£2m revamp for city homes

Apr 30 2008 Edward Chadwick

OUTDATED council homes in Birmingham will be given a new lease of life under £2 million plans to bring housing into the 21st century.

Dozens of Sheldon's crumbling "flat pack" homes – which were seen as the solution to the 1950s housing shortage – have been earmarked for strengthening, insulation and double glazing.

The transformation of 57 city-owned houses in Wychwood Crescent and Wensley Road will take place over the next two years, and families can expect much lower heating bills.

The council's housing boss, Coun John Lines, said: "We are committed to improving the council’s housing stock and meeting the Government's Decent Homes Standard by 2010.

"The reinstatement of the houses at Wychwood Crescent will safeguard he future of these homes for another 20 years at least and provide a good standard of accommodation for the occupiers."

The houses were built using the Smith method of construction, which involved using prefabricated walls and brick cladding.

Houses built using the method were deemed defective in 1985, and 130 properties in Birmingham have so far been improved.

The council will also be fitting new front and back doors and installing plastic gutters and drainpipes.

Residents will be able to stay in their homes while the work is carried out.

Coun Lines said: "I am pleased we have been able to extend the future of these properties to meet the housing needs of residents and keep the community together."