Press Release

New look for Oxney House

17/05/2004
Ref: pr 0048

Chelmer Housing Partnerships' retirement scheme, Oxney House in Writtle, will be totally remodelled to provide residents with more space, comfort and enhanced facilities.

"CHP has five retirement schemes with shared bathing facilities and Oxney House is the first to be remodelled," said James Henderson, Head of Asset Management. "These changes were part of the promises to tenants on transfer but as landlords, we have a responsibility to meet the Government's Decent Homes Standard and to bring them up-to-date by providing modern facilities."

The package of works includes converting the nineteen bed-sits into twelve one-bedroom apartments - each will have their own bathroom. Improvements to communal facilities are also planned to help encourage more social activities and improve quality of life for residents.

A passenger lift will also be installed to ensure schemes are more suitable for the less able residents and visiting guests. "The lift will make life a lot easier for residents," said Barbara Cox, Community Housing Officer at Oxney. "Some residents have been forced to move because they can no longer manage the stairs. They're really looking forward to having more privacy and personal facilities."

Whilst the work is carried out residents of Oxney House have been re-housed in other CHP properties near-by, or vacant dwellings within the unit. "CHP have facilitated all the residents moves and residents are generally very excited and positive about the changes," said James.

ENDS

Editors Notes:

• Works will be carried out by FJ Capon and project managed by EC Harris.
• Work started at the beginning of May and is due to be completed by December 2004.
• Four of the five schemes with shared facilities will be remodelled by 2006.
• Before photo's available
• For more information contact Lynn Hawkins 01245 613152, or James Henderson 01245 613103.