East Terrace celebrates its reopening » Housing » 24dash.com

Residents of East Terrace, Knutsford celebrated in style recently as they marked the official reopening of the scheme after a £851,000 refurbishment. The development, which is owned by Contour Homes one of the regions largest housing associations and managed by Cheshire County Council Community Services, provides contemporary homes for 25 people with learning difficulties.

In his opening speech, Phil Lloyd, Cheshire County Councils Community Manager for Adult Services said: Decent housing is the bedrock for helping people achieve what they want in their lives and these are terrific homes which everyone can be proud of.

East Terrace, located on Westfield Drive in Knutsford, was part of the Independent Living Initiative driven by Contour Homes and Cheshire County Council Community Services. Tenants who live at East Terrace receive individual domiciliary support 24 hours a day provided by Cheshire County Councils Community Service department. The aim is to help people live as independently as possible in their own homes so that they have fulfilled lives and achieve positive outcomes.

Judith Winterbourne, Managing Director for Contour Homes thanked everyone involved in what was a very challenging refurbishment. Its clear from meeting residents today that they are extremely proud of their lovely new homes. Contour Homes is delighted to have been able to provide these much needed facilities which will give residents so much more independence.

Over the course of a year, the building has undergone a complete refurbishment. A central corridor was removed to create five separate houses each with four or five bedrooms, a kitchen, living/dining area, patio and bathroom. East Terrace has also seen the installation of an energy efficient central heating boiler, new fire alarm system and upgraded loft insulation. The newly formed living rooms are well lit from roof-lights and each open out onto a small patio space.

The work was particularly challenging because East Terrace was built on different levels, but the architects and builders have completely transformed the building creating bright, modern and comfortable houses.

Councillor Ken Oliver, Cheshire County Council Vice Chairman, was one of the guests invited to have a look around the new look scheme. He said: I have been overwhelmed by the stunning choice of homes which have provided so much individual choice for these residents. It is a credit to them and to Contour Homes.

The completion of East Terrace marks the culmination of multi-million pound work carried out between Contour Homes and the council in East Cheshire. The two organisations have worked on three other schemes - Warwick Mews, Heather Brae and Henbury Road. All schemes have provided accommodation for vulnerable people and have been totally modernised and updated to bring the properties up to standard.