Show Home Opens In Meir
29 July 2009
The first former council-owned home to be completely refurbished as part of a regeneration scheme to bring affordable homes to Meir will be on show to the public from Friday (July 31).
The ‘show home’ at No 3 Woodville Road is one of four properties that form the new Woodlands development – a project designed to create a new ‘gateway’ into the Meir neighbourhood that will link the area to other developments in the area.
The redevelopment of Woodville Road is part of the first phase of RENEW North Staffordshire’s comprehensive regeneration programme in Meir. RENEW is working in partnership with Great Places Housing Group to transform the estate.
The regeneration programme aims to provide a range of housing types that respond to the needs of local people, as well as improvements to the road layout to give residents better facilities.
Great Places Housing Group has refurbished and upgraded the four semi-detached houses into family homes - featuring remodelled interiors and three bedrooms instead of the previous two. They are available to buy, via a 50% share scheme, through Great Places’ sales division, Plumlife.
Councillor Brian Ward, Deputy Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, said: “These homes are a bold symbol of regeneration in the Meir neighbourhood.
“The project is the result of extensive consultation with local people – the refurbishment was driven by local people’s ideas about what they wanted to see in their neighbourhood. It follows an innovative alley gating initiative to create new, private spaces for neighbours to share, and the development of a new community hub, The Square, which was opened just recently and has already proved a huge asset for residents.”
Matthew Harrison, deputy chief executive and director of development for Great Places Housing Group, said: “We’re really proud of these transformed homes. They are something new and different for Meir, and a sure sign that things are changing in the area. They will offer more choice of great quality places to live.”
The 1930s properties, which have new, high-level insulation, now have fresh, contemporary interiors including good-quality kitchens and bathrooms and crisp new render and boarding to their exteriors.
The long-term plan for Meir is create better housing and amenities, more choice of places to live for rent and to buy both for current and future residents, and brilliant open spaces that families will love to spend time in.
Phase 1 of the regeneration programme also includes a development of 46 affordable new homes on Lyme Road, including 10 for sale via shared ownership. For more information, go to www.plumlife.co.uk
