Residents celebrate seven years of improvement
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 16 March 2011
HAPPY birthday . . . (front, from the left) Bernie McConnell (head of housing services) with tenants Glyn Palmer, Fred Jones and Larry Dawson, celebrate a successful seven years with a cake
Fitton Hill now a place people ‘choose to live’
SEVEN years of action to improve Fitton Hill estate have been celebrated by residents and the housing association which took it over.
Villages Housing have managed the estate since 2004, gaining praise for turning it into a place where people choose to move to.
Vernon Jackson, chief executive of Villages Housing, said: “We made a set of promises to tenants when we took over and we are very proud to be able to say we have fulfilled every one of those promises.
“Our mission is to be more than just a landlord by working in partnership to create an environment for communities to flourish.
“We have worked very closely with partners and the tenants and residents of Fitton Hill to enable us to carry out the work that will provide them, not only with a decent home, but a vibrant and sustainable community.
“We have improved the perception of Fitton Hill to make the estate a place where people choose to live and work.”
Since 2004, staff have fitted 840 new kitchens, 832 new bathrooms and 872 new heating systems.
A £3.4 million environmental improvement programme has seen 220,000 bulbs planted throughout the estate.
Trees and shrubs have also been planted and 45 residents’ parking bays have been created.
Footpaths, fencing, gardens, gates, driveways and street signs have been given a new lease of life.
A residents’ survey carried out last year showed a 95 per cent satisfaction rate among tenants.
Resident Sheila Davis said: “Villages said they would improve the houses and the estate. They did — and to a good standard.
“They said they’d help schools with new reading systems, extracurricular activities and trips. They did — and are always helping.
“They said that their staff would be helpful and polite and they are. They are more than just a landlord.”
