as well as carry out plastering and redecoration work.
Councillor James Burton, the Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “This excellent scheme demonstrates Kettering Borough Council’s commitment to providing decent affordable housing for its tenants. Hampden Crescent is in urgent need of redevelopment and the flats we’re creating will help to meet the need for smaller properties and wheelchair accommodation.”
“This scheme will dramatically transform this outdated accommodation, creating energy-efficient homes which are warmer, cheaper to run and provide residents with a fully refurbished, well-designed modern living space,” says Lovell regional director Stuart Penn. “Our team draws on a wide range of experience in successful large-scale home refurbishment programmes and we are excited to be bringing this expertise to the company’s first contract for Kettering Borough Council.”
Working with consideration for the local community is a priority in all Lovell’s projects. The company’s specialist resident liaison team will be the main point of communication throughout the refurbishment work and especially when residents begin moving into the completed homes. The Lovell team will also ensure the least possible disruption to the hair salon and newsagents based on the ground floor of the block which will remain open during the work.
