Falkirk Council were close to starting a £2.4 million modernisation scheme for its Belmont Tower high-rise block at Callendar Park. Contractors Lovell will install a new rain screen over-cladding system, incorporating high-specification insulation, at the 1960s 15-storey block of flats.
The programme also includes a new pitched roof and repairs to the building's facade. The project will also see the enclosure of the ground-floor level of the building to create two new special needs flats and other facilities, including a community room and a new laundry/utility area.
Residents will continue to live in their homes during the refurbishment work, which will take about 12 months.
Selby District Council embarked on a £4 million, three-year contract to install new kitchens and bathrooms to bring its properties to the Decent Homes standard. Planned works also include re-roofing, rewiring and installing new central heating systems.
The first phase will include refurbishment works to 320 homes in Tadcaster and 211 village homes in the Selby area between November 2007 and May 2008.
Economist Kate Barker visited the Weston Heights regeneration project at Weston Coyney, Stoke-on-Trent, where the Compendium Group is building 283 new homes and refurbishing other existing houses at the former National Coal Board estate.
The Compendium Group is a special purpose development company set up by Lovell and Riverside Group to carry out all aspects of major residential-led regeneration and place-making projects
The Weston Heights scheme is a £55 million regeneration programme, creating homes for sale, shared ownership and rent, both for new and existing residents. The scheme is the first to be commissioned by Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder RENEW North Staffordshire.
During her visit, Kate Barker met the first residents to move into new homes being built as part of the major regeneration programme. She also made presentations to local construction trainees recruited to work on the scheme.
London & Quadrant HA (L&Q) celebrated the launch of a major new development on the Greenwich Peninsula - part of the Thames Gateway regeneration.
As a key partner in the Greenwich Peninsula development, L&Q will be responsible for 1,500 of the 10,000 homes built - providing a mix of rented and shared ownership schemes.
Rather than simply building homes, a new community is being created on the Peninsula that will include a school, a college, offices, cafes, shops and restaurants - strengthening L&Q's pledge to always be a part of creating places where people want to live.
L&Q were joined by Housing Minister Yvette Cooper to celebrate work beginning on the first residential plot to be developed on the Greenwich Peninsula. It will provide 169 new homes, of which L&Q will have 46 for rent and 14 for shared ownership. The rest will be for sale on the open market.