01 October 2008
Portsmouth Town Court's makeover team: (pictured back): Dennis Adams, Building Surveyor, of contractor's Osborne; Holly Minnett, Brodie Plant Goddard; Robert Jack, Osborne;
President, Trevor Cooper; Nick Rendle, Project Officer from Southern Housing Group with resident Brenda Commander; (standing) Fiona Holms, business developer, Osborne. (9.08)
Portsmouth Town Court is getting a million-pound makeover. With 49 residential units within its two residential blocks (one specifically designed for elderly residents) being renovated.
A snapshot of the brand-new fixtures and fittings being installed into Portsmouth Town Court include:
42 brand-new Howden's modular kitchens
49 new bathrooms incorporating hand basins, toilets and bath or shower replacements. All units are having home improvements including electrical wiring, replacement radiators and new windows.
Caroline Tiller, Executive Director of James Butcher Housing Association, says that the refurbishment improves the quality of our residents' lives.
"It is our priority that our residents live in comfortable and modern homes both during the refurbishment and after the completion of the renovation works."
"We have been working closely with the residents for nearly a year to bring this project to fruition. Discussions were held with each resident and an assessment was made on each of their properties to ascertain what their priorities are and benchmark the renovations against industry-quality standards. We appointed a specialist occupational therapist to investigate and ensure that our residents needs are met. The refurbishment will definitely reduce the costs of running their homes and the proposed new lifts will make their lives easier," said Caroline.
The refurbishment also extends to improving the energy efficiency and the functionality of Portsmouth Town Court. The building will be better insulated and the existing windows are being replaced by new aluminium double-glazed versions. In the main building three highly-efficient gas condensing boilers will be installed to serve all the flats and communal areas. These improvements will help residents to minimise their heating costs and help to alleviate the pressures of fuel poverty.
Later in the year a significant additional investment will be made into the construction of two brand-new lift shafts and the installation of two lifts. In preparation for next year's digital TV switchover new digital-capacity aerials will be installed to enable residents to access digital TV channels and programmes in other languages. Fire alarms and fire prevention facilities are also being upgraded.
The estimated cost of the refurbishment works will exceed £1.1 million and earlier this year Southern Housing Group appointed Osborne as its contractor. Portsmouth City Council has also agreed to provide some extra funding to meet the additional costs generated as a result of the specialist bathroom modifications.
Mrs Cooper who has lived in Portsmouth Town Court for more than five years said the refurbishment of her home began last month and it is progressing well.
"My flat has had a new kitchen which is really good with plenty of cupboards making life a lot easier. We are about to have new radiators and windows installed and our bathroom updated," she said. -ends-
For more information please contact Karen Bermingham Communications Team on 020 7553 6479 communications@shgroup.org.uk
Notes for Editors
Portsmouth Town Court comprises a total of 62 units with 53 units in the main building and 9 units a separate annexe. The 9 units are rented to tenants with general needs.
James Butcher Housing Association Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Southern Housing Group Ltd and provides a full range of housing services specialising in the provision of sheltered accommodation. JBHA owns and manages over 4,200 homes along the M4 corridor. James Butcher Housing Association Ltd is a charitable and Industrial Provident Society No. 16602.
Osborne is one of the UK's leading family-owned construction, civil engineering and property-services companies, with expertise in delivering projects for our clients in affordable housing, civic buildings and amenities, commercial property, education, healthcare and transport (including airports, highways and rail). Founded in 1966 by civil engineer Geoffrey Osborne, it employs over 1,000 people, has nine offices in the southern half of the UK and an annual turnover of £300 million.