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Planning applications have been submitted for a new public square off Nuttall Street and a pocket park off Booth Street.
Woodnook Square, a formal hard landscaped space flanked by new trees, will be built on the cleared Priestly Nook site off Nuttall Street. The plans create a flexible space that can be used for a range of community events and will be managed by PlaceFirst. The proposed square will also create an attractive ‘front door’ to Woodnook Community Centre, a building previously hidden behind a [demolished] block of flats. Trinity Community Church, who run the community centre, are currently refurbishing the building which will offer a wider programme of events and rooms that can be used by local groups and societies.
On Booth Street, where a row of dilapidated terraced houses once stood, PlaceFirst are proposing a small park overlooked by new homes. The park will feature a young children’s play area, and a private residents garden including BBQ facilities and opportunities for local residents to ‘grow their own’ plants and vegetables. The park will be managed by PlaceFirst.
PlaceFirst expect to start groundworks on both sites imminently to prepare them ahead of obtaining the necessary planning approval. In addition to the new public spaces, PlaceFirst will also deliver a range of street improvements across the Phase 1 area including new street trees, improved lighting and signage, and reconfigured on-street parking.
The regeneration of Woodnook is being delivered through a joint venture between PlaceFirst and Together Housing Group, in partnership with Hynburn Borough Council. The new homes in Woodnook are being built for market rent, delivering high quality homes and a professional landlord service to the growing number of households who now live in private rented sector.
PlaceFirst have completed and let 34 of the 64 homes in Phase 1 and will be releasing a mix of 2, 3, & 4-bedroom family homes across Royds Street and Booth Street over July and August.
Phase 2 comprises the comprehensive refurbishment of 60 empty homes ‘pepper-potted’ across the wider Woodnook area. PlaceFirst completed the first ten homes in December 2013 and are currently preparing plans for the next 20 homes which they anticipate starting work on this Summer.
David Smith-Milne, Managing Director of PlaceFirst said, “The proposed new public spaces in Woodnook will compliment the new homes we are building and provide high quality, publicly accessible spaces that will benefit the wider Woodnook community.
“In a neighbourhood of ‘back of footpath’ terraced housing, we always felt it was important to provide some quality public space that can widen the appeal of Woodnook beyond housing alone; as build-to-rent developers we place significant importance on quality public realm as these are the spaces where people meet and communities are formed”.
Clare Cleary, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regeneration and Housing said, “We are delighted with the transformation being delivered by PlaceFirst in Woodnook. The new spaces will introduce some much needed open space into the Woodnook neighbourhood and at the same complement the ongoing works to refurbish many long-term empty homes”.
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]]>The post Woodnook, Accrington – First customers move into transformed victorian terraces appeared first on Placefirst Latest News.
]]>The first customers have begun moving into main phase of a major regeneration project at Woodnook, Accrington.
The project, which is creating a vibrant family oriented neighbourhood just a few minutes from the town centre of Accrington, is being delivered through a joint venture between PlaceFirst and Together Housing Group, and in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council and The Homes & Communities Agency.
The joint venture is delivering 65 new family homes across three streets of remodelled Victorian terraces, and a further 60 refurbished homes ‘pepper-potted’ across the neighbourhood. In addition to improving housing choice, the investment includes a range of interventions including property facelifts to the main high street, a new public square, off-street parking and resident gardens.
Whilst the joint venture completed the first ten of its refurbished properties in December 2014, the first full terrace of ten remodelled homes were handed over on 24th July, with some customers moving in on the same day. Since it’s release on 24th July, three homes are now occupied and four are currently going through the final stages of the reservation process.
David Smith-Milne, Managing Director of PlaceFirst said, “It’s great to see the first families moving into their new homes at Woodnook. PlaceFirst and our partners have worked hard to create stylish, energy efficient homes that set new standards in private renting, and the market response has been very encouraging. Our customers include local families looking to upgrade their renting experience, and those new to Accrington, including doctors, dentists, and other professional households. The diversity of customer interest is very encouraging and demonstrates that our whole neighbourhood approach and commitment to quality is breathing new life in Woodnook”.
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]]>The post Placefirst, leading provider of fair value private rental homes opens doors to Woodnook show homes in Accrington appeared first on Placefirst Latest News.
]]>Families looking for a better private rental deal in East Lancashire will get the chance to view two show homes built by PlaceFirst, a leading provider in high quality, fair value rental properties.
Specialist build-to-rent developer PlaceFirst will be opening the doors to two show homes at Woodnook, Accrington where they are working in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council to deliver a £15m regeneration scheme that is transforming the neighbourhood through a range of housing and environmental improvements.
The Opend Day will take place on Saturday 11th April between 10am and 2pm. The address is 11 Hudson Street, Accrington, BB5 2HS.
In one of the largest residential schemes of its kind in the UK, PlaceFirst is transforming empty Victorian terraces across Woodnook into energy efficient 2, 3, and 4-bedroom family homes for private rent. Whilst the Victorian facades have been retained, the properties have been completely reconfigured internally to create attractive, spacious, brand new homes. 71 homes will be completely reconfigured with new internal layouts, whilst 60 homes will be refurbished to the same specification albeit within the existing internal layout. All homes feature a range of energy efficiency measure that will help customers to reduce their energy bills.
PlaceFirst completed ten refurbished homes in November 2014, all of which let within weeks of their release, and anticipate releasing new properties to rent from May 2015. Market interest continues to be strong and customers are now reserving homes ahead of the release in May.
In addition to new and refurbished homes, PlaceFirst is also delivering a range of property facelifts on Nuttall Street, the main street in Woodnook and home to a range of local shops and services. At the heart of Nuttall Street, there are plans for a brand new public square, which will open up the Woodnook Community Centre and provide a social and physical heart for the wider Woodnook community.
The Nuttall Street facelift is nearing completion and Hyndburn Council have recently approved funding for further facelifts across the neighbourhood with works due to commence in May/June 2015.
Public realm improvements to a number of streets will also be delivered, and there are plans for a new public square in the heart of Woodnook, adjacent to The Woodnook Centre and in close proximity to local shops.
Martin Ellerby, Head of New Business & Innovation at PlaceFirst commented: “The Open Day provides a great opportunity for families in the area to explore two great rental homes. PlaceFirst are committed to improving the quality of private renting and, at Woodnook, we are setting a new benchmark for fair value private renting. But Woodnook is about more than just new homes, in partnership with Hyndburn Borough Council, we are delivering a range of improvements across the neighbourhood including property facelifts, environmental improvements, and a new public square in the heart of the neighbourhood. The market response to date has been tremendous and customers are already reserving homes ahead of the second release in May”.
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]]>The post First tenants move into fair value rent homes in Woodnook, Accrington appeared first on Placefirst Latest News.
]]>First residents move into £15m regeneration scheme.
Kristoff and Magda Grabowska are the first tenants to move into a newly refurbished family home in Woodnook, Accrington.
The couple, who hail from Poland and have lived in Accrington for over five years, moved into a property on Nuttall Street on a six-month assured shorthold tenancy (AST) agreement.
They are the first family to occupy what will be 131 family homes being created by PlaceFirst and joint venture partner Together Housing Group by transforming dilapidated empty terraced properties into energy efficient two, three and four-bed family homes for fair value private rent.
Mr and Mrs Grabowska, who have three children, chose the property because the interior of their new home was brand new and more spacious than their previous home, and were attracted to Woodnook because of the regeneration of the neighbourhood and it’s convenient location.
The couple and their children were welcomed into their new home by Yvonne Hinds, Neighbourhood Coordinator for Woodnook, and Rachael Bryenton, Leasehold Officer at Together Housing Group. In addition to taking possession of their new home, Kristoff & Magda were presented with a welcome hamper to the value of £50.
Ten properties around Woodnook have now been fully refurbished, including one, two, and three bedroom homes. Four properties are already let with market strong interest on the remaining 6. Discover Property Management, a local Accrington business are working with PlaceFirst and Together Housing Group on a marketing strategy for the homes.
The next release of homes is due to occur in February 2015, and includes a mix of brand new two, three, and four bedroom homes built within the shell of traditional Victorian terraces.
More than 150 registrations of interest to date and a number of application forms submitted for the next release in February.
In addition to the new homes, PlaceFirst is delivering a property facelift project on Nuttall Street, Woodnook which will create an attractive gateway into the area and help support local shops and businesses.
Hyndburn Borough Council has approved further facelift projects in Woodnook and anticipate delivery in 2015.
Public realm improvements to a number of streets will also be delivered, and there are plans for a new public square in the heart of Woodnook, adjacent to The Woodnook Centre and in close proximity to local shops.
Martin Ellerby, Head of New Business & Innovation at Manchester-based PlaceFirst, said: “This is a landmark moment for PlaceFirst and Together Housing Group as we welcome our first customers to Woodnook. Over the next 12 months or so we will see continued regeneration right across this community and the future is looking bright for 2015. We wish Kristoff, Magda and their young family many happy times in their new home.
We believe that the homes we are building set a new benchmark in fair value private rent. Along with our joint venture partners at Together Housing Group, we are not only delivering great homes, but a professional, courteous landlord service for our customers.
“The scale of what we’re doing in Woodnook is transformational and we’re very grateful for the continued support of Hyndburn Borough Council.”
Kevin Ruth, Together Housing Group Deputy Chief Executive, added: “We’re delighted to see the first tenants move into this new development and we hope they’re very happy in their new home.
“This development is as much about people as it is about the regeneration of the area. We hope Kristoff, Magda and their children enjoy their first Christmas in their new home.”