The transformation of an entire row of derelict terraced houses in the Lancashire town of Nelson has been unveiled. 

The renovation of the terraced homes in Every Street – part of an innovative scheme by Adactus Housing Group which sees the radical re-design of the traditional terrace home – marks the beginning of a transformation for the Whitefield ‘Phase 1’ area in Nelson, Lancashire.

Working in partnership with Pendle Council and English Partnerships, Adactus has used its successful ‘Tardis Terrace’ idea of turning redundant terraced houses into new homes. 

Adactus has converted seven derelict properties in Every Street, Nelson, into two four-bedroom family homes – the first of their kind - and three one-bedroom homes. 

The project is the first housing scheme to be completed as part of the Housing Market Renewal work taking place in the Phase 1 area. 

The properties are available for outright sale, with priority given to local Whitefield residents who are at the centre of the Housing Market Renewal scheme.

The scheme is already proving a success; the two larger properties have been sold to two families living in the Phase 1 area, and there have been more than 60 enquiries to date.

Adactus has dubbed its refurbished properties ‘the Tardis Terrace,’ as they boast remarkable space and light within the standard terrace exterior.  

The re-design literally turns terraced houses back-to-front - and in doing so creates a cool, contemporary ‘Tardis’ which ‘opens up the box’ of the dark, cramped traditional terrace.

“The traditional solution to the problem of developing terraced houses was to demolish them and build new family homes on the site,” said Paul Lees, Group Chief Executive of Adactus Housing Group.

“While demolition works in some cases, refurbishment can be a more sustainable and cost-effective solution in others.  We have realised the potential of remodelling the terraced house to meet the needs of a new target market that is looking for a modern, spacious, urban home. 

“We understand the importance of enhancing light and making better use of the space to get rid of the slightly cramped, dark feel, to appeal to a new market.”

Brian Cookson, Executive Director (Regeneration) at Pendle Borough Council, said: “It’s an exciting modern interpretation of the terraced house. It offers new life for old housing, respecting the heritage of the area. The terrace has been brought into the 21st century and offers the chance of a more modern approach to living in Nelson.”

Lord Shutt of Greetland, Chairman of the Whitefield Regeneration Partnership, said: “This shows what can be done with these terraced properties. It gives a taster for the sort of things that can happen in Whitefield as a whole.””

Lesley Chisnell-Helm, Secretary of the local residents’ group ‘Whitefield Community Forum’ welcomed the new look properties, saying: “It’s amazing. It shows what can happen to these houses when they’re sensitively re-vamped. Thinking outside the box has produced the best of both worlds  - the aspirational interior with the traditional exterior….this will expand people’s horizons.”

Whitefield, with its special mix of housing, industrial and community buildings, was the subject of two CPO public inquiries and – uniquely for an HMR area – an “Enquiry By Design” exercise facilitated by The Prince’s Foundation.

In April 2006 the ‘Phase 1’ area was the subject of a major design/developer competition, won by architectural practice Maccreanor Lavington and Manchester developer R.Gen.

A planning application is to be submitted shortly which will see the refurbishment of around 150 properties, development of new apartments and houses and major new public open space.