High rise flats in £80m refit

Nov 13 2006 By Steve Johnson, Birmingham Mail

SIGNIFICANT new investment in Sandwell Council's high-rise blocks has swung into action at Astbury and Lawrence Courts, Oldbury.

The £80 million external high-rise programme involves improvements to 44 high-rise blocks in Sandwell that need various levels of refurbishment to be carried out over the next five years.

The high-rise programme is being delivered by a partnership involving Sandwell Homes, Sandwell MBC's urban design team, Bucknall Austin design consultants and construction partners Lovell, Connaught Partner-ships Ltd and Thomas Vale Construction.

The development of the partnership has aimed to actively involve tenants and leaseholders throughout so that their views are reflected throughout the process.

Depending on their structural condition and improvement requirements, work that may be carried out includes: roof improvements; window replacements; new enlarged bin chutes, new doors; lift refurbishment; external cladding; balcony improvements; environ-mental improvements; fire and safety improvements; communal redecoration; digital aerial systems and new entry systems.

Before any works commences detailed surveys and investigations take place to determine what improvements are needed.

John Clayton, investment director for Sandwell Homes said: "This is a significant project which will improve our properties and more importantly improve the quality of life for our tenants."

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