MP visit to Helena’s newest developments

Helena Partnerships' suite of new build and refurbished housing schemes received a special visit from local MP Dave Watts.

Mr Watts was given a tour of Helena's new housing developments in Newton and Rainford with the first stop being the new Victoria House sheltered accommodation scheme. In its later years, the former scheme had become unpopular and was no longer considered to be fit for purpose. The building was demolished and in its place 18 new 2 bedroom apartments are currently being built which are due to be completed in March 2010 and made available on a rental or shared ownership basis to people over 55.

Also on the tour itinerary was Heald Farm Court in Newton - a brand new extra care scheme for older people which promotes independent living with the added assurance that 24 hour specialist care and support is on hand if needed. The partnership between Helena Living and MHA offers 86, two-bedroom apartments for rent, shared ownership or outright purchase.

Whilst in Newton, the group also visited a new development of eco-homes on the Fairbrothers estate where Mr Watts and Chief Executive of Helena Partnerships, Rob Young, called in on new resident Lisa Leyland, who showed them around her home and filled them in on the features. The mixed tenure development features twelve new homes built to a high specification and complete with specialist eco-friendly fixtures and fittings including solar panels, water butts, recycling bins and low pressure taps.

The final leg of the tour was a visit to the BISF homes at Bassenthwaite Avenue in Moss Bank that are currently undergoing a major, multi-million pound refurbishment programme to bring them up to modern standards. Over 100 pre-fabricated houses, built shortly after the Second World War, will receive new roofing, windows, doors, insulation and security improvements in addition to new environmental features such as renewable energy systems and water saving measures.

Rob Young said of Dave Watts' visit: "It is great to see our local MP supporting our ambitious plans and taking an interest in the work that we are doing to provide new homes and modernise existing ones to such a high standard.

"Despite the recession we are bucking the trend in that we are able to finance such developments with the assistance of government funding and that they are receiving a great deal of interest from potential buyers and tenants."

23 December 2009

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