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RESIDENTS of Cambridge Way in Haverhill can look forward to a cosy winter after the final stage of refurbishment work has been completed, nine weeks ahead of schedule.
The final 57 pre-fabricated Calder homes were part of a programme started in the spring of roofing works, rendering, cladding, installing patio doors and double glazed windows and doors.
Over the past four years a £1.2 million refurbishment scheme has taken place on the estate to upgrade the 98 homes, which were put up on a temporary basis more than 40 years ago.
Borough councillor Phillip French lives on the estate and had work completed to his own home earlier this year. He reported that his fuel bills had been halved by the work done and expects other tenants to find the same.
“I have not heard one single complaint about the work that has been done, everyone seems really pleased with the finished job,” he said.
“People are usually fairly quick to complain if they don’t like something and I have not heard one single adverse comment.
“The houses look 100 per cent better and I have noticed some of the owner occupiers have made efforts to make their properties fit in, which is gratifying. One man has actually had all the cladding done himself.
“People will really notice the difference in the winter. I used to sit in my lounge and the curtains moved where there were gaps in the window frames. It did get really cold,” Mr French said.
Another £10,000 has been set aside by St Edmundsbury Borough Council to look at what can be done to improve the inside of the homes next.
Jennifer Hart, chairman of the Borough Housing Committee, said she was delighted the work was finished so well ahead of schedule.
“This programme is just one part of our commitment to better housing in Haverhill” she said.
(Picture caption: Pleased... Coun Phillip French outside the refurbished homes in Cambridge Way, Haverhill.)