Member Article

South Tyneside estate receives major maintenance programme

One hundred and three South Tyneside Homes’ properties on The Lonnen housing estate in South Shields have recently benefited from a major maintenance programme.

The properties have been fitted with new cavity wall insulation funded through a successful partnership bid made by South Tyneside Council, Warm up North, South Tyneside Warmzone and South Tyneside Homes to the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) ‘Fuel Poverty Fund’. The partnership received £98,700 to deliver this work and other energy efficiency measures to homes across South Tyneside.

A couple whose home received an insulation upgrade were Anne and John Davison. They have been in their current house for over 5-years. John, aged 67, is a retired Council Worker who is South Shields born and bred. They have three grown up children and 4 grandchildren.

John talks about the work that has been done to his property. He said: “I believe the improvements will greatly benefit my home, by hopefully helping to reduce our heating bills and generally protect the property from things like dampness.”

Anne, aged 64, is a part time office worker. She said: “The new insulation will certainly keep the house nice and warm during the colder nights, which is a really important to us and anything that can save us money is a bonus.”

Councillor Jim Foreman, Lead Member for Housing and Transport, and Chair of South Tyneside Homes’ Great Services Committee said: “I think it’s great to see the current improvements being made to the various homes on The Lonnen estate. It assists in providing tenants with a sound heating environment and it’s hoped to help reduce annual energy bills.

“We welcomed this funding opportunity given to us, and we will look to explore additional funding options available to us to complete the overall upgrading programme.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by South Tyneside Council .