Helping to reduce the number of empty homes in the capital
Durkan are extensively refurbishing over 250 properties in the Bounds Green area of North London, as part of the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) on-going drive to reduce the number of empty homes in the capital.
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The £10 million contract, awarded by Notting Hill Housing Trust, includes the internal and external refurbishment of houses and flats, complete with new kitchens and bathrooms, bringing them up to affordable living standards by Spring 2012. For decades, houses along the Bounds Green stretch of the A406, North Circular Road have fallen into disrepair, remaining dilapidated, empty or attracting squatters. On top of this, problems with fly tipping, neglect, and overgrown vegetation have made some of the homes in the Bounds Green area uninhabitable. Originally built over 80 years ago, the homes were bought by the Government in the Seventies to allow for a major expansion of the A406. The plan was abandoned but the homes remained empty, and were inherited by Transport for London (TfL) in 2000. Many of the homes were left uninhabitable and no money was invested in their repair. In October 2010, the homes were transferred to Notting Hill Housing Trust (NHHT) who have contracted Durkan to refurbish and upgrade 280 of the 400 homes to become affordable housing. The wider redevelopment of the area will include improvements to the A406, new community facilities and revitalised shopping areas.
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