Derker home owners give thumbs up to improvement work
16th October 2006
Residents today told how refurbishments have modernised their homes and brightened up their streets.
The Oldham Rochdale Housing Market Renewal Pathfinder has invested nearly £2.5 million on the upgrades to homes in Derker. The improvements have included new double glazed windows, doors, gutters, paving stones, chimney stack repairs and boundary walls.
Michael O’Donnell, a grandfather-of-eight who has lived in his Kingston Avenue terraced house with wife Maureen for 42 years said: “It has made a big difference. We’ve had new windows, railings, flag stones in the garden and a new front door. I’m happy with the work. The area needs it; times change and we have to keep up and move with them.”
Mary Taylor, 76, has lived on Vulcan Street for 40 years. She said: “I’m happy with the improvements; the street looks so much tidier. These houses are very old, so it is a lot warmer now with the new double glazed windows.”
George Oddie, 91, also praised the refurbishments: “It's been a good thing and I'm very pleased with how the work has turned out. The foreman and his men have been very helpful'. George and his wife, Rosie, 87, have lived on French Avenue for more than fifty years.
Housing Market Renewal aims to improve the prosperity of Derker through a package of initiatives including building new homes, refurbishments and environmental improvements. So far, refurbishment work has been completed on 80 homes in the area, work on a further 85 is in progress and McInerney Homes are building 73 energy efficient properties at Stoneleigh, on Vulcan Street – the first of many new homes planned for Derker.
Research shows that without a better mix of housing, residents will leave the area in search of a better choice elsewhere and this could create a downward spiral.
Derker Councillor Jackie Stanton said: “I’ve heard lots of positive feedback about the impact the improvements are having. They undoubtedly improve the look of the streets and will increase the value of homes. The regeneration of Derker will take time, but we can see that the investment is making a difference.”
Photo: Rosie and George Oddie outside their refurbished home (French Avenue, Derker, Oldham)