A project to transform three blocks of flats in the Foxhill area of Bath has been completed thanks to a £5 million investment.
New residents move into Bradford Park | Photo © Freia Turland
48 flats at Bradford Park have been refurbished to create homes fit for the future and Bath-based housing association Curo has welcomed the first new residents into the previously vacant properties.
The extensive project saw Mi-space, part of the Midas Group, install new kitchens, bathrooms and gas boilers as well as completing fire safety improvements and a full electrical re-wire.
The company also fitted new flooring, updated plasterwork and joinery and redecorated across the three blocks.
New roofs and windows on all three buildings will offer improved natural lighting and ventilation, as well as better insulation and energy efficiency, leading to reduced costs for residents.
Work also included the reconfiguration of communal areas, improvements to hard and soft landscaped areas, remodelling of bin stores and the installation of new intercom systems.
Wayne Ward, Regeneration Programme Manager at Curo said: “I’m delighted to welcome residents to the newly refurbished Bradford Park flats.
“At Curo, ensuring our homes are safe, healthy, affordable and warm is a priority and we’re investing more money than ever before in improving our existing homes through refurbishment projects like this.
“In designing and carrying out this work at Bradford Park, we’ve listened carefully to residents’ priorities and worked closely with the local community.
“The refurbishment has transformed the buildings inside and outside and will make these homes warmer and more energy efficient for residents.”
Local primary teacher Samira Hussein moved into her new two-bedroom home at Bradford Park in September with her newly born twins, Maleek and Alima.
Samira said: “I’d been staying with my mum in Midsomer Norton but I knew I couldn’t stay on once my twins were born. The move happened just in time and I’m really happy to have my own place.
“I have never before moved into somewhere with such an amazing finish and in such good condition. I think that’s what I like most about my new home.
“I hope that people will look after the building and I’m looking forward to meeting my new neighbours as more people move in.”
AJ Eaton, Director at Mi-space, said: “Despite the restrictions caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, we are proud to have delivered this project safely, having worked closely with residents, the wider community and our customer, Curo Group.
“The transformation is impressive and we are really pleased to complete the refurbishment of Bradford Park flats, which will deliver widespread benefits to its residents for years to come.
“We have worked hard to ensure that as well as bringing a new lease of life to the properties, we have created a positive impact on the local community by maximising local employment through the project and developing the skills of our workforce on site.”
Matthew Mayes, architect director in global design practice BDP’s Bristol studio added: “Bradford Park Flats is an exemplar project showing how dated buildings can be given a new lease of life, to provide safe, heathy, affordable, and sustainable homes and regenerate a thriving community.
“This major renovation will give residents more natural light with floor to ceiling energy efficient windows, completely remodelled internal layouts designed around modern family life and substantially improved energy efficiency with new heating systems, insulation and brickwork.”
