Member Article

County Durham Housing Group completes work at Georgian site

Renovation work at an historic Georgian building found in Durham city centre has reached completion.

In a project undertaken by County Durham Housing Group, which supported local jobs, the Church Street building - which dates back to 1759 - has been given a new lease of life after years of disfigurement.

Installing new timber framed sash windows, produced in County Durham by Coxhoe Timber Services, the building has returned to its original state aesthetically whilst new double glazing has gained the praise of tenants.

Building Surveyor from County Durham Housing Group, Daryl Reed, said: “The property is a really attractive example of Georgian construction. But, probably in the 1920s, some of the windows were replaced and repaired using more modern materials and techniques.

“When the more modern windows reached the end of their life we decided that it was only right to go the extra mile and do as much as we could to put the building back to its traditional appearance. We’re really pleased with the high quality of work we’ve been able to achieve.”

Tenant Margaret Bottoms, who has been living in Church Street for seven years, said: “The new windows are absolutely brilliant; we’ve been looking forward to having this work done for a long time. It feels so much warmer inside the house now.”

Roland Cubello, from Coxhoe Timber Services, added: “This has been a very complicated job needing a lot of detailed work; liaising with heritage experts, meeting the requirements of planning for a listed building and working in partnership with County Durham Housing Group. But the end result has been more than worth it, we’re very pleased with the job.”