West Harton homes given £3.6 million makeover

A £3.6 million improvement programme to upgrade more than 100 non-traditional homes on a South Shields estate has been completed.

A total of 111 homes in West Harton have been improved internally and externally, as part of South Tyneside Homes’ non-traditional homes programme, which includes Decent Homes work and external insulation upgrades.

Tenants living on the estate were among the first to benefit from the programme, which started in October last year.

The work carried out by Frank Haslam Milan (FHM) North East included the installation of replacement kitchens and bathrooms, as well as a full electrical rewire. The homes have also been made more energy efficient, through the installation of new heating
systems, double glazing and external insulation upgrades.

The work was brought forward by two years, after South Tyneside Homes received additional external funding from Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE). The funding, provided through the Community Energy Savings Programme (CESP), was used to help with the installation of energy savings measures to homes in fuel poverty status.

Mark Whittle, director of investment for South Tyneside Homes, said: “The completion of improvement works in West Harton marks a milestone achievement for South Tyneside Homes, as it is the first estate to benefit from the programme.

“It is fantastic to see how the estate has been transformed now the work is complete. We are committed to delivering improvements that make a real difference to the lives of council tenants and the programme on West Harton certainly demonstrates this commitment.”