OLDER people at Wybourn, Sheffield, showed guests around their brand-new eco-apartments and bungalows, developed by Great Places Housing Group.
New homes at Yorkstone Close, officially launched with a ribbon cutting with residents and project partners, are part of Great Places’ £27m transformation of the neighbourhood, under way since a stock transfer ballot three years ago.
Hundreds of family homes have been revamped with new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors and pastel-coloured render.
Now new flats and bungalows, funded by the Homes and Communities Agency, have been added to the choice of homes available to rent in the area.
They have been let to older people who asked for smaller, lower-maintenance properties.
The bungalows have environmentally-friendly green roofs and electricity-generating photovoltaic panels that keep heating bills low.
A total of four bungalows and six apartments, each with two bedrooms have been built at a cost of £1.2m, on the corner of Manor Oaks Road and Manor Oaks Place.
They are the first new homes for Wybourn since the neighbourhood was built in the 1930s. New residents were chosen before the building work, by contractor Frank Haslam Milan, was complete, and they were able to pick finishes for kitchens, bathrooms and front doors.
The name Yorkstone Close was inspired by the local stone used at the development, designed by Ian Finlay Architects.
Johnnie and Ann Davis, aged 68 and 59, moved to a new bungalow after 18 years in a two-bedroom home nearby.
Johnnie said: “When Great Places first told us about these bungalows we were really excited. Getting packed to move was stressful but we felt settled in by our second day. It’s been great because we haven’t had any decorating to do.”
Ann adds: “We’ve found we only need to use three of the radiators and the photovoltaic panel is saving us money. At our old house, we used to be frightened of the cost of putting the heating on.
“The smallest bedroom here is larger than the largest one at our old house. I’m enjoying not carting the Hoover up and down stairs.”
Johnnie continues: “Our daughter says she thinks moving here is the best thing we’ve ever done, and we agree with her!”
Brian and Ann-Marie Burke, aged 71 and 70, were pleased to move to a two-bedroom bungalow.
Ann-Marie, whose sister Beatrice and her husband also live at Yorkstone Close, said: “Everyone’s amazed at how big the bungalows are inside. The hallway is massive and the garden is a good size.
“The shop and the bus stop are outside, meaning no more trailing up and down, which is good for me because I’m asthmatic. I’m also waiting for two knee replacements so not having stairs is fantastic.
“We have a walk-in shower and we’ve turned our second bedroom into a dining room.
"We already knew the neighbours when we moved here because we met during the building process. They are smashing. We all get on really well and we help each other, which is another good thing.”
Ann-Marie was a sewing machinist before she retired and Brian worked as a lagger for power stations.
Ann Stephenson, 67, loves her first floor flat. Ann said: “The house felt a bit big for me but this apartment is fantastic.
"The view across the area is great. I can see all the way to Shire Green. I’ve got a big bathroom, a little dining area and I feel really safe.”
Great Places’ chief executive, Stephen Porter, said: “We’re delighted that the new residents are settling in so well, and are enjoying their new homes. This is all part of our work to make Wybourn a great place to live.”
Rob Pearson, head of area at the Homes and Communities Agency said: “We are delighted that we have helped our partners create these new homes where the tenants want to live and can afford to do so.”
Cllr Penny Baker, Sheffield City Council’s cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said: “We are committed to helping our residents to reduce their carbon footprint and to making Sheffield a low-carbon city, and these new homes in Wybourn are a great example.
“It’s great to see green and sustainable housing become a reality for more ordinary Sheffield residents in developments like this.”