A newly redeveloped housing scheme in the centre of Ponteland, Northumberland, has welcomed its first residents, after a four-year regeneration project to bring it up to modern standards.
Athol House on Callerton Lane in the village, which originally consisted of 16 small, bedsit-style flats, has been transformed into a modern, energy efficient scheme with 34 apartments, available for affordable rent.
The scheme, delivered by Karbon Homes and part funded by Homes England, is helping to meet the growing demand for affordable housing options for over 55s in Northumberland.
Zoey Hawthorne, Group Director of Development at Karbon Homes, said:
“This redevelopment of Athol House has seen us regenerate an outdated sheltered scheme that didn’t meet the wants and needs of today’s residents, into a modern, high quality and aspirational scheme.
“It’s fantastic to see residents settling into what we believe is a real asset to Ponteland, helping meet the ever-growing demand for affordable housing options for over 55s.”
The scheme, built by lead contractor Equans and designed by JDDK Architects, is focused around community, with the 34 apartments designed around a number of internal and external communal spaces to help facilitate social interaction.
The externals of the building are in keeping with the look and feel of the village, since the site sits just outside the Ponteland conservation area, and the site redevelopment has helped improve the overall street scene on Callerton Lane.
Jean Scott was a resident in the former Athol House for 15 years and has returned to one of the two-bed apartments in the scheme.
Jean said:
“Schemes like this are reassuring when you’re on your own. There’s always someone around if there’s an emergency so you’re covered, you’re safe. That feels comforting for me and without it, I worry my independence would start to slip.
“I was really pleased when they reassured us that we’d get priority if we wanted to move back when the redevelopment was complete. I’d fallen in love with Ponteland and didn’t want to leave.
“It’s completely transformed the area and the building looks gorgeous.
“I’ve got a lovely corner plot on the ground floor with a lovely balcony, and I can look out the window at the beautiful landscaping and watch the world go by. I love it and I’m so glad to be back home.”
The new Athol House is also highly energy efficient, with a communal green heating system powered by commercial air source heat pumps, supplying the communal areas and each apartment with underfloor heating and hot water.
The system is not only helping to reduce the carbon footprint of the new building but will also play a role in helping reduced residents energy costs.
Zoey added: We’re particularly excited about the inclusion of a low carbon heating system in the scheme. This is the first time we’ve incorporated a heating system of this kind, and demonstrates our commitment to delivering not only affordable, but greener, more sustainable and efficient housing.”